We are pleased to announce that Professor Tomoo Kikuchi from the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS), Waseda University, has been awarded funding from the APEC Support Fund (ASF) for his research project titled:
“The Effects of Structural Reform on Digitalization, Productivity and Labor Migration on APEC Economies in the Age of Ageing Population.”
- Funding Amount: USD 130,999.00
- Project Period: September 2025 – June 2026
- Main Project Overseer: Professor Tomoo Kikuchi
This project addresses a pressing issue shared by many APEC economies: the demographic shift caused by declining birth rates and aging populations. While the Asia-Pacific region remains a key driver of global economic growth, these demographic changes threaten to transform the current demographic bonus into a demographic burden, potentially leading to the “middle-income trap.”
Aligned with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (EAASR), the project will investigate how structural reforms can improve digitalization and productivity, particularly in high-value-added industries and service sectors. It will also explore labor mobility policies in economies such as Japan, Chinese Taipei, and the Republic of Korea, which are actively seeking foreign talent to address labor shortages.
By analyzing the economic effects of digital technology adoption and foreign labor acceptance, the research aims to provide policy insights that support sustainable development and regional cooperation across APEC member economies.
