The 2011 “kanji of the year” was Kizuna (絆). It reflects the spirit in which Japanese helped each other after the disasters. The direct translation in English - "bonds" - gives the impression that ties to others can be restrictive, an imposition on one's freedom, at least to Westerners who cherish individualism. The fact is we are almost all connected to others. I, the director, feel we have much to learn from the ways Japanese interact and think about others. That is the premise of my search for the meaning of Kizuna.