Seminar with Professor Werner Pascha /PP Slides uploaded

Economic Mega Trends in Japan - The Industrial Structure and International Competitiveness by Professor Werner Pascha, Duisburg-Essen University.

Long-term trends of the Japanese economy, beyond the shorter term ups and downs of the business cycle, have considerable implications for the industrial structure and competitiveness. The dynamism of the Japanese economy is still considerable, as can be seen from a quantitative indicator of industrial specialisation. Moreover, there is a noticable dualism between open, competitive sectors and branches resistant to change. A third issue is whether the traditional strength in assembly industries, based on Japan´s well-described structural properties, is still useful for future challenges. It is argued that the huge domestic demand with its shifting needs makes Japan a noteworthy lead market for novel products. Summing up, Japan´s industrial structure shows considerable strengths and potentials, while it has been frequently underrated in recent years.

Professor Dr. Werner Pascha studied economics at the University of Freiburg, Germany, at the London School of Economics and Political Science and at Nagoya University, Japan. Since 1992, he is Full Professor of East Asian Economic Studies at Duisburg-Essen University, Germany, assigned to the Department of Business Studies (Mercator School of Management) and to the Institute of East Asian Studies. His research interests include economic, particularly institutional change in Japan and Korea as well as the intra- and interregional economic relations of East Asia. He held visiting professorships and fellowships at the Academy of Korean Studies, near Seoul, Kyoto University, Waseda University in Tokyo, Kobe University, and at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), Seoul. Among other duties, he is Chairman of the Advisory Board on Japan-Korea, German Association for Asian Studies, and Member of the Steering Committee, EastAsiaNet (European Research School Network of Contemporary East Asian Studies).

Confirmation of attendance would be highly appreciated. Contact Lise Peitersen, lp.int@cbs.dk