[ Research Trends ]
[ New Research Projects ]
Action Programs for Reviving the Japanese Economy
- Research institute: NIRA (NIRA-conducted research)
- Research term: July 2002 - June 2003
After experiencing the collapse of the bubble economy and the period referred to as the "lost decade" of the 1990s that followed, Japan remains economically stagnant as shown by its largely unchanged economic growth rate.
In addition, Japan is currently faced with various multi-faceted problems to which solutions are yet unclear: the declining birthrate and the aging of the population, the taxation system, national finance and public debts, financial policies, unemployment and education.
A year ago when Prime Minister Koizumi's cabinet was formed, Japanese citizens placed great expectations on it in the hope that measures to cope with these problems might be identified. The series of structural reforms advocated by Koizumi's cabinet, however, have to date been unable to bear substantial results.
Meanwhile, other countries around the world are also facing serious problems. Problems related to the global environment, international terrorism, and regional and national socio-economic structural problems that are intensifying. The success of Japan's reforms aimed at improving its socio-economic situation is considered to be linked to these problems.
Given these circumstances, this research project attempts to clarify the limitations of existing social systems. Prior to this, discussions will be developed with a focus on the "twenty-first century: a new era of the individual," that is envisioning a new society in which citizens are respected as the major players.
This will be followed by a thorough examination of the systems constituting a society, such as national systems capable of responding to a new era, educational systems, corporate systems, local community, morality and social standards. Based on this examination, the optimal direction for development of these systems will be scrupulously analyzed. At the same time, paradigm reforms, which are essential to reforming systems, will be analyzed with special emphasis on principles and ethics.
Given the fact that Japan's society is currently at the turning point of a new era, this research project attempts to clarify the ideal society for the twenty-first century, and the philosophy necessary for promoting structural reforms. The philosophy that serves as the basis of the discussions will also be presented.
[ Symposium / Lecture ]
- Public Finance Lessons from Common Experiences with the United States -
The above-mentioned symposium, jointly held by NIRA and the Urban Institute, U.S.A. was held on June 5, 2002 at the Todofuken Kaikan, Tokyo. The symposium was also supported by Japan's Cabinet Office, Policy Research Institute of the Ministry of Finance, Nihon Keizai Shimbun and the Japan Center for Economic Research.
In this symposium, which was held as part of the research project "Changing Policy Priorities In An Aging Society - Perspectives in Common between Japan and the United States," emphasis was placed on discussing the lessons to be learned from the case of the U.S. which has succeeded in reconstructing government finance.
The outline of this symposium will be presented in the NIRA Policy Research Vol. 15, No. 9.
NIRA has been involved in activities related to the development and stability of Central Asian countries by, for example, cosponsoring international conferences on the comprehensive security of Central Asia with the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE). As part of these efforts, this symposium was held in order to discuss the peace and security of the region. Japan and Germany, the two nations that have provided active support to Central Asia, as well as Central Asian nations, participated.
The symposium was held on June 10 and 11 in Berlin, Germany under the auspices of NIRA, the Japanese-German Center of Berlin and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The symposium was composed of three sessions, focusing on the "political aspect," "economic aspect" and "human security" respectively.
Keynote speaker: Mr. Issei Nomura, Ambassador to Germany
In addition, areas where Japan and Germany might contribute to sustainable development in Central Asia came out of these discussions.
- Enhancing regional cooperation with the aim of "the rebuilding of the Silk Road"
- Promotion of cooperation through existing frameworks, such as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, with the aim of contributing to the stability of the region
- Cultivating small and medium enterprises and developing human resources in order to aid in establishing a stable economy and enhancing industry
- Placing emphasis on human security and enhancing education concerning human rights and democracy.
- The importance of constant exchange of information between Japan and Germany in order to support the Central Asian countries
The outline of the symposium will be presented in NIRA Policy Research Vol.15, No.10.
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