Japan is undergoing a period of dramatic political transition. Prime Minister Noda has just been reelected as DPJ leader and has undertaken a Cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to boost sagging popularity. Meanwhile the LDP has elected former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the party president, and is positioning to take control of the government after lower house elections. And a third party candidate, the popular Toru Hashimoto, is emerging from the shadows of Osaka to the national stage with his Japan Restoration Party.

At this time of political transition and uncertainty, Japan is struggling with a number of weighty and controversial issues:

territorial disputes with China and Taiwan over the Senkakus, Korea over Takeshima and Russia over the Northern Territories
a new basic energy policy, including a future energy mix that relies more on renewable energy and a decreased reliance on nuclear energy
whether to join the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement, despite significant opposition from various special interest groups
how to deal with continued fiscal imbalances and the high yen

What does the political uncertainty mean for Japan’s attempt to deal with these challenges, and how will your business be impacted? How is Japan communicating its strategy to the rest of the world, and are they listening? And does your business have the right channels of communications open to ensure that you are getting the full picture to enable you to deal with the risks and potential leadership changes?

Friday, 12 October 2012
1230PM-1400PM

Roppongi Hills Club (Reservation under Soo)
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan