Hayao Kawai, one of Japan's leading clinical psychologists and the former head of a government advisory panel, emphasized the importance of fostering individuality among Japanese while admitting it is a difficult task in light of the nation's conformist culture.

"We should establish individuality, otherwise there will be no individuals to lead our country and no individuals to decide what to do," Kawai said Friday in a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in Tokyo.

Kawai, 72, former head of the Commission on Japan's Goals for the 21st Century under the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, said individuality tends to turn into egoism in Japan since the country does not have a history of individualism.

One of the greatest obstacles to increased individuality is the absence in Japan of the Christian ethic, which, he said, helps to foster individuality in the West.

Kawai also addressed the commission's proposal that Japan consider declaring English as its second official language.

He said that even though he used a relatively moderate tone in his report, the proposal was effective in stirring up public discussion.

Many opponents of the idea voiced concern that the Japanese identity may be lost, Kawai said.

But he responded that "real identity is what you have to establish in the future. In order to find our identity in the 21st century, we have to be open to the world."

Kawai said Japanese have to accept more foreigners and cultures from abroad and not simply stick to "the identity of the past."

The commission's report was submitted to Obuchi on Jan. 18, 2000.