Japan Update 2023

The Australia-Japan Research Centre and the ANU Japan Institute are excited to announce that the Japan Update will be held online and in-person on Wednesday 6 September 2023, 9am-5pm (AEST).

This year's event will bring together experts from Australia and Japan to provide insights into Japan's economy, politics, foreign policy and science and technology.

VIEW FULL PROGRAM BOOKLET & SCHEDULE

Japan's economy panel (9.10-9.40am AEST)
Population decline is accelerating in Japan, the yen remains historically weak and inflation is higher in Japan than in the United States. This panel will discuss how Japan is managing these major economic challenges and prospects for the world's third largest economy.

• Masaaki Kaizuka, Bank of Japan
• Renee Fry-McKibbin, The Australian National University
• Chair: Ippei Fujiwara, Keio University & The Australian National University

Economic security panel (11.20-12.30pm AEST)
Japan is at the leading edge of navigating the economic consequences of great power strategic competition and a more uncertain global economy. The panel of experts from academia, business and policy will bring insights into the semiconductor industry and its relationship with China, the energy transition and where Japan's international economic policies are headed.

• Shujiro Urata, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
• Melanie Brock, Melanie Brock Advisory
• Richard Dyck, Japan Industrial Partners
• Chair: Shiro Armstrong, The Australian National University

Foreign policy and politics panel (1.30-2.45pm AEST)
Japan will double its military spending as it faces difficult strategic choices in response to the return of great power politics and war in Europe. The expert panel will discuss Japan's evolving China policy, its approach to the upcoming special summit with ASEAN and how Japan is navigating geopolitical uncertainty.

• Michael J. Green, The University of Sydney
• Mie Oba, Kanagawa University
• Yoshihide Soeya, Keio University
• Chair: Amy King, The Australian National University

Science and technology panel (3.15-4.30pm AEST)
Can Japan regain its place as a global technology leader in semiconductors, electric vehicles and in space? What is the state of Japanese innovation and research? Experts from industry, academia and policy will talk about the big trends and prospects.

• Takero Izuhara, ST Solutions Australia (Softbank)
• Anna Moore, The Australian National University
• Masaru Yarime, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Chair Llewelyn Hughes, The Australian National University