Japan's Global Economic Leadership Beyond the G20

Over the past two years, Japan has emerged as a global leader in forging ahead with multilateral trade agreements, and as such taking on a greater role in ensuring that free, fair, and open markets prevail. At the same time, there are growing expectations for Japan to take on a larger role that goes beyond trade to ensure economic stability worldwide, and act as a global stabilizer amid growing uncertainties.

The ongoing trade friction between China and the United States has undoubtedly impacted the economies of countries across Asia and beyond, and the spillover effect may well continue. At the same time, the challenges of accommodating technological advancement and automation will likely be far greater than crafting any single trade agreement. There are also growing expectations for Japan’s leadership in ensuring continued growth in emerging markets with the greatest need for capital investments. Southeast Asia in particular is at the frontline of increased opportunities for project financing, but at the same time it is being confronted with making a political as much as an economic choice in selecting partners for growth.

Join us for this half-day conference to discuss how Japan can lead the way in ensuring economic stability by championing international rules of engagement and whether it can mobilize global efforts from both the public and private sectors to ensure sustainable growth.

Image: Flickr/Dick Thomas Johnson.

Agenda

9:15-9:25 am

Registration

9:25-9:30 am

Introductory Remarks by Abraham Denmark, Asia Program

9:30-10:45 am

Identifying Global Economic Challenges and Expectations for Japan

Saori Katada, University of Southern California

Gene Park, Loyola Marymount University

Scott Seaman, Eurasia Group

Shihoko Goto, Wilson Center (moderator)

10:50-12:05 pm

Corporate Interests and U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Southeast Asia

Larry Greenwood, Bower Group Asia (former US ambassador to APEC)

Nobuhiro Aizawa, Wilson Center Japan Fellow and Kyushu University

Courtney Weatherby, Stimson Center

Bryan O’Byrne, USAID

Marvin Ott, Wilson Center and Johns Hopkins University (moderator)

12:05-12:30 pm

Light buffet lunch

12:30-1:15 pm

Lunch Discussion: Financing the Indo-Pacific: The Role of the Financial Sector in Promoting Regional Growth

Meg Lundsager, Wilson Center (former US IMF executive director)

Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Head of Global Corporate Division, Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

Charles Johnston, Managing Director, Global Government Affairs, Citigroup