Japan Economy Watch

Japan Economy Watch Substack provides analysis on Japan's economic landscape, highlighting issues like wage stagnation, currency valuation, and economic policy. It explores international trade, comparisons with other economies, and the impact of technology on growth. Discussions also extend to global economic trends, environmental debates, and the dynamics of innovation in Japan.

Japan's Economic Policy Currency Valuation and Trade Wage Stagnation International Trade and Competitiveness Innovation and Entrepreneurship Environmental Policy and Climate Change Technological Advancements Global Economic Trends Corporate Practices and Taxation Monetary Policy and Interest Rates

The hottest Substack posts of Japan Economy Watch

And their main takeaways

Trade and Jobs

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 17
💼 Business Trade Jobs Automation Manufacturing Economics
  1. Manufacturing job loss is mainly due to automation, not trade.
  2. Modern machinery has significantly increased productivity, requiring fewer workers to produce the same output.
  3. The lack of rise in workers' wages is not because of globalization, but due to power dynamics in Washington.

New Business Lobby Pushes Japan Decarbonization

0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Decarbonization Japan Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  1. Japan has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a significant shift from its previous timeline of 2050-2100.
  2. Japan's current reliance on coal for electricity and low carbon tax highlight the need for urgent action to address climate change.
  3. The Japan Climate Initiative, comprising 400 leading companies, is advocating for increased use of renewables to meet global business standards, putting pressure on Japan for real change.

Issues and Challenges for Japan's Next PM

0 implied HN points • 24 Sep 21
🌍 World Politics Japan Leadership Economy Foreign Policy Domestic politics
  1. Suga Yoshihide will not contend in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party presidential elections, stepping down as Japan's prime minister once a replacement is found.
  2. The new Prime Minister will face key domestic political challenges in Japan, along with having to address economic matters and foreign policy issues.
  3. Experts on Japan's politics, economics, and foreign policy will discuss the challenges and issues for Japan's new leader.

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0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💰 Finance Subscription
  1. The post encourages readers to subscribe to the newsletter at richardkatz.substack.com.
  2. Readers are urged to support the author's work by becoming a free or paid subscriber.
  3. Various options are provided for sharing the post including copying the link, sharing on Facebook, or sending via email.

"Open Innovation"

0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 17
💼 Business Innovation Collaboration Entrepreneurship Technology
  1. Collaboration is key in the digital era for innovation; notable examples include Pfizer, BioNTech, Google, and Amazon.
  2. Many Japanese companies still hold onto a traditional 'Not Invented Here' mindset, hindering their ability to adapt to open innovation practices.
  3. Efforts are being made by some Japanese giants to shift towards open innovation, but success levels vary.
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Will Corporate Governance Reforms In Japan Lead to More Inward FDI?

0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 21
💼 Business Corporate Governance Profitability Mergers & Acquisitions Market Trends
  1. American business leaders in Japan believe that corporate governance reforms could lead to more acquisitions of healthy Japanese businesses by foreign companies.
  2. Despite corporate governance reforms aiming for better efficiency and profitability, companies have not significantly divested or improved their core competencies.
  3. Recent data shows that despite improvements in profitability, it may be due to artificial factors rather than actual corporate efficiency gains.

Growth and Redistribution: An Agenda for Japan

0 implied HN points • 26 Oct 21
🌍 World Politics Growth Japan
  1. Japan can achieve faster per capita GDP growth by addressing inequality from 1990-2010.
  2. To promote both equality and growth, Japan should implement measures that are mutually reinforcing.
  3. Specific measures to pursue for growth and redistribution in Japan are discussed in the article.

Nurturing Entrepreneurs

0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 16
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Economy Innovation Technology Policy
  1. Revitalizing Japan's economy requires nurturing a new generation of young, innovative firms.
  2. Japan needs to embrace 'creative destruction' seen in North America and Europe, where dynamic newer companies replace old ones for economic growth.
  3. Policymakers must support shifts in civil society, technology, and attitudes to address Japan's economic challenges.

Japan as 196th

0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 21
💼 Business Investment Economy Policy Leadership
  1. Japan ranks 196th out of 196 countries in inward foreign direct investment (FDI) as a share of GDP, trailing North Korea, highlighting a significant issue for the country's economy.
  2. The low level of FDI in Japan is hindering the economy and has been a longstanding challenge, with only 14% of inward FDI taking the form of mergers and acquisitions compared to the typical 80% in other rich countries.
  3. For Japan to improve its inward FDI situation and boost its economy, there is a need for a collaborative effort between government and business leaders to address the barriers and drive progress.

MOF: Crying Wolf for a Half-Century

0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Government Debt Economy Taxation Reform
  1. The Ministry of Finance in Japan has been predicting a government bond crash since the 1970s but those predictions have never come true.
  2. The government spending cuts have been tougher than many realize, especially affecting the elderly population.
  3. Japan's chronic deficits have not led to a JGB crash, but instead, slow corrosion of the economy, calling for a different approach that aligns taxes and spending with growth.

How To Fight Anti-Trade Populism

0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 17
🌍 World Politics Trade Globalization Populism Economy Labor
  1. Trade is often blamed for various issues, but solutions must be provided for workers affected by trade and automation.
  2. The backlash against globalization is seen as a significant threat that could have disastrous consequences for the world economy.
  3. Proposals include establishing consensus on programs to support workers impacted by globalization.