[ Symposium and Lectures ]
Multilateral and Regional Trading Regimes for Global Welfare
The National Institute for Research Advancement and the Group of Policy Advisors of the European Commission held a joint workshop on Multilateral and Regional Trading Regimes for Global Welfare on October 25 and 26, 2001 in Brussels.
Conference Background
As part of NIRA's efforts to promote research exchange with Europe, where regional integration continues to intensify, this workshop was organized with the Group of Policy Advisors (GOPA). The GOPA reports to and advises the President of the European Commission. Being comprised of policy advisors, the GOPA places emphasis on policy recommendations.
With the advent of globalization, there are a growing number of issues common to both Asia and Europe. Given this circumstance, it has become more important to promote intellectual dialogues between the two regions and to reflect the opinions of academia in the policy-making. Approximately 30 participants including scholars, government officials, and journalists participated in this workshop from Europe and Asia, and had frank discussions. Commissioner Lamy, European Commission spoke to the workshop participants.
Theme and outline of discussions
As the WTO ministerial conference in Doha was scheduled in November soon after the workshop, the regional trade arrangements and WTO were addressed. The failure in the Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference led to numerous FTA discussions. These also include efforts aimed at intensifying the integration of the EU and its Eastward expansion. Additionally they include establishment of preferential trade with neighboring countries, negotiations by NAFTA to expand its organization through approving the entry of Central and Southern American nations, and negotiations developed in Asian countries to conclude bilateral free trade agreements. Given these trends, the theme of this workshop was set as "Multilateral and Regional Trading Regimes for Global Welfare" in order to clarify whether the relationship between regionalism and globalism is a stumbling bloc or whether the relationship is complementary. The outline of the discussions are as follows.
- First of all, the WTO needs to cope with remaining problems from Uruguay Round, such as anti-dumping. At the same time, in addition to the liberalization of trade, new and non-trade agendas are emerging: rule making in the field of investment, ecology and competition, electronic transactions, etc. In comparison with procedures required to lower custom rates, the procedures required for this objective are likely to be more complex. By taking in various new agendas into the WTO, nations would be able to make adjustments between their clashing interests. However, taking too many agendas on board would blur the focus of discussion in the WTO.
- The following issues are considered essential for the further development of the WTO. First, the WTO has to take developing countries' interests and concerns into account. Three-quarters of the WTO member nations are developing, but some of them are suspicious about the WTO's intensions to further promote liberalization. This is because these nations seem to believe that benefits were not distributed fairly to developing countries in the Uruguay Round. It is essential for industrialized nations to endeavor seriously to reduce the burden born by the developing.
Second, the WTO has respond to the concern of civil society. Citizens are concerned about how liberalization of trade will impact environmental preservation, food safety, and preservation of culture and tradition. Such anxieties were recently demonstrated through large-scale demonstrations conducted by NGOs. From this point of view, it is important to make efforts so that the opinions of NGOs will be reflected.
Third, smooth accession of China. It is the duty of WTO member countries to accept China into this multilateral trade system.
Fourth, treatment of the agricultural sector which demands special care in Japan, Europe, and also in the US. - The relationship between the WTO and regionalism may be referred to as "constructive tension." That means they have some factors of tension but overall they can be mutually complementary.
- From the European point of view, Europe is a model case of regionalism and now has a character of regional public good. It also contributes to the progress of the globalization.
- Regional integration should be distinguished from regional cooperation. And there are two types of integration: superficial and deep. Whereas superficial integration will focus on the economic level, the latter involves political issues and has larger impacts.
Europe -- Plodding towards Integration
On November 2 last year NIRA invited Prof. Andreas van Agt, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and European Union Ambassador to both the U.S. and Japan, as the guest speaker for the colloquium held under the above title. Although Europe succeeded in realizing large-scale and close integration, which no other region has ever achieved, Prof. Van Agt pointed out in his lecture that the path towards integration was rather rough. He also touched upon the fact that the future of European integration is faced with various challenges.
International Situation after the Multiple Terrorist Attacks
on Major U.S. Cities On September 11
The world was shook by the multiple terrorist attacks on major U.S. cities on September 11, 2001. The world changed drastically as of this date. On November 16, NIRA invited Dr. Yu Xin-Tian, President of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS), for a lecture. Through its network, SIIS has promoted close research exchanges with institutions from East and Central Asia. Dr. Wu Jinan, Director of SIIS Japanese Studies Division, who was in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, and Uzbekistan at the time of the terrorist attack, also gave a lecture concerning the Central Asia situation.
On November 20, a commendation ceremony for the Second Okita Commemorative Award for Policy Research was held at NIRA. Dr. Okita's widow, Mrs. Toshiko Okita, as well as many other guests, participated in the ceremony. NIRA's chairman Mr. Yotaro Kobayashi presented a prize of 1 million yen and a trophy to the winners of the award in the general publication section. The ceremony was followed with lectures given by the winners. The winners are Dr. Toru Morotomi, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Yokohama National University, Dr. Yoichi Mine, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Chubu University and Dr. Yukiko Hatanaka, Professor, Department of International Relations, Chubu University.
The award winning publications were selected from among those published between April 2000 and March 2001. This year's winner for regional policy research was unannounced.
Mr. Toru Morotomi, Dr. Yukiko Hatanaka, Dr. Yoichi Mine
[Winners of the general publications section]
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"Kankyo-zei no Riron to Jissai" (Theory and Practice of Environment Tax)
- By Toru Morotomi
- By Dr. Yoichi Mine and Dr. Yukiko Hatanaka
This publication first analyzes and evaluates environmental policies within the framework of a realistic policy mix. Second, the green tax reforms developed mainly in Europe are analyzed from the standpoint of its dynamics. Third, by examining how sewage rates are determined, the "principle of fund sharing" is analyzed from the viewpoint of environmental policies. Fourth, policy-making of international environmental policies is examined with reference to the Kyoto Protocol. Finally, based on these analyses, the role of "environment tax" is explored. (Published by Yuhikaku)
"Zo-o kara Wakai he Chiki Funso wo Kangaeru" (From Hatred to Reconciliation: Consideration of Local Conflicts)
With a focus on the twentieth century, a period when a huge number of refugees were created, this publication explores means to cease local conflicts, namely the factors that cause refugees. In addition, various attempts made with the aim of realizing reconciliation and coexistence among different races, ethnicities and confronting forces are presented. These include the multi-polar type government system adopted in South Africa, El Salvador's attempt to explore the truth and realize reconciliation by establishing a council and the peacemaking process in Northern Ireland. This is followed by an analysis of future perspectives. This publication also points out that global capitalism has created new factors causing instability such as poverty and social splits. Based on these analyses, it is insisted in this publication that a new plan needs to be established in which the present status of security is reflected. (Published by Kyoto Daigaku Shupankai)
[New Books]
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Center for Policy Research Information
YGP Tower 34F, 4-20-3, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-6034, Japan
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| Worldwide distribution All correspondence should be directed to:
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ISBN outside Japan 0-333-99415-9
NIRA's World Directory of Think Tanks provides a systematic introduction to the world's most prominent and innovative public policy research institutes, better known as think tanks. This completely revised edition contains up-to-date information available on 320 specially selected think tanks from 77 countries and regions. It also provides a convenient index of institutes by English names, acronyms and non-English names. This directory is an unusually detailed collection of carefully compiled information on public policy research institutes worldwide.
NIRA's World Directory of Think Tanks is an essential product of survey of think tanks conducted by the Center for Policy Research Information of the National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA). It provides global perspectives on policy research institutes in 'knowledge and network' societies. In this edition, an analysis of the collected data has been included as a preface and introduction to the world of global think tank community.
NIRA hopes that this project will help to promote the soft infrastructure for a global network of policy-oriented research institutions.
The Heisei Bubble Economy Study (Heisei Baburu no Kenkyu) (Part I & II)
Published by Toyo Keizai Inc.
Scheduled to be published in late January 2002
This book combines economic and political science disciplines, addressing various problems that arose from the fall of Japan's bubble economy in the midst of a major global transition and its aftershocks.
A wide range of topics are covered, including "why did the bubble economy occur?" and "when and who recognized the bubble economy?" The book also addresses various issues, such as the postponement of measures made by various organizations, the process of injecting public funds, public opinion movements and the mass media, and structural problems behind Japan's delayed treatment.
Themes of particular interest are: the tug of war between private and public finance observed in the 1980s and 1990s; the impact of the long-term low-interest policies that continued for two years and three months; the change in the role of international economy and finance behind these policies; and the public mentality at every level and class that inclined toward the bubble.
This book is the result of NIRA Research Project "Japan 1980-1999: A Reexamination of the Post-War Economy and Politics."
[ This book is available at bookstores. ]
[NIRA Topics]
- Citizen Participation in Land-Use Planning and Zoning - Diverse Values Creating an Affluent Society
[Shimin Sanka no Kokudo Dezain - Yutakasa wa Tayo na Kachikan Kara]
Edited by Yasuo Hibata. 332 pages. - Globalization and Human Security - Civil Society in Action
[Gurobaruka to Ningen no Anzenhosho - Kodo suru Shimin Shakai]
Edited by Makoto Katsumata. 401 pages. - The Formation of the East Asian Corridor - In Pursuit of Economic Coexistence
[Higashi Azia Kairo no Keisei - Keizai Kyosei no Tsuikyu]
Edited by NIRA's EAsia Research Group. 358 pages. - Exploring Japanese National Identity - Cultural Issues in the Global Era
[Ryudoka suru Nihon no "Bunka" - Gurobaru Jidai no Jiko Ninshiki]
Edited by Hidehiro Sonoda. 251 pages. - Japanese Alternative as a Multicultural Society - from the Viewpoint of "Citizenship"
[Tabunka Shakai no Sentaku - "Shitizun Shippu "no Shiten Kara]
Edited by NIRA Citizenship Study Group. 305 pages.
- The Reproduction Revolution and Law - The Development of Life Sciences and Ethics
[Seishoku Kakumei to Ho - Seimei Kagaku no Hatten to Rinri]
Edited by NIRA, written by Tadahiro Fujikawa. 284 pages.
Books of this series are published sequentially by Nihon Keizai Hyoronsha Ltd. "NIRA Challenge Books" series are available at bookstores.
Report from the Sixteenth Meeting for Research Result Exchange
On November 9, 2001 the Council of Local Think Tanks held the Sixteenth Meeting for Research Results Exchange in Aomori City under the title the "Establishment of a System Capable of Realizing Citizen Participation."
First, a keynote lecture was given by Dr. Masatoshi Tamamura, Lecturer at Chiba University of Commerce (Administration and Management Forum), followed by the presentation of five other speeches: Mr. Yuichi Nakahashi, Executive Director of the Planning Network Tohoku gave a lecture under the title "Efforts of Aomori Prefecture in Pursuit of the Division of Authority between Government and Private Citizens"; Mr. Yuki Ishibashi, Researcher, Kansai Institute of Information System, "Implementing Sovereignty of the Regions in an Information-Oriented Society - An Attempt to Develop Administrative Evaluation by Utilizing the Internet"; Mr. Yoshitaka Koshiro, Executive Director, Sendai Urban Research Forum "A Survey on Specific Measures to be Taken in the Promotion of Citizen Participation in City Management"; and Mr. Yoshinori Fujimoto, Researcher of the Research Institute for Regional Planning and Development "The Optimal Consensus System for Citizens as Seen in the Case of City Planning."
After these lectures, Dr. Tamamura gave comments on the respective speeches followed by general comments given by Mr. Itsushi Tachi, Director of NIRA's Policy Research Department.
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