The world economy faces numerous risks and uncertainties in 2012, including the fiscal and financial crises in Europe, changes of government, and elections in major countries. Pessimists are having a field day with these problems, but Itoh Motoshige, a professor at the University of Tokyo, argues that we should keep an eye on positive economic prospects, too, both in Japan and overseas.
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In November 2011, victories by reformers in a “double election” to choose the governor of Osaka Prefecture and mayor of the city of Osaka captured the national imagination. What was at stake in these elections, and what are the ramifications for Japan’s national politics? Sakaiya Taichi, a key advisor to Hashimoto Tōru, the chief architect of the current Osaka reform movement, gives his thoughts.
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Late 2011 saw the third review of the Three Principles on Arms Exports since their creation in 1967. How does the latest phase of review differ from the past two? Defense specialist Murayama Yūzō looks at the history of the reviews and what direction future policy should take.
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Japanese schools in 2011 began the staged introduction of a series of new academic guidelines designed to improve basic academic skills. To learn more about the new guidelines and better grasp the current state of Japanese education we talked to Shirota Akihisa, the principal at Wada Junior High School in Suginami-ku, Tokyo—a school well known for its pioneering and innovative approach to education.
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The first half of fiscal 2011 saw dismal results for Japan’s top electronics makers, most notably Panasonic, which slipped ¥136.2 billion into the red. And business is unlikely to pick up in the second half of the fiscal year. Will Japan’s electronics giants be able to withstand the twin blows of a strong yen and sluggish TV sales? Ōkawara Katsuyuki, a journalist who has followed the Japanese electronics industry for more than 20 years, reports.
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How will the death of Kim Jong-il affect Japan and other East Asian countries? Professor Shigemura Toshimitsu, a Korea expert at Waseda University, reviews the outlook for the nuclear weapons issue and democracy and human rights in North Korea. He also comments on Japan’s special concern: return of the Japanese abducted by North Korean agents.
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