東京大学公共政策大学院 | GraSPP / Graduate School of Public Policy | The university of Tokyo

This course aims to deepen understanding of East Asian political, economic, and social issues through multidisciplinary analysis. It is designed for students participating in the Campus Asia program but if you are interested in interacting with international students from East Asia, please register for the course.

The tentative schedule of lectures (subject to change) is as follows: -Guidance -Visit to the Japanese Government/Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (subject to change) -Group discussion with students -Field trip -Guest lecture

This course is open from A1 to A2. The timetable shows two consecutive lectures, but as this is a two-credit course, we meet irregularly. Please read the guidelines in UTOL carefully. Details of the timetable will be given on the first day of the course, so please attend the first meeting (October 2nd) if you wish to register for this class.

Non-CAMPUS Asia students interested in registering should submit the Application Form, which includes a Statement of Purpose and a PDF of TOEFL scores (if you were required to submit TOEFL scores during the admission process).

Sorry, this entry is only available in Japanese. For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.

2024年7月10日、本学にて黒田東彦前日本銀行総裁が「財政金融政策に関する私の経験」のテーマでご講演されました。講義前に特別にお時間をいただき、今学期開講中の事例研究「CAMPUS Asia Joint Course: Public Policy in East Asia and Japan I」（担当：服部孝洋特任准教授）の受講生や日本-IMFアジア奨学金プログラム（Japan - IMF Scholarship Program for Asia）を通じて本学に留学中の奨学生などに対し、交流の機会をいただきました。

ブレトンウッズ体制の終焉（ニクソン・ショック）、オイルショック、バブル崩壊、パンデミックといった歴史に残る大事件を振り返り、政策決定者として歴史に学びながらいかに迅速かつ適切に対応することが重要かということを、財務官僚、アジア開発銀行総裁、日本銀行総裁としての長年にわたる豊富なご経験に基づく説得力のある視点でお話くださいました。学生からは多数の質問が我先にと積極的に寄せられ、それに対してひとつひとつに丁寧に見解を共有くださいました。

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また、同日18時より黒田前総裁より、「財政金融政策に関する私の経験」をテーマにご講演いただきました。同講演では、黒田前総裁が財務省に入省した１年目から日本銀行総裁に就任されるまでのご経験について講義いただきました。教室には400名を超える学生や教職員が参加し、多数の質問がでました。また、最後に現在に東大生向けにメッセージをいただきました。講演の詳細については後日、財務省「ファイナンス」を用いて、リリースする予定です。

公共政策を学ぶ学生にとって大変刺激となる貴重な機会となりました。ご多忙な中対応くださいました黒田前総裁とスタッフの方々に感謝申し上げます。

Despite disability being a serious problem in post-conflict regions, to date studies still remain rare. In contrast, recent reports are recognising the importance of disability-inclusive development policy worldwide. Prof. Takasaki’s study aimed to bridge these topics while also filling a gap in systematic empirical studies on disabilities in developing countries. To do so, he turned his eye towards the country with the highest prevalence of amputees in the world, Cambodia, a landscape littered by landmines many of which still remain to this day.

As a key factor, employment plays a crucial role in empowerment and inclusion in society. As reported by the OECD, labour market programs for PWDs can potentially promote their economic inclusion, thus leading to empowerment, reduction of stigma and social inclusion.

Researchers consider stigma to be a social construct, not an attribute of individuals. It is defined as a significantly discrediting attribute that lowers the status of an individual or group in the eyes of society. It can be a dynamic process in which “elements of labelling, stereotyping, separation, status loss and discrimination occur together in a power situation that allows them.” Stigma associated with chronic health conditions has been well studied, emphasising its importance for overall well-being in society.

To examine these factors, Prof. Takasaki designed and conducted a field experiment on vocational training for adults with limb amputation or paralysis in heavily mined areas of rural Cambodia. A small scale vocational training program was run by a local nongovernmental organization (NGO) called the Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society (CWARS). The training was exclusively for PWDs, with stays of up to one year. His study divided a sample of surveyed PWDs into a treatment group (invited to participate in the program) or a control group (not invited to participate). The baseline sample covered 681 PWDs eligible for the program who resided in 305 communities, situated in 65 communes of 8 districts. Among PWDs in the baseline sample, 14% were hand amputees, 62% were leg amputees and 26% had limb paralysis.

The study considered both economic and psychological outcomes from the training. An indicator variable was defined for economic outcomes based on salaried employment, day labour and nonfarming family enterprise. Monthly earnings were also examined as another outcome.

In considering psychological outcomes, categories of stigma that apply to physical disabilities were considered: (1) perceived stigma, consisting of negative feelings or attitudes about stigmatized people in the community, (2) enacted stigma, consisting of actual experiences of discrimination that result from stigma and (3) self-stigma (or internalized stigma), whereby stigmatized people view themselves as deserving of poor treatment.

Household surveys were also conducted among PWDs addressing self-stigma and experiences of discrimination. In a self-report, similar behaviour may have been perceived as discriminatory by some but not by others. The survey questions aimed to measure two categories of indicators: (1) self-stigma, including shame, guilt, and self-blame that PWDs felt because of their disability and (2) experienced discrimination, including indicators of discrimination experienced by PWDs because of their disability.

The results of the study showed that while PWDs assigned to the treatment group experienced greatly increased employment and earnings, they also reported increased discrimination and self-stigmatization. Subjective well-being and perceptions of empowerment were unaltered.

The positive economic impact saw a 26% increase in monthly earnings (about 4.6 USD). This was greater than previous reports for training programs for nondisabled people in developing countries, but similar to results among youth in Uganda and ex-combatants with disabilities in Rwanda. One caveat was that the employment rate among trainees remained low and household income did not increase, instead tending to shift from farming to nonfarming activities. An increase in earnings per hour implied that productivity had improved.

The negative psychological impact was seen in increased discrimination reported by 31% of PWDs who underwent training, as well as signs of persisting self-stigma including feelings of shame among 63% of participants. These counteracting positive economic and negative psychological impacts may have led to no statistically significant change in perceived well-being and empowerment. The results indicate that vocational training can promote PWDs’ economic inclusion but also create negative psychological side effects.

Prof. Takasaki sheds light on the possible mechanisms for these outcomes. Increased economic inclusion may have resulted from the acquisition of skills and networking for employment. The six-month vocational training was intensive and high-quality, designed to advance skills in local labour markets. Skill acquisition was listed as the main benefit obtained from training in 84% of survey responses. At the same time, the program created opportunities to strengthen social networks for trainees. In developing countries, job opportunities are typically learnt through social networks with friends and relatives, placing PWDs at a disadvantage. Reported benefit from networking was also two times more common among trainees who found successful employment than those who did not (45% vs. 21%).

Psychological impact may have resulted from intensive interactions with disabled peers at the training centre which strengthened self-identification as disabled, leading to negative self-stereotyping and self-stigmatization. This possibility is favoured over other effects such as disappointment from trainees who did not find jobs at the end of the program, which could lead to perception of discrimination, as the results were not dependent on salaried employment.

The study contributes crucial evidence towards the strong economic impacts of vocational training among people with war-afflicted disabilities. In addition, it adds insight into the effects of negative self-stereotyping and the overall impact on subjective well-being. Prof. Takasaki concludes that high-quality intensive vocational training is promising for PWDs, but must crucially be combined with effective psychological support. He suggests that negative self-stereotyping may be alleviated by integrated training with nondisabled people. The implications of his study provide an important guide to future disability-inclusive development policy as well as a call for greater empirical studies to better understand these impacts. Such efforts may help to one day unplant the seeds sown by war and their disastrous lingering effects on our society.

 

Editor: Clement Ng Illustration: Designed by Freepik

Related link

Impacts of vocational training for persons with disabilities: Experimental evidence from Cambodia

Journal of Development Economics Volume 169, June 2024, 103277

 

Since 2015, GraSPP has been collaborating with Viet Nam’s Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment to enhance intellectual exchange between Japan and Viet Nam, with the financial support of the Toshiba International Foundation (TIFO). This article summarizes the discussions at the workshop late last year.

On December 5, 2023, GraSPP and CIEM hosted the Viet Nam-Japan Policy Research Forum workshop 2023 - Part 2, titled “Digital Economy Partnership under Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF): How Should Japan and Viet Nam Cooperate?”

The workshop at CIEM’s Conference Hall in Hanoi, certified as a program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam, attracted more than 60 participants from government agencies, academic institutions, business entities, professional associations, bilateral and international organizations, and the media, including The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Viet Nam Office, and the Australian Embassy Vietnam.

The workshop convened with the attendance of Dr. Tran Thi Hong Minh, President of CIEM, Mr. Kazuo Kusakabe, Chief Representative of Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP, and distinguished speakers and commentators. The speakers and commentators were Prof. Takashi Terada, Doshisha University’s Faculty of Law, Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, President of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy and former Vice President of CIEM, Prof. Mie Oba, Kanagawa University’s Faculty of Law, and Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong, Director of CIEM’s Department for General Economic Issues and Integration Studies. Prof. Jun Hanna, Ritsumeikan University’s College of International Relations, also participated in the discussion.

Background

Following the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2017, the remaining members worked under Japan’s coordination to establish the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which entered into force in 2018. The IPEF, launched in May 2022, is another critical initiative with Japan and Viet Nam as members and could serve as a platform for more open and rigorous discussion on new standards of economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. IPEF could offer an opportunity for participating countries to jointly develop new trade- and development-related standards. The digital economy partnership is among the few common areas members have agreed upon.

The workshop provided a platform for sharing experiences and perspectives on Japan-Viet Nam cooperation to create new standards of economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. A summary of the workshop discussion was shared with policymakers in Viet Nam.

The event was the ninth international workshop GraSPP and CIEM had jointly hosted since 2015.

Opening session

Dr. Tran Thi Hong Minh declared the workshop’s opening and emphasized the importance of digital platforms for production and business. She illustrated that digital economy partnerships had also become a feature of international cooperation, with particular attention given to the Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement between Singapore, New Zealand, and Chile. She continued that Viet Nam was making significant efforts to promote the development of the digital economy as part of its growth paradigm shift toward innovation and increased labor productivity.

Dr. Tran added that the country had taken necessary steps, such as promulgating the Law on Electronic Transactions (amended) and approving several decisions, including the national digital transformation program, the e-government development strategy, and the project to promote digital transformation and information technology applications in trade promotion activities. She characterized these policies and roadmaps as a direction toward integrating policy mindsets and solutions for enabling digital transformation.

Dr. Tran stressed that Viet Nam had changed its approach toward digital economic partnerships and that the digital economy cooperation discussed at IPEF presented an opportunity for Viet Nam to refine its policy and legal framework in line with international best practices to enhance its capacity for digital economy development.

Dr. Tran noted that Japan and Viet Nam had long been committed to promoting bilateral relations and recently established the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World. She stressed that the two countries supported each other in various fields at international forums and that it was essential to concretize collaboration related to the digital economy in general and within the IPEF framework.

Dr. Tran’s opening remarks concluded with an appreciation for TIFO's financial support and GraSPP's cooperation in organizing the annual Viet Nam-Japan Policy Research Forum workshop.

Mr. Kazuo Kusakabe drew attention to the significance of the second workshop in 2023 under the Viet Nam-Japan Policy Research Forum to commemorate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan. He underscored Toshiba’s presence in Viet Nam in six diverse businesses and one office, each representing different fields. Mr. Kusakabe highlighted Toshiba’s role as the leading brand in the energy sector, contributing significantly to Viet Nam’s energy supply. Additionally, he illustrated Toshiba’s role in protecting the environment by producing electric motors for the global market and providing clean water through its wastewater treatment technologies. Mr. Kusakabe emphasized the importance of continuously fostering cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam.

Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa highlighted the solid and continuous bilateral cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan and the longstanding partnership between CIEM and GraSPP, which owed its success to the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders and the TIFO’s financial support since 2015. He stressed the timeliness of the workshop to explore opportunities for a digital economy partnership between Japan and Viet Nam, especially in the context of IPEF. With IPEF encountering geopolitical uncertainties, Prof. Nishizawa added that it was a positive sign that Japan and Viet Nam had established the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World. He encouraged all the participants to discuss candidly how to promote Japan-Viet Nam collaboration for a joint digital economy partnership at this critical juncture.

Session 1. Status of Japan-Viet Nam collaboration in the rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific context

Speakers

Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, President, Brand and Competitiveness Strategy Institute; former Vice President of CIEM Prof. Mie Oba, Faculty of Law, Kanagawa University

Commentator

Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP, The University of Tokyo

Moderator

Dr. Tran Thi Hong Minh, President, CIEM

Dr. Vo Tri Thanh proposed to explore the potential of connecting the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, an initiative established originally through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) focusing on trade and investment liberalization. Dr. Vo's idea was to expand the initiative further and create concentric cooperation circles, such as ASEAN+1, CPTPP, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). He further explained that there had been a longstanding discussion about India’s role in those efforts, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific narrative. Dr. Vo considered the 14-member IPEF a significant opportunity to drive sustainable and inclusive development and emphasized the importance of trade, supply chain, clean economy, and fair economy toward global growth and prosperity.

Dr. Vo shared his views that, while China and India’s rise had altered global power dynamics, it was encouraging to see both the United States and China commit to responsible competition. He also described it as encouraging that the relationship between Viet Nam and Japan was strong and mutually beneficial, with many Vietnamese working in Japan, Japanese experts living in Viet Nam, and nationals from both sides sharing ambitious goals and aspirations. He highlighted that Japan had significantly supported Viet Nam’s industrialization and modernization process. At the same time, he added, Viet Nam possessed unique strengths in the pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and medical equipment industries and was working to develop further through strategic investments in human resources and core technologies. Dr. Vo concluded that such collaborations would contribute to a more peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected world.

Prof. Mie Oba made a presentation about advancing institutionalization in Asia amid the turmoil of regional order, with a specific starting point to consider being cooperation on the digital economy. Prof. Oba discussed the existing liberal international order (LIO) as characterized by liberal internationalism, liberal values and norms, and free and open economic order. However, she argued that the three-pillar LIO faced several challenges, including the emergence of China as a global power, a decline in the US hegemonic power, and the adverse effects of globalization on issues such as the environment.

Prof. Oba considered digital transformation essential in advancing inclusive digital trade and reducing transaction costs to facilitate market access. She stressed that the pace of digital transformation in Japanese society should be faster because the digital economy was now part of the first pillar of the Digital Economy Policy Platform (DEPP), which aimed to advance inclusive digital trade by building trust and confidence in the digital economy, enhancing access to online information and internet use, facilitating digital trade, and addressing discriminatory practices.

Prof. Oba mentioned that the IPEF negotiations had faced such challenges as the lack of enthusiasm from the Biden administration and a market access element and suggested watching whether the next administration would continue the talks. She concluded by pointing out several questions surrounding the IPEF’s potential to become a framework for digital cooperation, asking how trade issues under IPEF could be harmonized with other frameworks without solid political commitment, and highlighting the importance of engaging in constructive dialogue and working towards a mutually beneficial solution.

Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa agreed with both speakers and shared his thoughts about the issues discussed. He noted that Dr. Vo compared several initiatives, such as the Pacific Trade and Development Conference (PAFTAD), Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), APEC, and Indo-Pacific approaches, and assessed the evolution of many industries might have been a “natural” process aligned with the principle of “open regionalism,” except for IPEF. Prof. Nishizawa argued that IPEF was an alternative to CPTPP for the US and geopolitically motivated with a feature of closed regionalism to counter China’s presence. Prof. Nishizawa asked Dr. Vo whether IPEF was attractive enough for its member states compared with CPTPP or RCEP and whether the bilateral cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam was a more practical option for developing a digital economy than under IPEF.

Regarding Prof. Oba's presentation, Prof. Nishizawa asserted that some considered advancing institutionalization or rule-setting in Asia a prerequisite for a digital economy partnership between Viet Nam and Japan, especially given the current regional order in turmoil. He asked whether Prof. Oba considered the rivalries between great powers, such as the US and China, could affect cooperation and competition for rule-setting in security and economic fields. Responding to Prof. Oba's views on the roles of middle and small powers in breaking the stalemate, Prof. Nishizawa argued that great power rivalries alone would not determine all rule-setting. He asked Prof. Oba whether cooperation or competition for rule-setting in security and economic fields could be separable or inseparable and whether any new narrative would be available to advance rule-setting using existing institutional frameworks.

Session 2. Digital economy partnership under IPEF: Key contents and implications for Japan-Viet Nam cooperation

Speakers

Prof. Takashi Terada, Doshisha University Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong, Director, Department for General Economic Issues and Integration Studies, CIEM

Moderator

Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), The University of Tokyo

Prof. Takashi Terada presented "Narrowing a Divergence of Digital Trade and Data Rules: Indo-Pacific Regional Frameworks and Viet Nam-Japan Cooperation." He discussed the bilateral cooperation opportunities in the context of Indo-Pacific regional frameworks while highlighting IPEF’s agreements for a clean and fair economy without a consensus on digital trade regulations. In this light, Prof. Terada suggested that Viet Nam could still benefit from the financial support of Japan, Australia, and the US to boost decarbonization and attract Global South economies. He considered that Viet Nam needed to consider whether to take a more open approach to cross-border trade or continue with strict regulations. Prof. Terada mentioned that Viet Nam could benefit from the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) initiative and should consider joining the framework to harmonize digital trade rules. Prof. Terada highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing rule-setting using existing institutional frameworks and Viet Nam’s potential to benefit from such initiatives.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong presented "Digital Economy Partnership under IPEF: A Vietnamese Perspective." Mr. Nguyen discussed the emerging integration trends in Asia-Pacific. He emphasized the increasing attention to fostering economic linkages and free trade agreements (FTAs). He also highlighted some new initiatives and agreements on current digital economy partnerships. Mr. Nguyen continued that digital rules and regulations were expected to play a significant role in shaping the development of industries and national economies, and e-commerce and digital services were increasingly contributing to economic growth. He asserted that, as a result, Viet Nam could promote digital transformation, develop the best practices and regulations for the digital economy, and contribute to setting international rules for the digital economy. At the same time, he listed various challenges facing Viet Nam, such as inadequate digital technology infrastructure, existing legal frameworks unable to support new digital business models, the lack of human resources for the digital economy, inadequate innovative entrepreneurship, and the absence of regulations to protect users. Mr. Nguyen concluded that Viet Nam and Japan should collaborate in sharing best practices and expertise in digital transformation and industry development, rulemaking for the digital economy, upskilling and reskilling of the labor force for digital economy development, and supporting various fora, such as WTO, APEC, and IPEF, on digital economy-related issues.

Panel discussion: Key recommendations for Japan-Viet Nam cooperation to promote digital economy partnership under IPEF

Panelists

Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, President, Brand and Competitiveness Strategy Institute Prof. Mie Oba, Faculty of Law, Kanagawa University Prof. Takashi Terada, Faculty of Law, Doshisha University Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP, The University of Tokyo

Moderator

Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong, Director, Department for General Economic Issues and Integration Studies, CIEM

The panelists addressed questions from the participants and shared additional insights into the goal of IPEF compared with other FTAs and diverse perspectives on promoting digital transformation. Speakers from Japan argued for Viet Nam’s participation in WTO negotiations to develop common digital regulations with Japan and promote digital cooperation. Dr. Vo pointed out the strategic nature of Viet Nam’s commitments in various fora to seek market access in areas where Viet Nam has advantages. He interpreted Viet Nam's motivation to participate in IPEF as jointly developing the rules of the game, keeping up with new trends in trade, and laying the foundation for Viet Nam’s aspiration for accelerating development to reach high-income status by 2045.

Furthermore, the panelists emphasized the need for close and practical cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan to address these issues effectively. They also agreed that both countries could leverage their strengths and expertise to promote digital transformation and develop common digital regulations, which was expected to result in mutually beneficial outcomes while accelerating Viet Nam's development.

Concluding remarks

On behalf of CIEM and with the authorization of Dr. Tran Thi Hong Minh, Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong expressed his sincere appreciation for the speakers' efforts throughout the three sessions. He emphasized that the insights, recommendations, and comments from the discussion would be valuable in shaping the relevant policy notes of CIEM to Vietnamese government agencies. He also thanked TIFO for its continuous and valuable support to CIEM.

Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa joined Mr. Nguyen in commending all the speakers and participants of the Forum and expressed his gratitude for TIFO's support, without which the Viet Nam-Japan Policy Research Forum would not have been possible.

Prof. Nishizawa and Mr. Nguyen expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan. This cooperation could benefit both sides by helping accelerate the growth and development of the digital economy in Viet Nam and promoting mutual understanding and collaboration.

Selected media coverage

https://baomoi.com/viet-nam-nhat-ban-tiem-nang-thuc-day-hop-tac-kinh-te-so-c47726718.epi (in Vietnamese)

https://daibieunhandan.vn/kinh-te-xa-hoi/hop-tac-kinh-te-so-trong-ipef-la-co-hoi-de-viet-nam-hoan-thien-khung-phap-ly-i353039/ (in Vietnamese)

https://thuenhanuoc.vn/tapchi/chuyen-muc/kinh-te-xa-hoi/86ce4628-b018-45e7-9eca-79f2ded81768 (in Vietnamese)

https://bnews.vn/viet-nam-nhat-ban-thuc-day-hop-tac-trong-phat-trien-kinh-te-so/317132.html (in Vietnamese)

https://cand.com.vn/doanh-nghiep/nhat-ban-va-viet-nam-co-nhieu-tiem-nang-de-thuc-day-hop-tac-ve-kinh-te-so-i715998/ (in Vietnamese)

https://Viet Nambiz.vn/ts-vo-tri-thanh-muon-phat-trien-viet-nam-can-tro-thanh-mat-xich-quan-trong-trong-nganh-ban-dan-2023125153552274.htm (in Vietnamese)

About the Forum

Since 2015, GraSPP has been working closely with Viet Nam's Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment to enhance intellectual exchange between Japan and Viet Nam, with the financial support of the Toshiba International Foundation (TIFO). The workshop topics since 2015 are shown together with the speakers and moderators from Japan.

February 15, 2023, in Hanoi | “Promoting Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation for Green Growth after the Pandemic” (Prof. Tomonori Sudo, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Mr. Yoshitomo Kubo, Senior Representative, JICA Viet Nam Office, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

March 3, 2022 (online) | “New Dynamisms in Asia-Pacific Supply Chains beyond COVID-19: Implications for Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation” (Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Keio University, Prof. Mie Oba, Kanagawa University, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

March 15, 2021 (online) | “Enhancing Viet Nam–Japan Cooperation for the Sustainable Energy Future in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region” (Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Keio University, Prof. Masahiro Sugiyama, The University of Tokyo’s Institute for Future Initiatives, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

November 22, 2019, in Hanoi | “How could Viet Nam and Japan Create Mutual Benefit?: Engendering Japan-Viet Nam Industrial Cooperation through Promoting Technology Transfer” (Prof. Kiyohiro Oki, The University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Economics, Mr. Yasuhiro Yamada, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

November 15, 2018, in Hanoi | “Viet Nam-Japan Policy Research Forum: Deepening Bilateral Cooperation after 10 Years of Viet Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement” (Prof. Mie Oba, Tokyo University of Science, Mr. Yasunori Onishi, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

October 27, 2017, in Hanoi | “Exploring New Initiatives for Viet Nam-Japan Cooperation amidst Uncertainties in Asia-Pacific Economic Integration” (Prof. Shujiro Urata, Waseda University, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

March 2, 2017, in Hanoi | “Enhancing Inclusive Growth in the Context of Regional Integration” (Prof. Fukunari Kimura, Keio University, and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

November 13, 2015, in Hanoi | “Partnership Opportunities for Viet Nam’s Successful Inclusion in ASEAN Economic Community” (Prof. Masahiro Kawai and Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, GraSPP)

On July 1, 2024, Dean Daiji Kawaguchi met the delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General and Group Chief of the Sectors Group. The delegation consists of senior staff, including directors responsible for energy, financial sector, human and social development, and economic research and development impact, as well as representatives of the Board of Directors.

Dean Kawaguchi welcomed the delegation and appreciated ADB’s support of GraSPP’s educational program as a client to one of the capstone project courses and through the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). Furthermore, he acknowledged a longstanding scholarship provision under the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (JSP), while Mr. Subramaniam attributed JSP’s success to the Japanese government’s generous financial contribution over the years.

Dean Kawaguchi and Mr. Subramaniam confirmed the continued partnership and discussed the possibility of enhancing collaborative efforts in education and research activities.

About ADB’s Sectors Group

The Sectors Group, led by Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam, is a single operational group comprising seven sector offices that aims to deliver sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in the region and with ADB’s clients. The Sectors Group delivers or supports the delivery of sovereign, non-sovereign, and advisory operations and knowledge services, supports regional departments (RD) and resident missions (RM) in engaging with Developing Member Countries (DMCs), and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally.

On July 1, 2024, GraSPP hosted a guest speaker seminar, “Contributing to development in Asia with professional integrity,” in conjunction with Case Study (Public-Private Partnerships). The seminar aimed to give students a dialogue opportunity with Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General and Group Chief of the Sectors Group of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam started his talk by sharing an impressive recollection of his school years when Prof. Amartya Sen, a Novel Prize laureate, inspired him with a work on “missing one million,” which was about female infanticide in China and India. He recalled recognizing societal bias and discrimination prompted him to think about many other issues related to labor struggles and led him to pursue a doctoral degree in development economics. He continued to present his personal reflections and insights, which contributed to development in Asia during his career since joining ADB as a young professional.

Reference: Presentation slides of Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam

Selected student reflections

“Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam shared his reflections and insights on development issues in Asia, drawing on his experience since joining the ADB in 1997. Furthermore, he conveyed the ADB’s aspirations as a regional and global leader in development expertise in Asia. During the exchange with participants, Mr. Subramaniam also discussed the importance of effective governance in driving sustainable development in Asia, emphasizing the role of transparent policies and strong institutions in fostering growth and stability.” Nurul Syaza Binti AZLISHA

“Dr. Subramaniam shared his extensive ADB experience, providing valuable insights and real-life examples of making difficult decisions in development work. He highlighted the critical roles multilateral development banks (MDBs), particularly ADB, play in improving lives. Emphasizing professional integrity in governance and the pivotal role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in regional development, his discussions on ADB’s strategic initiatives were inspiring. Dr. Subramaniam’s personal reflections underscored essential human values for effective development work. Overall, it was motivating to understand ADB’s contributions and the importance of integrity and collaboration in sustainable development.” GARUD Rahul Deelip

“I found the seminar very engaging as Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam spoke about ADB’s institutional development as an MDB and his journey and projects, which have contributed positively to the economic, social, and health sectors in the developing member countries (DMCs). As I plan to pursue a career in an MDB after I graduate, his experiences gave me more knowledge on what to expect when working in an MDB.” Amelia Dhiena Berliani

“I enjoyed the session by Director General Ramesh Subramaniam. He demonstrated an immense passion for his work and shared how the ADB worked to reduce poverty in Asia. The importance of professional integrity cannot be overstated, where corruption, unfortunately, can siphon away a significant portion of public funds. Every misdirected cent denies its intended recipient much-needed respite from hardship. Overall, it is important to do meaningful work and ensure high due diligence standards to achieve the best results.” TAN Jing Yu William

About the speaker

Ramesh Subramaniam has been with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) since April 1997. As Group Chief of the Sectors Group, he positions ADB as a regional and global leader in development expertise in ADB’s sectors of operations. He previously held senior-level positions in the Central and West Asia Department, the former Office of Regional Economic Integration (OREI), and the former Operations Services and Financial Management Department (OSFMD). Outside of ADB, he is a volunteer/coordinator at the school for about 170 children, infusing basic yet fundamental human values of Truth, Peace, Right Conduct, Non-violence, and Love in education.

About ADB’s Sectors Group

The Sectors Group is a single operational group comprising seven sector offices that aims to deliver sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in the region and with ADB’s clients. The Sectors Group delivers or supports the delivery of sovereign, non-sovereign, and advisory operations and knowledge services, supports regional departments (RD) and resident missions (RM) in engaging with Developing Member Countries (DMCs), and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally.

For the second year of my master’s degree, I studied at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), the National University of Singapore, on the Double Degree Programme.

The orientation week, which was scheduled before the beginning of classes, was a nice beginning to my studies at LKYSPP. There were various events scheduled, including information sessions, library tours, and activities.

The orientation activity called the “Singapore Experience” was one of the highlights of orientation week. We were divided into teams, and visited multiple places in Singapore following the tasks assigned. We then discussed the policy implications of each of the sites we visited, and submitted a video introducing what we learned and discussed. The videos were submitted and reviewed by school staff, and my team won first place in the video contest. We were happy to hear this result as we spent many hours discussing the policy objectives of the sites we visited.

The classes at LKYSPP have a strong focus on policies in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Therefore there are many opportunities to learn about the policies across the region. Also, as another feature of LKYSPP, there is a compulsory class called the Policy Analysis Exercise in which we work on capstone projects in groups. The class which looked at global issues through the perspective of ethics was especially interesting. In this class, we learned about the debates among philosophers and discussed the possible policy approaches based on their views.

I enjoyed daily life in Singapore very much. The walk to campus was nice as the campus is located next to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. I enjoyed exploring Singapore, especially the various dishes from different countries around Southeast Asia.

There are many things that could be gained from studying abroad. I hope that those who will be studying abroad will also have a valuable experience at both GraSPP and graduate school abroad.

 

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2024年7月3日、今学期開講中の事例研究「CAMPUS Asia Joint Course: Public Policy in East Asia and Japan I」（担当：服部孝洋特任准教授）の一環で、財務省を訪問しました。本講義は、東京大学・北京大学・ソウル大学校・シンガポール国立大学の交流プログラム（キャンパスアジア・プラスプログラム）に所属する学生に向けた授業です。本講義は当プログラムに参加していない東大生も履修可能であり、今期も多くの留学生や日本人学生が履修し、多様なバックグラウンドを有する学生が交流する授業となっています。

[caption id="attachment_47948" align="aligncenter" width="436"] 財務省前での集合写真[/caption]

財務省への訪問では、まず、石田良室長のガイドにより財務省内を見学しました。その後、石田室長および浅見万葉課長補佐に講義いただきました。石田室長は翌週に予定している黒田東彦前日本銀行総裁の特別講義を念頭に、物価情勢や金融政策を踏まえた日本のマクロ経済政策を中心にご説明くださいました。浅見課長補佐からは、日本の税制度の概要、現状と課題についてお話いただきました。講義内容を踏まえ、学生からは活発に質問が寄せられました。

 

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その後、若手官僚の方々も数名、業務の合間に加わってくださり、学生4、５人に分けたグループに入り１時間弱、英語でグループ・ディスカッションを行いました。

公共政策大学院に所属する学生にとって実際の政策担当者と議論する機会は大変有益であり、昨年に引き続き財務省内でご対応いただいた方々に感謝申し上げます。

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GraSPP Research Seminar—Economic Policy, Finance & Development Series―hosted jointly with the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS)

Background

The trilateral cooperation process among the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (CJK) began in 1999 and was further strengthened and institutionalized with the launch of the Trilateral Summit in 2008. Before the CJK cooperation process started, regional cooperation in Asia had been institutionalized and developed under the ASEAN+3 framework launched in 1997 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. The latest Trilateral Summit, held on May 27, 2024, reaffirmed CJK’s commitment to implementing the Trilateral Cooperation Vision for the Next Decade adopted in 2019, which pointed out that the three countries' long-term target is to achieve economic integration in the region. Furthermore, the “Trilateral + X Cooperation” was promoted at the Trilateral Summit in May 2024 to ensure the benefits of the trilateral cooperation would be extended to other countries so that the three countries can prosper together with other regions.

However, there have been obstacles to economic relations in East Asia; the China-Japan-the ROK Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (CJK FTA) negotiations have been at a deadlock since 2013. In the meantime, Japan led the negotiations for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), signed in March 2018 without China and the ROK. On the other hand, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which entered into force in January 2022, represents the first-ever economic partnership agreement, including CJK. It is expected to step up regional economic cooperation and help accelerate the long-awaited CJK FTA negotiation process, as stated in the Joint Declaration of the Ninth Trilateral Summit.

The TCS will host the 2024 Trilateral Economic Cooperation Seminar with The University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) by inviting the authors of the 2024 Trilateral Economic Report and other experts to discuss the research findings and exchange their views on possible measures to deepen economic integration among CJK and ASEAN.

Date & Time

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

10:00 -13:00 (JST, registration starts at 9:45)

Venue

SMBC Academia Hall, 4th floor, International Academic Research Building, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo

https://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GraSPP-affiliated-building-placement-map-20200316.pdf

Hosts

Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), The University of Tokyo

Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS)

Language

English

Registration

Please register here or by using the QR code.

† Graduate School of Public Policy collects personal information to provide you with the event-related URL and information about the current and future activities. Your personal information will not be disclosed to any third party.

Program

10:00-10:05

Opening remarks

LEE Hee-sup, Secretary-General, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat

10:05-10:10

Welcome remarks

KAWAGUCHI Daiji, Dean & Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo

10:10-10:15

Group photo

10:15-11:25

Session I: Economic and trade cooperation in East Asia

Moderator:

SAWADA Yasuyuki, Professor, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo

Presentation & discussion:

LIU Qing, Deputy Dean & Professor, National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China

KAWAI Masahiro, Emeritus Professor, The University of Tokyo

JEONG Hyung-Gon, Senior Research Fellow, Japan and East Asia Team, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

Archanun KOHPAIBOON, Associate Professor, Thammasat University (online)

11:25-11:40

Break

11:40-12:50

Session II: Trilateral + ASEAN for regional economic integration

Moderator:

NISHIZAWA Toshiro, Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), The University of Tokyo

Presentation & discussion:

ZHANG Jianping, Deputy Director, Academic Steering Committee, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation

KUNO Arata, Professor, Faculty of International Relations, Asia University

AHN Choong Yong, Distinguished Professor, Graduate School of International Studies, Chung Ang University

Dionisius NARJOKO, Senior Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

12:50-

Closing Remarks

LEE Hee-sup, Secretary-General, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat

Contact for inquiry

GraSPP Research Seminar Secretariat

Email: graspp_eventinfo<at>pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp (please replace <at> with @)

Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) is an international organization established with a vision to promote lasting peace, common prosperity and shared culture among the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Upon the agreement signed and ratified by each of the three governments, the TCS was officially inaugurated in Seoul in September 2011. The establishment of TCS marked a significant milestone and achievement in terms of the institutionalization of the trilateral cooperation among the three countries started in 1999.

https://www.tcs-asia.org/en/main/