Conference: Examining Lessons from Japan’s Lost Decades: Economics, Security and Society

Sponsored by 
Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation (RJIF)
Co-sponsored by
Program on U.S.-Japan Relations,
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs;
Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies;
Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School;
Japan Society of Boston;
Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership

Conference Description
How can the U.S., Europe, and Asia avoid the mistakes Japan made during its so-called “lost decades,” or the twenty years after falling into recession during the 1990s? Focusing on the dimensions of economics, security and history issues, and education and employment, panelists examine the policy decisions taken during this period and the lessons that can be learned from Japan’s experiences. The three sessions explore how countries can deal with common challenges, including fiscal deficit, international security and growing social inequality.

The panelists examine not only the causes but also future policy options to move forward, offering insights on how a country can regenerate itself when it comes at a crossroads. The book, Examining Japan’s Lost Decades (Routledge Contemporary Series), will be published in April.

Conference Schedule

(Click "Read more" to see the schedule of events.)

Program

9:00-9:15AM
Morning coffee

9:15-9:45AM
Keynote speeches:
Yoichi Funabashi
Chair, Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation (RJIF); Editor in Chief, Asahi Shimbun
(2007-10)

Andrew Gordon
Lee and Juliet Folger Fund Professor of History, Harvard University

9:45-11:30AM
Session 1: Economics: Abenomics Growth Strategy
Speakers:
Kazuhiko Toyama
CEO and Representative Director of Industrial Growth Platform, Inc;
Member, Japan’s Council on Economic Fiscal Policy

Tokuo Iwaisako
Professor, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University

Discussant:
Dale Jorgenson
Samuel W. Morris University Professor of Economics, Harvard University

Moderator:
Richard Cooper
Maurits C. Boas Professor of International Economics, Harvard University

1:15-3:00PM
Session 2: Security and History Issues: The Future of US-Japan-China Relations
Speakers:
Yoichi Funabashi
Chair, Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation (RJIF); Editor in Chief, Asahi Shimbun 
(2007-10)

Kazuhiko Togo
Professor and Director of the Institute for World Affairs, Kyoto Sangyo University

Discussant:
Ezra Vogel
Henry Ford II Professor of Social Sciences Emeritus, Harvard University

Moderator:
Barak Kushner
Senior Lecturer, University of Cambridge

3:00-3:15PM
Afternoon coffee

3:15-5:00PM
Session 3: Society: Issues of Employment and Education for Women and Youth

Speakers:
Andrew Gordon
Lee and Juliet Folger Fund Professor of History, Harvard University

Takehiko Kariya
Professor, Sociology of Japanese Society and Faculty Fellow, University of Oxford

Discussant:
Mary Brinton
Reischauer Institute Professor of Sociology and Department Chair, Department of Sociology, Harvard University

Moderator:
Hiraku Shimoda
Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Waseda University

For further reading on the Examining the Lost Decades project,
please follow the link below
http://rebuildjpn.org/en/project/japans-lost-decades

Please contact symposium@rebuildjpn.org if you have any further questions.

We look forward to welcoming you at this event.