The Future of Work for the Asian Youth: Malaysia

Webinar Summary

The third session of the Future of Work for the Asian Youth webinar series focuses on Malaysia. Experts from the academe, government, and the private sector discuss the current state of Malaysia's labor market, the impact of COVID19 on young people's education and job prospects, as well as the policy interventions required to prepare the future workforce to successfully respond to the changing trends.

Future of Work for the Asian Youth: Indonesia

Webinar Summary

The second session of the Future of Work for the Asian Youth webinar series shifted the discussion to Southeast Asia, this time focusing on Indonesia.

5th German-Asian Business Dialogue

In Asien wird über die Zukunft der internationalen Ordnung entschieden

Dieser Bericht ist nur auf englisch verfügbar. Bitte wechseln Sie in die englische Sprache über das Menü oben.

KAS Japan Weekly COVID-19 Updates

Gender, guilt, and work-life balance

A recent IMF working paper found out that Japan’s voluntary lockdown in April was more costly for women than men. The analysis solidified the observation that women face greater responsibility and #guilt for “neither being the ideal mother nor the ideal employee”.

Yoshihide Suga wins the LDP leadership Election.

Succeeding PM Shinzo Abe

Yesterday (September 14), Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga enjoyed a land sliding victory, winning 70% of the overall eligible votes for the LDP leadership election. Key messages are: 1. His victory was obvious even before the election as the major factions had expressed their support to him. 2. Fumio Kishida managed to stay in the race for the next year’s full-fledged leadership election. He could only obtain support from a small portion of regional votes. 3. Shigeru Ishiba came last. His popularity among the public is his strong point. However, he lost 16 percentage points from the regional chapters compared to 2018. He could not garner a big support from Diet members outside his faction.

The Future of Work for the Asian Youth: Taiwan

Webinar Report

The Future of Work for the Asian Youth webinar series, jointly organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Japan’s Social and Economic Governance in Asia (SOPAS) and the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) finally launched on August 27, 2020, with a seminar that focused on Taiwan. The session addressed Taiwan’s case on the changing nature of employment for youth, challenges and opportunities, and how the country is preparing for the future of work.

KAS Japan Weekly Covid-19 Update

Next week, Yoshihide Suga will formally be Abe’s successor. What are the factors that LDP Diet members opt for Suga? Key messages include: 1. LDP Diet members have sought for continuity though the majority of general public until August disapproved Abe or GOJ’s responses to COVID19. 2. Factions one after another supported Suga, they couldn’t miss the bus. 3. Kishida’s weak leadership was centrifugal factor, instead gave impetus to Suga. 4. Skipping general LDP members all over the country is a big disadvantage for Ishiba. LDP factions get attempted to hold on to the winning horse. 5. Suga’s appointment to be as PM seems ironic for his belief that party factions’ role had long gone.

KAS Japan Weekly COVID-19 Updates

Digital trade expands

COVID19 has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and services, allowing trade to virtually continue despite movement restrictions.

Prime Minister Abe's resignation

On August 28, Prime Minister Abe announced his resignation from the top position due to his long-held illness. Listen to our analysis of Shinzo Abe‘s resignation as Japan‘s longest serving Prime Minister. Will his move destabilize LDP? Are Japan’s days of political stability over? How much of his legacy will remain and who would be the most suitable successor - especially in the eyes of a strong EU-Japan partnership.

KAS Japan Weekly Covid-19 Update

25 August

Yesterday (August 24), Shinzo #Abe became #Japan 's longest continuously serving PM with 2,799 days in office. This represents Abe’s strength. (He already had become the longest serving PM last November, totaling the days in office in his 1st term) Cabinet #reshuffling is expected in September. Key messages are: 1) Two backbones in the Cabinet will remain. #LDP SG Nikai may be replaced by Abe’s favorite successor, Kishida. Meanwhile in the LDP some voice that he may keep the Cabinet over the growing concerns on Abe’s health condition. 2) #Covid-19 is giving him hard time and his disapproval rate is highest ever. 3) One more year left as LDP President / practically as PM. Whether he can dissolve the Lower House before the end of the House’s term and if the Olympic Games will take place in a ‘complete form’ are uncertain.