2011
* "Japan-India Relations in the New Asia-Pacific Era" - Invitation Program for Indian Journalists
* Seminar "Rare metals and Japan’s natural resource security"
* Seminar "Innovation and creativity for successful new products and services"
* Seminar "Growing Japan-India Economic Relations"
* Seminar "China’s economic trends"
* Seminar "Factors for success in overseas public relations activities in the age of globalization"
* Lecture Meetings "Reorganization of the management structure at Komatsu - improving strengths and reforming weaknesses"
* Symposium "Leader Development and Leadership in Today’s Global Business Environment"
* Symposium "Corporate Strategy in Times of Globalization"
* Seminar "Is Change Coming? - A Preview of U.S. Politics and Policy in 2011"
2010
* Seminar "Prospects for the EU Economy and the Euro"
* Seminar "Post-crisis economic order and new monetary system"
* Lecture Meetings "Social contribution activities required of international corporations "
* Seminar"Japan-India EPA Trends and the Key to Successful Business with India"
* Seminar"New movements in the Chinese economy as it becomes world No. 2 - Chances and risks for Japanese companies"
* Symposium "Asia-Pacific Region’s Development and Future of APEC"
* Symposium "The Year 2010: Major Turning Point in US-Japan Relations"
* Symposium "The Social Market Economy in Europe and its Implications for Japanese Businesses"
* Seminar"Chinese companies’ globalization and overseas investment"
* Seminar "Insight to the Future: Dow Jones & Company’s Strategy"
* Seminar "Prospects of the London Market under the harmonization of the international finance"
* Seminar "The Comprehensive Asian Development Plan & ASEAN-Japan Partnership"
* Seminar "The Obama Administration’s Foreign Policy and U.S.-Japan Relations"
* Symposium "The Industrial Sector’s Initiative toward Achieving a Low-Carbon Society"
2009
* Symposium "Globalization of business cycle and role of monetary policy"
* Symposium "A New Era for Japan-US-China Relations"
* Symposium "Global Imbalance and the Role of the Dollar"
* Symposium "Dialogue with the CFR"
* Seminar "Post-crisis U.S. financial market and future prospects"
* Symposium "The Global Economic Crisis and Socio-Political Challenges"
* Seminar "How the future financial system should be"
* Symposium "How Should Japan Change amidst the World Financial and Economic Crisis"
2008
* Symposium "New U.S. President's Economic and Diplomatic Challenges and Japan-U.S. Relations"
* Symposium "What's Ahead for Stocks, Bonds, and the Economy: a Post Election Perspective from Wall Street"
* Seminar "New U.S. President and Japan-U.S. Relations"
* Seminar Global financial turmoil: Gulf states as "white knights"?
* Seminar "The 21st century corporation: a new model for a true sustainable growth"
* Seminar "US Policy Challenges in Asia - The Next 6 Months and Beyond"
* Luncheon Meeting "Changes in East Asia and U.S.-Japan Relations"
* Seminar"Prospects of U.S. Foreign Policy Under the New Administration and its Challenges"
* Seminar"How should Japan cope with the global reach of European Union regulations and standards?"
* Symposium"Can the Dynamism of Asia be Sustained?"
* Symposium"Who will the American Citizens Elect as President? -Looking at the Changes in American Society Through the Presidential Election-"
* Symposium"MEETING A RISING CHINA"
2007
* Seminar "Lisbon Treaty: Reflecting on the Present and Future of the European Union"
* Symposium "A Rapidly Changing World and the Future of Asia: Roles of Japan and the U.S."
* Symposium "Steps Towards Building an East Asian Community"
* Symposium "Changing Japan through doshu-sei"
* Seminar "The Presidential Election in France and its Possible Impact on the EU"
* Seminar "Present and Future of Corporate Governance in the U.S. and Europe"
* Symposium "Economic Integration in East Asia and its Implications for Japan and the United States"
* Symposium "U.S. Economic Strategy and U.S.-Japan Relations"
* Kyoto Protocol Symposium "Aiming to achieve the Kyoto Protocol targets - concerted efforts needed to stop global warming"
* Seminar "R&D Strategy in Asian Market (esp., in China)"
* Lecture by Lawrence J. Lau, Vice Chancellor, Professor of economics, the Chinese University of Hong Kong
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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, November 29th, 2010
More work needed to fix global financial system

Date: December 15th, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speaker: Hervé Carré Former Director General at the European Commission
Commentator: Atsushi Nakajima Chief Economist and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Mizuho Research Institute

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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, December 27, 2010
Rough 2011 in store as imbalances rock economic tower of babel

Date: December 9, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speakers: Paola Subacchi, Research Director, International Economics, the Royal Institute of International Affairs
Commentator: Soko Tanaka, Professor, Chuo University

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"

Date: November 23, 2010
Place: Shanghai, China

Speakers: Mr. Nobuo Tateisi, Advisor, Keizai Koho Center / Executive Advisor, Omron Corp.

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"

Date: October 5, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speakers: Mr. Ke Long, Senior Fellow, Economic Research Center, Fujitsu Research Institute

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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, October 28, 2010
APEC needs to find growth amid new global landscape

Date: September 27, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Opening Remarks:
Katsuaki Watanabe
Vice Chairman, Nippon Keidanren, Keizai Koho Center
Chairman, Support Council for ABAC-Japan
Vice Chairman and Representative Director, Toyota Motor Corporation
Koichiro Gemba
Minister of State for National Policy
Minister of State for the New Public Commons
Chair, Policy Research Committee, Democratic Party of Japan
President, Japan APEC Promotion Parliamentary League
Keynote speaker:
Muhamad Noor Yacob
Executive Director, APEC
Speakers:
Murray McLean OAM
Australian Ambassador to Japan
Yoshihiro Watanabe
Member of APEC Business Advisory Council
Advisor, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ
Bruce J. Ellsworth
Member of the Board of Governors and Co-Chairman of the APEC Task Force, ACCJ
Director, Government Affairs Japan, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies
Brendan Berne
Assistant Secretary, APEC, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
Speaker & Moderator:
Yorizumi Watanabe
Professor, Keio University

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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, September 24, 2010
New vision of Japan-U.S. ties needed at key turning point

Date: August 27, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speakers: Kent Calder, Director and Professor, Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), The Johns Hopkins University
William Brooks, Adjunct Professor, Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), The Johns Hopkins University
Commentator: Hiroyuki Akita, Senior Writer, Nikkei

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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, July 10, 2010
Crisis a chance for consolidation

Date: June 18, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Keynote speakers: Michael Eilfort, Honorary Professor of Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen / Board of the Market Economy Foundation Berlin
Naohiro Yashiro, Professor, International Christian University

Speakers (Introductory statements): Martin Schulz, Economist, Fujitsu Research Institute
Sahoko Kaji, Professor, Keio University
Moderator: Mikio Sugeno, Editorial Writer, Senior Staff Writer, Financial News Dept., NIKKEI Inc.

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"

Date: June 8, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speakers: Mr. Zhu Yan, Professor, Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Takushoku University

100708At 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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, June 14, 2010
Shift to charging for online news inevitable, Dow Jones chief says

Date: June 7, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speakers: Mr. Les Hinton, Chief Executive Officer of Dow Jones & Company and Publisher of The Wall Street Journal
 

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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, June 14, 2010
Coalition no threat to City, Anstee says

Date: May 28, 2010
Place: Tokyo

Speakers: Alderman Nick Anstee, Lord Mayor of the City of London
 
Commentator: Masaaki Kanno, Managing Director and Chief Economist, J.P. Morgan

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"

Related link:
Japan Times article, May 22, 2010
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


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.


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Seminar
"The Obama Administration's Foreign Policy and U.S.-Japan Relations"

Related link:
Japan Times article, May 15, 2010
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

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.
In a panel discussion, Richard C. Bush said that it appears "highly unlikely" that the North Korean leadership will give up its nuclear weapons. He stressed that it is important to ensure North Korea′s smooth transition of power to the next leadership while trying to persuade it to return to the six-party talks. Referring to the Iranian situation, Kenneth Pollack warned that if Tehran continues its nuclear development, fears of nuclear proliferation to neighboring countries will increase. There is also a fear that Iran′s nuclear weapons may be handed over to terrorists, he said, noting that there is the possibility of the Obama administration moving to impose sanctions on Iran. Professor Fumiaki Kubo commented that the current Japanese leadership′s lack of proper understanding of the Japan-U.S. alliance is one reason for the current confusion in bilateral relations. A total of 480 people attended the symposium.


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Symposium
"The Industrial Sector′s Initiative toward Achieving a Low-Carbon Society"

Related link:
Japan Times article, April 27, 2010
Japan needs green tech investment

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.
Then a panel discussion was held with officials from the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan, the Japan Chemical Industry Association, the Japan Gas Association, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, and Nippon Keidanren. They exchanged views mainly about the promotion of measures to counter global warming by using state-of-the-art technologies and requests to the government. About 300 people attended the symposium.


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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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