The Japan Update 2019: Leadership in a time of uncertainty was held on Wednesday 4 September on The ANU campus at the Molonglo Theatre. A number of distinguished and prominent scholars shared their insights and latest research on Japan at the Update.

The Update is the flagship conference of the Australia-Japan Research Centre (AJRC) in Crawford School of Public Policy, and the Japan Institute at The Australian National University. Bringing together experts from Australia, Japan and around the region, the Update provides a comprehensive overview of Japan’s current economic and political landscape, gives an ‘update’ on the country’s recent developments and forecasts its future directions.

The 2019 Update focused on Japan’s economy, politics, foreign policy and included a presentation on art. Video podcasts of each panel, filmed by Flying Finish Productions, can be found on ANU TV:

Welcome and Yoko Kamikawa keynote speech

Economics Panel

A new regional order

Political keynote

Politics and Foreign Policy Panel

Opening remarks were presented by Dr Shiro Armstrong with Sally Wheeler introducing the Hon Yoko Kamikawa, the keynote speaker. Prof. Ippei Fujiwara chaired the economics panel with Mr. Takashi Kozu and Prof. Mariko Sakakibara giving presentations. The Australia and Japan in a new regional order panel was chaired by Dr. Shiro Armstrong with Dr. Amy King, Prof. Yasuyuki Todo, and Ms. Melanie Brock speaking. Former Ambassador Murray McLean introduced the political keynote delivered by Prof. Kiichi Fujiwara, he went on to join the foreign policy panel chaired by Prof. Rikki Kersten with Prof. Purnendra Jain, Prof. Rumi Aoyama, and Dr. Lauren Richardson. Mr. Reuben Keehan presented on the works of Mao Ishikawa with an introduction by Prof. Veronica Taylor. The final panel on opening Japan to migration had Mr. Abul Rizvi and AsPr. Nana Oishi give presentations followed with a discussion chaired by AsPr. Tomoko Akami. Prof. Veronica Taylor delivered the closing remarks for the day.

The East Asia Forum Quarterly 11.3 Japan’s leadership moment was launched and is available here.

Image taken by Satoshi Hirayama and sourced from Pexels.