Nice lectures and interesting seminars:
The Japanese Economy in 2015 - Japan Ten Years After

Komaki Niregane, listening to the lecture

Prof. Taniuchi lecturing on 11th May 2006

Komaki Niregane
School of Commerce Second Year

In 2015, most of us will be around 30 years old, and entering the busiest period of our working lives. Ten years from now, what kind of services will be needed and what kind of economic problems will face the Japanese economy? Even though it's not that far away, making predictions is difficult and we're left with many doubts and uncertainties. This course of lectures serves as a compass to guide us through those uncertainties.

After World War II, Japan experienced tremendous economic growth, only to slip into a prolonged period of recession thanks to the crash of the Bubble Economy. The Japanese Economy in 2015, coordinated by Prof. Nobuo Kawabe (School of Commerce) offers a series of 12 lectures by faculty members of the School of Commerce, who give their views on problems arising from the environmental changes in the Japanese economy, industry and corporations, and offer possible solutions. In a way, these lectures represent the collective know-how and experience of the School of Commerce.

I'd like to focus on a lecture given by Prof. Mitsuru Taniuchi and entitled “What will happen to the Asian Economy?” This topic was of particular interest to me because of the recent rapid development of the Asian Economy, of which Japan is a key part, and the many possibililites and problems that come with it. Even though Asia as a whole seems to be experiencing significant economic growth, the hollowing-out of the Japanese economy is of great concern. Rather than pushing globalization for its short-term benefits, we should consider the economy from a long-term standpoint. Asia should make its goal the establishment of long-term peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity among Asian nations.

Upcoming lectures in this fascinating series include “How Corporate Business Strategy Will Change” and “Shift in Brand Strategy”. This lecture series has given me an insight into the future directions of the Japanese economy and given me many useful hints for mapping out my own career.