Keizai Society: "Three Scenarios for Japan's Future"

[Mulboyne]

If you have 2 hours to spend, you might be interested in a video recording of a meeting at the Keizai Society where Michi Kaifu, Rochelle Kopp and Kimberly Wiefling discuss "Three Scenarios for Japan's Future".

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/5548800

It takes few minutes to start and sometimes the sound drops but you can hear all the main points.

Kaifu, author of "Paradise Sakoku", argues that Japanese people and companies have become insular because they are more comfortable at home. Kopp argues that Japan might become marginalized because of its inability to deal with the challenges ahead and may end up becoming an Asian version of Italy. Wiefling is much more optimistic. She comes across at first as a wide-eyed noob but begins to argue her case more forcefully as the talk goes on. In essence, she says that Japan will change because steps are being taken now to educate future managers. She believes that global economic power in Asia may lie with China but Japan is a more trustworthy partner for the rest of the world.

I had this on in the background while doing some work and, while it didn't have any new insights, was a useful summary of the kind of things you hear about Japan these days.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Kimberly Wiefling...She comes across at first as a wide-eyed noob...

And second...and third....and fourth, for that matter.

Japan's 3 scenarios for mine: Worse, Worser, Worsest.

[Mock Cockpit]

Kopp argues that Japan might become marginalized because of its inability to deal with the challenges ahead and may end up becoming an Asian version of Italy.

Yeah Italy, what a basket case they are with all that history, great food and scenery, membership of the G8 etc.

[gkanai]

Yeah Italy, what a basket case they are with all that history, great food and scenery, membership of the G8 etc.

I love Italy. Love the food, the people, the countryside, etc. But to think that Italy is doing well is to ignore all of the reality. There's no way the EU would let Italy in today if it was applying to enter (like Romania is.) And if you think Greece is a broken economy, Italy is arguably as bad and is a larger problem for the EU as a whole.

FT.com / Markets / Insight - Is Italy the real joker in the eurozone pack?

The Garbage of Naples: How the Mafia Helped Send Italy's Trash to Germany - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International
nrc.nl - International - Features - Italy is sick of its own corruption

[gkanai]

Where is the Keizai Society based? US or Japan?

Ah, ok they're SF-based.

[Greji]

Ah, ok they're SF-based.

That would be Science Fiction Based of course.....