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Description
We hear from Koji Rokkaku, Thailand regional office chief and editor for NNA Kyodo News Group, as he discusses Japan’s past, present, and future. We delve into the nation’s collective society, examining how historical and cultural forces have shaped its current challenges and sustainability. By exploring Japan’s societal norms, cultural dynamics, economic policies, and political landscape, we gain a comprehensive understanding of its optimistic future.
Keywords
Japan society, Japan culture, Japan economics, Japan politics
Lead
Hello and welcome to Hacking Kaizen, I’m Graham Newman. Today we’re with Koji Rokkaku, regional office chief and editor for NNA Kyodo News Group here in Bangkok. We’ll be exploring Japan’s intricate social, economic, cultural, and political landscape, weaving together historical events that shed light on the nation today.
Japan faces significant challenges with its rapidly ageing population and declining birth rates, a persistent overwork culture, and gender inequality, plus a prolonged economic stagnation and the mixed legacy of Abenomics. Politically, youth apathy and mistrust in government pose challenges to reforms too.
So to what extent is this view of the world’s fourth biggest economy, valued at $4.29 trillion dollars, accurate? And how is the nation that gave the world Shinkansen, The Walkman and Godzilla shaping its future?
We’ll also delve into Japan’s collective society and explore why the concept of accountability often remains unclear.
Koji provides insights into these multifaceted challenges and potential pathways for improvement. We begin with asking rocky san what’s his view on Japan grappling with its current economic situation, reflecting on its global soft and hard power.
Reading list
Pilling, D. (2014). Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival. New York: Penguin Books.