Corporate members and Leadership Circle are invited to attend this program!

Following months of speculation and anticipation, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has reshuffled his cabinet, replacing his foreign and defense ministers while retaining key stalwarts including the finance and trade ministers. The reshuffle aims to boost his government’s declining support and may offer insights into a potential snap election. While a general election is not due until October 2025, many believe Kishida could gamble on an early poll to capitalize on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) strong performance in key local elections earlier this year. Notably, Kishida has appointed a record-tying five female members to the cabinet and another female within the LDP’s executive ranks. However, only a small percentage of Japanese lawmakers in the National Diet are women. How might these developments in the Kishida administration affect the trajectory of government policies in Japan? Will the LDP continue to enjoy voters’ support on regional security, cost of living, and low birth rates? What are the implications of an increasingly conservative or right-leaning political atmosphere in Japan?

This session will operate under the Chatham House Rule – all remarks by speakers and participants are off the record and not for attribution.

Corporate members and board directors are invited to join this event.

Date & Time:

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 • 4:00 – 5:00 PM PDT
Thursday, September 28, 2023• 8:00 – 9:00 PM JPT

Format:
Virtual, on Zoom

Admission:
FREE
**Zoom link provided upon registration
Corporate members and Leadership Circle ONLY

Agenda:

4:00 – 4:05 PM PDT Welcome Remarks
– Welcome Remarks: Lionel C. Johnson | President, Pacific Pension & Investment Institute (PPI)
4:05 – 4:35 PM PDT Panel Discussion
– Kiyoaki Aburaki | Managing Director, BowerGroup Asia
– Emma Chanlett-Avery | Deputy Director, Washington, DC Office and Director of Political-Security Affairs, Asia
Society Policy Institute; Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, National Association of Japan-America Societies
Moderated by:
David Semaya | Executive Chairman and Representative Director, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management
4:35 – 5:00 PM PDT Q&A
5:00 PM PDT Closing and Adjournment
– Steve Pollock | President, Japan Society of Northern California

In Cooperation with

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