The Australia-Japan Research Centre and the ANU Japan Institute are excited to announce the Japan Update will be held online and in-person on Wednesday 4 September 2024, 9am-4pm (AEST). This year’s event will bring together experts from Australia and Japan to provide insights into Japan’s economy, politics, foreign policy and energy policy. We hope that you can join us in-person for this free fully catered event with opportunities for networking or tune in at any time to the YouTube live stream to watch your topics of interest.

View the full Program Booklet

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PROGRAM

Tea and coffee (8.30-9am AEST)

Welcome and introduction (9-9.15am AEST)
• Shiro Armstrong, The Australian National University
• Janine O’Flynn, Director, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU

Economy keynote (9-9.45am AEST)
• Tomoko Hayashi, Director-General, Economic Research Bureau and Chief Economist, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan

Economy panel (9.45-11am AEST)
Japan’s economy is on the move. Learn how labour shortages are adding dynamism to Japan’s economy, with interest rates rising for the first time in 15 years and government subsidies fueling new industrial and security policies. This expert panel will review the latest developments in the Japanese economy.
• Tomoko Hayashi, Director-General, Economic Research Bureau and Chief Economist, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
• Hiroshi Ohashi, Professor of Economics & Vice President, University of Tokyo
• Shujiro Urata, Chairman Emeritus, Research Institute of Economy, Trade & Industry
• Chair: Ippei Fujiwara, Professor of Economics, Keio University & ANU

Morning tea (11-11.30am AEST)

Foreign policy keynote (11.30-12pm AEST)
• Ryo Sahashi, As/Pr International Relations, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo

Foreign policy and politics panel (12-1.15pm AEST)
How is Japan’s role in global affairs becoming more pivotal amid Great Power rivalries? Join this panel discussion to learn about Japan’s evolving China policy and its strategies for handling geopolitical uncertainty.
• Rumi Aoyama, Professor, Waseda University
• Alexander Bukh, Professor of International Relations, Waseda University
• Ryo Sahashi, As/Pr International Relations, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo
• Chair: Lauren Richardson, Lecturer in International Relations, ANU

Lunch (1.15-2pm AEST)

Energy security keynote (2-2.30pm AEST )
• Yukari Takamura, Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo

Energy security and transition panel (2.30-3.45pm AEST )
What’s next for Japan’s energy transition? How is Japan decarbonising its energy system, and what does it mean for Australia? This panel will discuss the prospects for Japan’s low-carbon energy transition and the potential for an Australia-Japan collaboration in hydrogen.
• Toshi Arimura, Director, Research Institute for Environment Economics & Management, Waseda University
• Melanie Brock, Non-Executive Director, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Yukari Takamura, Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo
• Rowan von Spreckelsen, Head of New Markets – APAC, Aurora Energy Research
• Chair: Llewelyn Hughes, Professor of Public Policy, ANU

Closing and thank you (3.45-4pm AEST)
• Llewelyn Hughes, Professor of Public Policy, ANU
• Ippei Fujiwara, Professor of Economics, Keio University & ANU