Publikationen

Discussions on Constitutional Amendments

Momentum and Issues

This year’s ordinary Diet session has been convened here in Japan. The COVID-19 response unsurprisingly remains the core topic of discussion, while the Economic Security Promotion Bill will also be another focal point. However, this writer attaches particular significance to the discussions on constitutional amendments. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), which takes a cautious stance on constitutional revision, had been reluctant to hold the Diet committee responsible for such discussions, the Commission on the Constitution, until after the recent general election had been held. However, the CDP changed its stance, agreeing to hold the Commission “on its scheduled days insofar as is possible “. Meanwhile, other opposition parties, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), as well as the Democratic Party For the People (DPFP) and the Yushi no Kai, which had just formed a new In-House Group (caucus) after the general election, took the position of the ruling side (Ruling Parties and Cooperative In-House Group Consultation Body:与党協力及び会派懇談会) in the House of Representatives' (HR) Commission on the Constitution. These moves were brought about by the new political situation that emerged after last year's general election. This paper summarises the positions of each party and discusses future prospects and issues sur-rounding the discussions on constitutional amendments. The writer would like to emphasise that constitutional reform will continue to re-quire time, great effort, and great patience from each party and In-House group, as well as public understanding.

The Path to Success: How Women-owned Businesses Transform in the Era of Digitalization Volume 2

Case Studies from Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore

This study is the second volume of “The Path to Success: How Women-owned Businesses Transform in the Era of Digitalization”. The second volume presents case studies on Women-owned Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (WSMEs) from Vietnam, South Korea, and Singapore. This research project is a continuation of the same study conducted in 2020 by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung's (KAS) Regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS) and Woomentum, focusing on the role of digitalization in helping WSMEs navigate throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The main findings of this present study are presented and structured around four pillars: 1) Access to Financing; 2) Access to Mentoring, Networking, and Skills; 3) Business Processes and Management; 4) Crisis Management (COVID-19). Notable improvements in the second volume include: (1) WSMEs' Stakeholders Map, (2) WSMEs' Digital Maturity Index, and (3) The Policy Cycle Stages.

Abe’s Long Shadow—Japan Struggles Toward a Political Awakening

Fumio Kishida was confirmed in office as prime minister at the constituent session of the new parliament on 10 November. In her sixteen years in office, outgoing German Chancellor An-gela Merkel has seen a total of ten Japanese prime ministers come and go. Fumio Kishida, the 101st prime minister, is unlikely to meet her in person again, yet the numbers speak volumes with regard to Japan’s rotating government. The concern that Japan will once again fall into a long period of changing prime ministers is justified, as the Abe era weighs heavily on the party and the government.

Abes langer Schatten – Japan müht sich in den politischen Aufbruch

Fumio Kishida wurde am 11. November auf der konstituierenden Sitzung des neuen Parlaments als Premierminister im Amt bestätigt. In ihrer sechzehnjährigen Amtszeit hat die scheidende Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel insgesamt zehn Premierminister erlebt. Fumio Kishida, den Hundertsten, wird sie vermutlich nicht mehr persönlich treffen, dennoch sprechen die Zahlen Bände im Hinblick auf die rotierenden Regierungen Japans. Die Sorge ist berechtigt, dass Japan erneut in eine lange Phase wechselnder Premierminister verfällt, denn die Abe-Ära lastet schwer auf Partei und Regierung.

General Election 2021

Results and Implications

The current ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito won the 2021 general election. Fumio Kishida took over the Prime Ministership from Yoshide Suga only weeks before and has already pledged many reforms for the new government and Diet to put in action. This includes a ‘new capitalism’, revised distribution policy, and economic security.

General Election Outlook 2021 - Opinion Piece

Developments in the Final Racing Rounds of the Political Circuit

According to the traditional Japanese calendar autumn has already arrived, but the unbearably hot summer still continues. We have felt the heat lingering on longer than before in recent years, most likely due to global warming. This tremendously hot summer will transform into a hot fall in the political arena, as Members of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the National Diet of Japan, are fast approaching the end of their term on October 21. In addition, Prime Minister (PM) Yoshihide Suga's term as the party leader (president) of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will come to an end this month. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Olympic and Paralympic Games have proved to be complex political issues for the government. Suga still battles to control COVID-19 and has successfully hosted the Olympic Games in which Japan did surprisingly well. (The Japan team had its highest ever haul: 27 Gold, 14 Silver, and 17 Bronze medals.) But the PM is unlikely to earn any credit for this. It is still difficult to make any definite prediction regarding a general election even now at the beginning of September, with less than two months of the lawmakers‘ terms remaining. (Here the term "general election“ refers to the House of Representatives election). The LDP decided to hold its leadership (presidential) election on September 29 , thus the general election will take place sometime after this, from October to November. In this paper I will discuss possible general election dates and explain why it is so difficult to predict a definite date.

A Closer Look at the Operational Concept for Aegis System-equipped Vessels

In June 2020, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) abruptly announced it would abandon the Aegis Ashore deployment plan. Then, after twists and turns in policy coordination between the government and ruling parties, the Cabinet decided on December 18 to build two Aegis system-equipped vessels to replace the Aegis Ashore system. How will the shift from deployment of two land-based Aegis systems to construction of two sea-based Aegis system-equipped vessels impact Japan’s “comprehensive air and missile defense”? What are Aegis system-equipped vessels, and what should be their operational concept? Akihisa Nagashima, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, offers his thoughts on these issues.

Taiwan Contingency- Opinion Piece

Japan: Its situation, recognition, and discussions around the gray-zone issue

An enormous sense of crisis over a possible invasion of Taiwan by China, which is strength-ening its hegemony, was shared and manifested first in the Japan-United States 2+2 meeting, the following bilateral summit meeting, the Japan-EU summit meeting, as well as the G7 summit meeting. It was the very first time in 52 years that Taiwan was included in the joint statement by the leaders of Japan and the U.S. In 1969, Japan and the U.S. had diplomatic relations with Taiwan, hence the situation back then was far different from today. The U.S.-Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and President Joseph Biden stressed the "importance of peace and stability of Taiwan Strait." It is my aim to present Ja-pan’s recognition of situation in the event that China attacks Taiwan. Furthermore, I look at the challenges posed by the gray-zone issue followed by discussions of major political parties around this issue.

The Future of Work for the Asian Youth

Country Profile: Vietnam

The country profile provides a deeper analysis about Vietnam’s youth to ensure better future of work for this sector. It is organized into four main parts. The first part outlines the situation in Vietnam, the demographics of its labor force and in particular, youth labor force. The second part discusses the trend in the future of work for Vietnamese youth followed by the third part discussing the challenges that Vietnamese youth face in the labor market. The final part sets out policy responses and recommendation to support the youth in their future of work.

The Future of Work for the Asian Youth

Country Profile: Malaysia

This country report serves to shed light on the realities of the future of work in Malaysia. The first part will examine the current state of youths in Malaysia from the demographical lenses, education and workforce participation of youths. The second part will discuss the realities faced by Malaysian youths from both the opportunities and challenges for the youths. And the final part will be the policy recommendations to further alleviate some of the challenges faced by youths in transitioning to the work.