2011
2010
| Routine Activities |
| * | International Dialogue Promotion Group Activities |
| * | Serial Lectures at Major Universities in Japan |
| * | Club for Dialogue with Opinion Leaders |
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| Seminar |
| "Prospects for the EU Economy and the Euro" |
More work needed to fix global financial system
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Hervé Carré, former deputy director-general of the Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission who also served as director-general of the Eurostat, gave the above lecture on November 15. Mr. Carré stressed that through innovation and structural renovation, the eurozone economy would not fall into a negative growth, although deflation risks exist. As to the future of the EU, Mr. Carré noted its solidarity will remain intact even if economic difficulties lay ahead, since the concept of “creating a warless community,” the starting point of the EU, is shared by all its member states. Mr. Atsushi Nakajima, chief economist and senior managing executive officer at Mizuho Research Institute, served as the commentator, and noted that global current account imbalance has triggered financial problems including the rise of financial bubbles in emerging economies. He also said the history of the Great Depression suggests that the world economy, especially those of advanced nations, will take a considerable time to recover. Some 110 people attended. |
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| Seminar |
| "Post-crisis economic order and new monetary system" |
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Rough 2011 in store as imbalances rock economic tower of babel
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The above seminar was held on December 9, with Paola Subacchi, research director for international economics at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, popularly known as Chatham House, as the main speaker. Soko Tanaka, professor of economics at Chuo University, served as a commentator. Comparing the robust growth of emerging economies with the faltering advanced economies, Subacchi talked positively about the debate on rebalancing the world economy at the G20 summit in Seoul. She also pointed out that the quantitative easing policy adopted by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board was applying pressure on emerging economies’ currencies, arousing what may be viewed as a "currency war." Professor Tanaka commented that whether or not rebalancing the world’s current account balances will lead to economic recovery remains questionable. Some 100 people attended. |
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| Lecture Meetings at Leading Universities in China |
| "Social contribution activities required of international corporations" |
At a commemorative event on Nov. 23 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Center for Japanese Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, Nobuo Tateisi, an advisor to the Keizai Koho Center, delivered a speech on subjects including Japanese companiesf efforts on corporate social responsibility activities and the need for such social responsibility on the part of Chinese firms.Participants asked many questions about concrete examples of CSR activities and the need for a corporate philosophy, which led to active exchanges of views. The event helped Chinese students enhance their understanding of the Japanese economy and the management of Japanese enterprises. |
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| Seminar |
| " Japan-India EPA Trends and the Key to Successful Business with India " |
| Date: | November 8, 2010 |
| Place: | Tokyo |
| Speakers: |
Masanori Kondo, Senior Associate Professor, International Christian University Hidemi Mori, Former Trade & Investment Advisor, JETRO and Former President, Mitsui India Pvt., Ltd. |
| During the seminar held November 8 on the theme, "Japan-India EPA Trends and key to Successful Business with India", Mr. Masanori Kondo, a senior associate professor of the International Christian University, explained the outline of the bilateral economic partnership agreement and benefits to be brought to Japan through the conclusion of the agreement, as well as current conditions and issues related to India’s infrastructure development. He was followed Mr. Hidemi Mori, a former trade and investment advisor of JETRO who formerly served as president of Mitsui India Pvt., Ltd. His lecture touched on India’s history that he said provides the basis for understanding the country’s society and culture. A subsequent Q&A session gave the participants from the floor to ask questions on issues to be noted in doing business in India. Some 200 people attended. |
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| Seminar |
| "New movements in the Chinese economy as it becomes world No. 2 - Chances and risks for Japanese companies" |
 At the above seminar on Oct. 5, Ke Long discussed China's economy in the wake of the financial crisis, its future direction and its possibility for sustainable growth, analyzing the long-term structural issues and growing disparity problem in the Chinese economy. |
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| Symposium |
| "Asia-Pacific Region’s Development and Future of APEC" |
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APEC needs to find growth amid new global landscape
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On September 27, Keizai Koho Center hosted the above symposium, together with Nippon Keidanren. The invited speakers and panellists held active discussion on such topics as the current situation and future of APEC, and the expected role of Japan, ahead of the APEC Summit meeting held in Yokohama in November. The symposium was moderated by Professor Yorizumi Watanabe of Keio University. Some 160 people attended.
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| Symposium |
| "The Year 2010: Major Turning Point in US-Japan Relations" |
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New vision of Japan-U.S. ties needed at key turning point
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On August 27, Keizai Koho Center organized a symposium on Japan-U.S. Relations jointly with the School of Advanced Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, invited Adjunct Prof. William Brooks and Director Kent Calder of the Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, SAIS as speakers.. The speakers, both experts on U.S.-Japan issues, expressed concern that anxieties over the domestic political situation in Japan and the Futenma problem may be interfering with the fulfillment of the wider role invested in the U.S. and in Japan. The speakers also pointed out the lack of sufficient dialogue between the two heads of states and the need for greater efforts to promote mutual interest. They also expressed hope for strong Japanese leadership in areas such as environment and technology, and in dealing with countries such as Indonesia and Iran, with which Japan has friendly relations. About 100 people participated in this symposium. |
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| Symposium |
| "The Social Market Economy in Europe and its Implications for Japanese Businesses" |
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Crisis a chance for consolidation
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On June 18, Keizai Koho Center held the above symposium at the Keidanren Kaikan, jointly with joint hosts Japanese-German Center Berlin and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. As the keynote speekers, Dr. Michael Eilfort, Honorary Professor of Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, and a member of the Board of the Market Economy Foundation Berlin, spoke about "The Social Market Economy in Europe," while Professor Naohiro Yashiro of International Christian University spoke about "Market Economy and the Safety-Net in Japan." The panel discussion was moderated by Mikio Sugeno, Nikkei Inc.’s Editorial Writer and Senior Staff Writer. Brief presentations by Dr. Martin Schulz, Economist at the Fujitsu Research Institute, and Professor Sahoko Kaji of Keio University, opened the panel discussion, joined by Professors Eilfort and Yashiro. The discussants compared the current status and challenges of market economy in Japan and Europe, and exchanged views on the balance between free competition and safety net, as well as other issues, toward solving various challenges that both countries face. Some 150 people attended. |
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| Seminar |
| "Chinese companies' globalization and overseas investment" |
 At the above seminar on July 8, professor Zhu Yan said the following: "China's foreign direct investment has reached $50 billion to $60 billion per year, which is equivalent to that of Japan during its bubble boom. The reasons behind the expansion of outward investment include the development of China's economy, an increase in foreign currency reserves, corporate growth and globalized management of Chinese businesses, acquisition of resources due to increasing demand and overseas production to avoid trade disputes."
He added, "The major investment area is Asia, including Hong Kong, and it is primarily conducted by state-owned enterprises. Investment is increasing mainly due to the acquisition, at lower cost, of companies that have run into financial difficulties, especially after the financial crisis." In terms of Chinese investment to Japan, he said that "though it is still on a small scale, it is expanding." |
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| Seminar |
| "Insight to the Future: Dow Jones & Company′s Strategy" |
| Shift to charging for online news inevitable, Dow Jones chief says |
At the symposium June 7, Les Hinton discussed the future of the media industry and his company′s business strategy.
He stressed that content itself is of utmost importance to media businesses, noting moves for charging for the online distribution of news and other materials will continue to spread. He also referred to the importance of localization amid the global environment. A Japanese-language version of The Wall Street Journal, launched in December last year, got off to a very good start while Japan Real Time, a new English-language site, will be established in June to distribute Japan-related information around the world, according to Hinton. He stressed that Dow Jones will continue to invest in Asia, including Japan. About 150 people attended the symposium. |
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| Seminar |
| "Prospects of the London Market under the harmonization of the international finance" |
| Coalition no threat to City, Anstee says |
 On May 28, the above seminar was held at Keidanren Kaikan. In his speech, Alderman Nick Anstee, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, pointed as the strength of the London market to such features as its openness with no barriers, abundance of capable human resources, and the well-developed infrastructure in legal, accounting and information technology areas. He then stressed that the City of London will continue efforts to maintain and further develop its competitive advantage in close cooperation with the European Union and the Group of 20 countries.
Referring to the credit uneasiness spreading among some of the euro zone financial markets, Mr. Anstee said it is necessary to address the issue in international cooperation and that it will take considerable time to find a solution. Masaaki Kanno, managing director and chief economist at J.P. Morgan, served as commentator. Some 100 people attended.
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| Seminar |
| "The Comprehensive Asian Development Plan & ASEAN-Japan Partnership" |
| Japan urged to drive further Asian integration |
| Date: | May 20, 2010 |
| Place: | Tokyo |
| Speakers: | Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General, ASEAN |
| Moderator | Fukunari Kimura, Professor, S Faculty of Economics, Keio University |
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| Seminar |
| "The Obama Administration's Foreign Policy and U.S.-Japan Relations" |
| Japan, U.S. need closer cooperation |
| Date: | April 26, 2010 |
| Place: | Tokyo |
| Organizers: | Nikkei Inc., Brookings Institution, Keizai Koho Center |
| Keynote Speaker: | Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution |
| Panelists: |
Richard C. Bush, Director, Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, Brookings Institution Kenneth Pollack, head, Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution Fumiaki Kubo, Professor, University of Tokyo |
| Moderator: | Tsuyoshi Sunohara, Senior Staff Writer, Nikkei |
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| Symposium |
| "The Industrial Sector′s Initiative toward Achieving a Low-Carbon Society" |
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Japan needs green tech investment
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| Date: | March 23, 2010 |
| Place: | Tokyo |
On March 23, the above symposium was held jointly with the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) at Keidanren Kaikan. In an opening address, Masahiro Sakane, chairman of Komatsu Ltd. and head of Nippon Keidanren′s Committee on Environment and Safety, stated that efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions must be made not only by the industrial sector but by the whole nation. It is also important to establish a mechanism in which companies can strive for innovative technological development, he said. In a keynote speech, Kumi Fujisawa, vice president of think tank Sophia Bank, stressed that government, business and bureaucracy should work closely together to find a solution by using Japan′s excellent technology and capability. |
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| International Dialogue Promotion Group Activities |
| In September 1992 we established the International Dialogue Promotion Group to foster basic understanding of Japan and increase dialogue between the Japanese business community and the rest of the world. The group also aims to publicize that community's views on various key themes. Headed by KKC Acting Chairman Minoru Makihara, the group carries out English-language information activities to share the views not just of Japan's business community, but its academic and publishing spheres as well. |
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| Serial Lectures at Major Universities in Japan |
| These lectures give Japan's corporate leaders and specialists in other fields a chance to speak to today's students--tomorrow's economic actors--on topics ranging from the direction companies are now taking to the latest scientific and technological developments. The talks have been carried out at six universities in Japan since the program's launch in 1986. |
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| Club for with Opinion Leaders |
| This program provides the members of our survey network with chances to interface directly with academics, critics, and other opinion leaders, sharing views with them on areas recently covered by our surveys, such as social security or employment issues. |
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Copyright (C) 2011 Keizai Koho Center. All rights reserved |
On May 20, the above seminar was held at Keidanren Kaikan jointly with Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and Keizai Koho Center.
Keidanren Chairman Fujio Mitarai gave opening remarks on behalf of the hosts of the meeting, followed by a lecture by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Dr. Surin explained about the features and meanings of the Comprehensive Asian Development Plan, being worked out jointly by ASEAN, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In the speech, he said that the 16 countries in the East Asia grouping will become the new growth center of the world, and for that purpose, he stressed the importance of better connectivity among the 16 countriesf economies, or to interconnect more closely, in institutional and human as well as physical terms. He also said that under ongoing globalization, promoting the Comprehensive Asian Development Plan will lead to the further economic development not alone in ASEAN and East Asia, but of all over the world.
Professor Fukunari Kimura of Keio University, who is also ERIA chief economist, explained details of the Plan to supplement Dr. Surinfs speech. He pointed out that through building up regional infrastructure and promoting international division of labor in each of different production processes, some of such production processes can be retained also in Japan. As a result, Japan will also enjoy results of Asiafs growth. Some 140 people attended.
On April 26, the Keizai Koho Center organized the above symposium at Keidanren Kaikan jointly with the Brookings Institution and Nikkei Inc. In a keynote speech at the opening, Strobe Talbott took up the Futenma base relocation issue as a key problem in Japan-U.S. relations and voiced his strong fear that if Japan dilutes the strategic value of the U.S. military presence in Okinawa, the whole alliance could collapse. As to relations with China, he stressed that Japan and the United States should build truly cooperative relations in order to facilitate a forward-looking change in China.