OUR RESEARCH PROGRAMSOUR RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Message from the CEO

CEO, Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research Yuichiro Anzai .....................

4

Research Programs

Developing Sustainable and Resilient Health, Nursing, and Long-Term Care Systems in the
Post-COVID Era

Principal Investigator: Kenji Shibuya, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

Using Health Metrics to Monitor and Evaluate the Impact of Health Policies
Health System Innovation in the Post-COVID Era

5

Principal Investigator: Shuhei Nomura, SENIOR FELLOW .....................

5

Principal Investigator: Kohei Onozaki, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

6

Rethinking Global Health Policy in the Post-COVID Era.....................

6

Principal Investigator: Kiyosu Taniguchi, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

7

Principal Investigator: Haruka Sakamoto, SENIOR FELLOW

Establishing Health System Resilience to Tackle the Health Security Crisis

The Impact of Quality of Education on Children’s Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills

Principal Investigator: Makiko Nakamuro, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

Future Vision for Sustainable Water Management

Principal Investigator: Taikan Oki, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Japanese Social Structure

Principal Investigator: Osamu Sudoh, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

Reconstructing the Science and Technology Policy System

Principal Investigator: Hideaki Shiroyama, RESEARCH DIRECTOR .....................

Strategies for Technological Innovation and Economic Revitalization in the New Era of Global
Competition

Research Representative: Kiyoteru Tsutsui, SENIOR FELLOW .....................

7

8

8

9

9

Plans for Sustainable and Politically Acceptable Fiscal Consolidation and Social Insurance Reformfrom the Perspectives of Behavioral Economics and Political Science

Principal Investigator: Motohiro Sato, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 10

Redefining the Teacher as a High-Level Professional: With a View to Ensuring Both Quantity andQuality
Principal Investigator: Mina Matsumoto, RESEARCH DIRECTOR

2.....................

10

Evidence-Based Policy Research Leading to the Promotion of a Gender-Equal Society

Principal Investigator: Yoshikuni Ono, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 11

Economic Data and Evidence-Based Policymaking

Principal Investigator: Nobuo Iizuka, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 11

Assessing the Integrated Reform of Tax and Social Security Systems in Japan

Principal Investigator: Shigeki Morinobu, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 12

Economic Analysis of Personal Income Tax Reform

Principal Investigator: Takero Doi, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 12

Japan’s Response to an Accelerating Global Energy Transition

Principal Investigator: Hikaru Hiranuma, SENIOR FELLOW

Advancing Renewable Energy Initiatives through Local Ownership

Principal Investigator: Hikaru Hiranuma, SENIOR FELLOW.....................

13.....................

13

Development of Well-Being Indicators and Policy Packages

Principal Investigator: Hiroaki Miyata, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 14

Historical Analysis

Principal Investigator: Yuichi Hosoya, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 14

Improving Accessibility of Home-visit Nursing Services

Principal Investigator: Miwa Ishihara, RESEARCH DIRECTOR ..................... 15

Digitalization of the Economy and International Taxation

Principal Investigator: Naoki Oka, RESEARCH FELLOW ..................... 15

Economic Policy Regime in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Principal Investigator: Hideo Hayakawa, SENIOR FELLOW ..................... 16

Quantitative Analysis of Epidemics and Economic Implications

Principal Investigator: Asako Chiba, POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW ..................... 16

Managing the Risk of RMB Internationalization and Digitalization

Principal Investigator: Long Ke, SENIOR FELLOW ..................... 17

Dissecting the Growth Problems of Japanese Start-ups

Principal Investigator: Shumpei Takemori, RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Policy Evaluation of Cross-Regional Interconnection Lines in the Electricity Market

Principal Investigator: Kota Sugimoto, POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW.....................

17.....................

18

The Problem of Unclaimed Land: Analysis of New Policies

Principal Investigator: Shoko Yoshihara, RESEARCH FELLOW ..................... 18

CSR Research Project.....................

19

3

Message from the CEO

Yuichiro Anzai
CEO, Tokyo Foundation
for Policy Research

To better meet the challenges of the seismic shifts occurring in society, both at home
and abroad, Japan needs to quickly revamp its postwar political, economic, and social
systems to give individuals greater freedom to choose their own paths in life, pursue a fullerrole in society, have a bigger say in government decisions, and actively participate in thepreservation of peace.
Achieving these goals at a time of sweeping change requires an innovative think tankto research and implement new ideas unfettered by the conventions and practices of the
postwar years. In October 2021, the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research transitioned
to a restructured system of policy research to analyze issues and identify solutions ininnovative, new ways.
Such a policy innovator can longer rely on the “convoy system” that helped guide
Japan’s postwar growth but must articulate the needs of independent-minded individuals
and undertake research that can enrich people’s lives and society, revive Japan’s
dynamism, and help preserve peace, while at the same time keeping an eye on historicalprecedents and international trends.
Our experts are now conducting policy research in the following five domains:• Economy, fiscal policy, environment, resources, and energy• Health, medical services, and nursing care
• Education, human resources development, employment, and social security• Science, technology, and innovation• Digital revolution and social transformation through digitalization.
Five Research Domains

I.

Ⅴ.

Economy, fiscal policy,
environment,
resources,
energyDigital revolution,social transformation
through
digitalization

Ⅳ.

Science,technology,
innovation

International
trends,historicalperspectives

Ⅱ.
Health,medical services,nursing care

Ⅲ.

Education,
human resources
development,
employment,social security

This publication (https://www.tokyofoundation.org/news/detail.php?news_id=2041)
introduces the approximately 30 research programs currently underway (as of July 2022) atthe Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research and the research fellows engaged in those programs.
Our restructured system of policy research has only just begun, and many aspectsof the new setup are still in their formative stages. We have come a long way, though,since our founding in 1997 as the Global Foundation for Research and Scholarship, and
we look forward to working with and sharing our insights with all our stakeholders in themonths and years ahead.
Read Online

4Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Developing Sustainable and Resilient Health,Nursing, and Long-Term Care Systems in the
Post-COVID Era

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Kenji Shibuya

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the failure of existing systems has been revealed in many
ways. Japan has enjoyed excellent health indicators,
including the world’s longest life expectancy, sincethe 1980s, but in recent years, the sustainability of
its health, nursing, and long-term care systems isunder threat due to low fertility, population aging,growing burden from non-communicable disease,rising medical and long-term care costs, and political and economic uncertainties. In order to tackle
these issues, there is an urgent need for reform efforts
to employ a data-driven approach and to propose
policy changes on the basis of scientific monitoringand evaluation. In the fields of health, nursing, andlong-term care systems, personalization and precision care are under way, and the influence of glo-

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Carebalization is inevitable. Simultaneously, in the future,
Japanese society where “autonomy, decentralization, and collaboration” will be essential, local governments and the business sector would be required
to employ a comprehensive and systematic assessment of policy proposals for outcome-oriented decision-making. In this research, we will make policy
proposals and recommendations that contribute to
the transformation of health, nursing, and long-termcare systems from the perspectives of health metrics,
resilience, innovation, and global health and to thedevelopment of future policy-oriented leaders.

Shuhei Nomura
SENIOR FELLOW

Kohei Onozaki

RESEARCH DIRECTORHaruka Sakamoto
SENIOR FELLOW

Kiyosu Taniguchi

RESEARCH DIRECTOR(alphabetical order)

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Using Health Metrics to Monitor and Evaluate
the Impact of Health Policies

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Shuhei Nomura
SENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigators

In recent years, the sustainability of Japan’s
health, nursing, and long-term care systems is under
threat due to low fertility, population aging, growing burden from non-communicable disease, rising
medical and long-term care costs, and political andeconomic uncertainties. In order to tackle these issues, there is an urgent need for reform efforts toemploy a data-driven approach using comprehensive population health metrics and to propose policy changes on the basis of scientific monitoring andevaluation. The future system of “community-oriented health care that enhances the value of patientsby focusing on outcomes,” presented in Health Care
2035, requires empirical, policy-oriented researchin order to tackle major health policy challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also confounded

health and long-term care needs and their provisionsystems. In close collaboration with other sub-theme
research units, this study will establish a monitoringand evaluation framework; contribute to the transformation of health, nursing, and long-term care systems in Japan; and make effective policy proposals
and recommendations.

Takuhiro Moromizato
SENIOR FELLOW

Haruyo Nakamura
RESEARCH FELLOW

Erika OtaRESEARCH DIRECTOR

Takahiro Tabuchi
SENIOR FELLOW

Daisuke Yoneoka
SENIOR FELLOW

5

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Health System Innovation in the Post-COVID
EraDigital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Kohei Onozaki

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Health care system reforms have been often discussed in a short-sighted and patchwork manner,which has exacerbated system failures. However,reform without a vision does not open up future prospects and may not facilitate a national debate that isessential for major reforms. In particular, In the midstof the global COVID-19 pandemic, the failure of theexisting health and social systems has been revealed
in many ways. It exposed the fundamental challenges and inequalities in the health, nursing, andlong-term care systems. On the other hand, digitaltransformation has advanced various system innovations, enabling scientific knowledge to be immediately shared across the world. In response to thesetrends, new solutions and business models are being
proposed and tested globally. The present research

will present a future vision of system innovation in thefields of health, nursing, and long-term care systems,
and make policy proposals and recommendations
that contribute to the system transformations.

Takanori Fujita
SENIOR FELLOW

Hiroaki Miyata

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Takeo Morooka
SENIOR FELLOW

Mitsuru Mukaigawara
RESEARCH FELLOW

Haruyo Nakamura
RESEARCH FELLOW

Daisuke SatoSENIOR FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Rethinking Global Health Policy in the
Post-COVID Era

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Haruka Sakamoto
SENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigators

Japan has considered global health as an essential element of “human security” and one of its
diplomatic strategies. However, global health isfacing a major transformation due to the COVID-19
pandemic. In particular, the division of multilateral
cooperation and unscientific responses, which reflected the global political sentiment, accelerated
the worsening of the pandemic and exposed the fundamental governance challenges in global health.
Furthermore, with the decline in the WHO’s financial
and political capacity, the influence of public-private partnerships, private foundations, and, in recent years, the private sector has increased. Global
health is no longer a traditional public health matterbut should be interdisciplinary and cross-cutting inclose collaboration with related fields, such as na-

6tional security, fiscal policy, economic policy, andscience and technology. The objectives of this study
are three-fold: (1) to make policy recommendations
for Japan’s global health strategy from the perspectives of public-private partnerships, innovative technologies, and impact investment; (2) to enhance Japan’s domestic health sector reform through learningfrom system innovations in developing countries; and(3) to develop future leaders in global health policy.

Mitsuru Mukaigawara
RESEARCH FELLOW

Haruyo Nakamura
RESEARCH FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Establishing Health System Resilience to Tackle
the Health Security Crisis

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Kiyosu Taniguchi
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

In recent years, the term “resilience” has been
defined as “the ability to adapt, bounce, and survive stress from the external environment and forces,” which is applicable to both individuals andorganizations. It is receiving widespread attention.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed fundamental
system failures at the national level, demonstrating
the need for local governments and the businesssector to transform themselves into resilient and sustainable systems. In the present research, we employ“human security,” that is, “protecting the vital core of
all human lives in a way that enhances human freedoms, fulfilment, and capabilities” as a basic concept; examine the health crisis that threatens “humansecurity” using an interdisciplinary and systematic
approach; and establish a policy framework for re-silient health and social systems.
Keisuke Ejima
SENIOR FELLOW

Takuhiro Moromizato
SENIOR FELLOW

Mitsuru Mukaigawara
RESEARCH FELLOW

Haruyo Nakamura
RESEARCH FELLOW

Yasuharu Tokuda
SENIOR FELLOW

Masaharu Tsubokura

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

The Impact of Quality of Education on Children’s
Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Makiko Nakamuro
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Although evidence-based policy making (EBPM)
is the standard in US and European countries, Japanlags behind, especially in the fields of education. In
this study, researchers will closely work with policy
makers from central- and local governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders andconduct the rigorous impact evaluations of education policies. Through this research project, we seek
to create concrete examples of EBPM in educationand promote EBPM in Japan.

Keiko Fujisawa

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Taiyo Fukai

RESEARCH FELLOW

Chihiro Inoue

RESEARCH FELLOW

Soichiro Sugita

RESEARCH FELLOW

Shintaro Yamaguchi

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

7

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Future Vision for Sustainable Water Management

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Taikan Oki

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

In this research project, we aim to articulate a future vision for water in a broader, social context, focusing on such issues as water and regional revitalization, water and sustainable development, and thepassing on of Japan’s abundant water resources tofuture generations. Further, we will clarify and prioritize the risks associated with water in Japan that are
currently overlooked and will publicize policy briefs
to the national government, local governments, politicians, and companies addressing the long-term
efforts needed to manage the risks.
Through expert hearings and civic workshops,
we will articulate a vision for Japan’s sustainable
management of water in 2050 and 2100 and at thesame time conduct literature surveys, aggregate statistical information, conduct on-site reconnaissance,

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Careand investigate issues of concern toward its realization, using numerical simulations, if necessary.

Junji Hashimoto

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Shinichiro Nakamura
SENIOR FELLOW

Michiru Sasagawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

The Impact of Digital Transformation on
Japanese Social Structure

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Osamu Sudoh

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

The Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation (CSTI) points to the need to build a digitalsocial infrastructure that fuses cyberspace and physical space to address serious social issues, such asaging, environmental degradation, and pandemics,
and construct a new, all-inclusive society. This is thecore of DX (digital transformation).
However, Japan has been noticeably slow toembrace DX compared to other developed countries. Compared to advanced IT countries, investments in the cloud infrastructure that forms the basis
of DX has not been increasing. While investigating
the strategies, policy trends, and available data ofeach country, we will clarify the structural issues
peculiar to Japanese society that are hindering DX.
In order to overcome these issues, this project plans

8

both empirical experiments and questionnaire surveys and will propose a DX policy roadmap to realize Society 5.0.
In this research, we will conduct empirical experiments on data standardization, cloud infrastructure,open APIs, and loosely coupled architectures. Basedon this, we propose security policies and personal
data policies. Also, we consider how to contract
agile digital governance and foster the next-generation of IT human resource. Furthermore, we intend
to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and theimprovement of people’s lives in local communities.

Shoko HaraRESEARCH FELLOW

Ayako KatoSENIOR FELLOW

Kazutaka Matsuzaki
SENIOR FELLOW

Takuho Mitsunaga
SENIOR FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Reconstructing the Science and Technology
Policy System

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hideaki Shiroyama
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Modern science and technology policies do not
only target research and development in a narrow
sense but also require close coordination with socialtransformation in various fields. In such a context,
major decisions in science and technology policy
require coordination with various stakeholders, including diverse ministries and agencies with fieldpresence. Responses to COVID-19, digitalization,and climate change are accelerating these changes.
In addition, geopolitical factors, such as US-China
confrontation, are becoming more important in science and technology policy, and the need to enhance resilience in international supply chains isbeing recognized. Japan’s science and technology
innovation ecosystem need to be placed in thisinternational context. Furthermore, compared toother OECD countries, Japan has less government
involvement in R&D investment, and the utilizationof private R&D investment and collaboration withthe private sector are becoming more important. In
this context, it is also important to take into accounts
the inherent challenges of R&D in the private sector and provide appropriate direction. In the light ofthese changes, this study examines how the scienceand technology policy system, which consists of thedivision of roles among various actors involved inscience and technology policy, the way they interact with each other, and the policy instruments used,needs to be reconstructed, based on the analysis ofcase studies, including comparisons among fields
and countries.

Atsuo Kishimoto

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Akio Kurokawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Makiko Matsuo
SENIOR FELLOW

Kazuto Suzuki

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Tohru YoshiokaKobayashi
SENIOR FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Strategies for Technological Innovation andEconomic Revitalization in the New Era of
Global Competition

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Research Representative
Read Online

Kiyoteru Tsutsui
SENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigators

This project examines strategies for Japan tocompete in the next round of economic competitionin the coming decades. Having succeeded in the
manufacturing era, Japan entered the 1990s as an
economic superpower. However, the subsequent
lost decades saw the Japanese economy in decline
while the U.S. economy regained its dominance led
by innovative businesses coming out of Silicon Valley. What enabled these successes in Silicon Valley
and elsewhere and what can Japan learn from thesemodels? We will examine policies, business environments, human resource developments, and other key
aspects of successful regions such as Silicon Valley
and explore what policy tools could be adopted
in Japan, as it seeks to stimulate more innovations
and revitalize its economy. We focus on the follow-

ing four areas and make policy recommendations
toward a more innovative and dynamic Japan thatencourages new challenges and innovations thatwould increase the productivity of a shrinking population and contribute to the enhanced well-being of
the people: (1) education reform and human capitaldevelopment; (2) a more fluid labor market that effectively utilizes human capital; (3) reconfigurationof the capital market and investment environment;and (4) corporate governance and philosophy.

Charles Crabtree
SENIOR FELLOW

Kenji Kushida
SENIOR FELLOW

Hiroaki Kuwajima
SENIOR FELLOWYasumasa Yamamoto
SENIOR FELLOW

9

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Plans for Sustainable and Politically Acceptable Fiscal
Consolidation and Social Insurance Reform from the Perspectives of Behavioral Economics and Political Science

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Motohiro SatoRESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

This research considers pathways to a sustainablefiscal and social security system in the post-COVID
era. We will present multiple reform options andtheir anticipated social benefits and tax burdens,
and then make recommendations to the government,
local authorities, and the public. Because any proposed reform needs to have both “economic feasibility” and “political feasibility,” we will seek to offer
economically rational fiscal consolidation plans thatare based on robust evidence and logic while also
striving for communication and dialogue with thevoting public. Specifically, we will make long-term
public finance and social security estimates basedon data available from such government sources as
the Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Health, Labor,and Welfare; and Cabinet Office and offer scenar-

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Careios according to growth rate and benefit level. The
consumption tax rate will be a key measure for thispurpose. At the same time, we will make estimatesof benefits and tax levels according to different attributes, such as households with full-time homemakers,
young-generation households, single-person households, and future-generation households. In making
these estimates, certain assumptions will be madebased on household surveys and current trends. Furthermore, our reform proposal will be applicable toboth the central and local level governments throughadjustments in the parameters.

Sota KatoRESEARCH DIRECTOR

Keiichiro Kobayashi

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Yukio Maeda

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Fumio Ohtake

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Redefining the Teacher as a High-Level Professional: With a View to Ensuring Both Quantity
and Quality

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Mina Matsumoto
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigator

Japan’s system of teacher education has undergone rapid change in recent years. We see more
and more courses for those who want to becomea teacher, but we do not actually know how theyaffect teacher education. Many who participate inteacher education courses do not even know how
to pose questions to their teachers because of thekind of education they have received. If the teachers
themselves are unable to ask questions, what kind of
students will they raise?
In 2018, the education ministry attempted to
re-examine teacher education by conducting an indepth survey of the current state of teacher education. Without publishing what problems the survey
revealed, the ministry nonetheless initiated anotherround of reforms in teacher education.

10

Can the changes being implemented actually
address current needs? To answer this, it is essential
to first ascertain what is going on. This project, therefore, will examine the kind of teacher education thatis currently being offered at universities and publicize the results. This will be the first step in launchingbroad public debate on this issue and identifying
potential solutions.

Shigeki Kaizuka

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Evidence-Based Policy Research Leading to thePromotion of a Gender-Equal Society

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Yoshikuni Ono

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

This research program focuses on the field ofgender, which is rapidly accumulating new research
results in various fields of social science. In addition
to effectively communicating the latest academic
findings to the press, policymakers, and the generalpublic, we will conduct original research and present the policy implications and applicability of thefindings to Japan in order to stimulate policy debate.
We also aim to contribute to the promotion of a gender-equal society.

Yuko Kasuya

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Yuri Miyamoto

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Yoko Okuyama
SENIOR FELLOW

Hirohisa Takenoshita

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Economic Data and Evidence-Based Policymaking

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Nobuo Iizuka

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

The importance of evidence-based policymaking (EBPM) has been increasingly recognized. We,
however, are subject to the constraint of economic
data availability to make policy more evidence
based. In this project, we not only conduct researchon evidence-based policy evaluation but also develop databases for EBPM. Here are the five agendas. First, we develop and use real-time data, which
are sets of information at the time policy decisions
are made, to evaluate economic policies. Second,
as well as developing economic indicators that canbe used to judge the current business climate early
and accurately, we nowcast GDP, in other words,
we compute a running estimate of GDP by using
available data. Third, we grasp economic trends at
an early stage that cannot be done by government

statistics. In so doing, we study “alternative data”—
non-traditional data generated by the business activities of private firms. Fourth, we examine and evaluate the government’s reforms of national statistics
and make recommendations. Fifth, we forecast themedium- to long-term macroeconomic outlook for
the Japanese economy by working with a group of
professional forecasters.

Hideaki Hirata
SENIOR FELLOW

Yasuyuki Komaki
SENIOR FELLOW

Yoshihiro Otsuka
SENIOR FELLOW

Satoshi Urasawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Nariyasu Yamasawa
SENIOR FELLOW

11

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Assessing the Integrated Reform of Tax andSocial Security Systems in Japan

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Shigeki Morinobu
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigator

Japan’s biggest challenge is building a secureand vibrant society in spite of a declining birthrate
and an aging population. We need redistribution
policies to reduce wealth and income inequity andnew approaches to building sustainable social security and pension systems. Policies for securing
financial resources for such systems and promoteeconomic growth are also needed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the policy agendas of the past. We need to make important new choices, such as how to share the roles of
the government and citizens in responding to thepandemic and how the cost of a sustainable social
system be shared among citizens, government, andbusinesses.
Conflicts of interest among stakeholders are un-

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

avoidable when it comes to tax and fiscal policies.
However, public finances, taxes, and social security
systems are relevant to all citizens, whether rich orpoor, elderly or working-age.
With the participation of Japan’s leading researchers in tax and public finance, this program
will analyze tax and social security in an integrated
manner, examine the need for digital transformation,and make concrete and feasible policy proposals.
Furthermore, program members will disseminate
their insights and publish recommendations on an
ongoing basis to facilitate consideration by policymakers and present concrete and feasible options to
the public.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Economic Analysis of Personal Income Tax
ReformScience, Technology, Innovation

Naoki OkaRESEARCH FELLOW

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Takero Doi

RESEARCH DIRECTORThis research program will conduct two economic
analyses of personal income tax reform: (1) panel
analyses of the effects of personal income tax reform implemented in the 2010s, and (2) microsimulation analyses to explore the reforms required in
the 2020s. With respect to the first, we will analyze
the effects of personal income tax reform, based on
actual household incomes obtained from household
panel data in the 2010s. Regarding the second, we
will make specific policy recommendations on the
personal income tax reforms required in the 2020s,
supported by microsimulation analyses, using thesuggestions on changes in the deduction and tax
rate structure of the personal income tax system obtained from the panel analyses. In the microsimulation analyses, we can numerically analyze the pos-

12

sible impact on households when a hypothetical tax
reform is implemented using real household income
data. Based on these analyses, we will analyze theeffects of the tax reform and make policy recommendations based on what is included in the tax reform
package for each fiscal year to be approved by thecabinet at the end of the calendar year.

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Japan’s Response to an Accelerating Global
Energy Transition

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hikaru Hiranuma
SENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigator

In order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries around the world are transitioning
their energy policies toward renewable energy
sources. While many developed countries have set a
goal of raising the renewable energy ratio to about
40% to 70% in 2030, Japan’s energy transition islagging behind. Such a delay may not only result ina smaller international presence on climate change
issues but also weaken Japan’s competitiveness inenergy technologies. The purpose of this program is
to analyze Japan’s challenges and present propos-

als on how to deal with the energy transition accelerating around the world.

Kota Sugimoto

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Research Program Members (alphabetical order)
Takeo Kikkawa

co-leader (Vice President andGraduate School of International Management Professor,
International University ofJapan)

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Miho Kurosaki(Climate Change and ESG
Specialist, former Head ofJapan and Korea Research,
Bloomberg NEF)

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Hiroshi Segawa(Professor, Departmentof Multi-Disciplinary
Sciences, Graduate
School of Arts andSciences, Universityof Tokyo)

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Advancing Renewable Energy Initiatives
through Local Ownership

Yukari Takamura(Professor, Institute for
Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo)

Science, Technology, Innovation

Shin’ichi Tanabe(Professor, Department of Architecture, Waseda University)

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hikaru Hiranuma
SENIOR FELLOW

All renewable energy is essentially locally derived, so securing the understanding and cooperation of local entities is essential for its growth.
This program compares and analyzes the situation in Japan with leading examples in Europe andproposes necessary measures to promote renewable energy initiatives through local ownership.

13

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Development of Well-Being Indicators andPolicy Packages

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hiroaki Miyata

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Japan’s Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal
Management and Reform released in June 2021
clearly stated that “Key performance indicators(KPIs) related to well-being should be establishedfor various government basic plans, etc.” Whilethe concept of well-being has begun to permeate
the public policy agendas of central ministries andagencies, little progress has been made among
local governments. Therefore, this study attempts
to develop well-being indicators and public policy
packages that can be horizontally deployed by local governments to promote well-being policies.
(1) Development of well-being indicators
A number of issues must be resolved before lifetime
well-being can be used as an indicator for policy
formation, such as its validity as an indicator,

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Historical Analysis

underdeveloped systems, and cultural differences
across the country. Therefore, we will conduct aninternational joint study to estimate lifetime wellbeing by prefecture, utilizing data from a quarterly
survey in Japan.
(2) Development of policy packages
Promoting well-being policies requires a long-term
vision that can be implemented in stages, with priority areas being outlined for each year. This will allow
residents to reap tangible benefits from the policy
package. To this end, we will conduct well-being
surveys, analyses, and identification of priority areas in specific municipalities and work with local
governments to set KPIs and promote well-being
policies.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Yoshiki Ishikawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Anna Kubota

RESEARCH FELLOW

Manae Uchibori
Murakami

RESEARCH FELLOW

Hisateru Tachimori
SENIOR FELLOW

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Yuichi Hosoya

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

The Historical Analysis program conducts research into contemporary issues through empiricaland historical analyses and shares its insights withthe public through database construction, the publication of commentaries, and the hosting of webinars.
It studies and analyzes topics spanning multiple
fields of research through the lens of history, providing new perspectives on contemporary challenges.
The program will cover such topics such as the(1) Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment, Resources, Energy, (2) Health, Medical Services, Nursing
Care, (3) Education, Human Resources Development, Employment, Social Security, (4) Science,
Technology, Innovation, and (5) Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization. All ofthese topics are closely associated with the lives of

14

ordinary citizens in modern society. With reference
to cutting-edge scholarly research, we hope to shed
new light on these issues by analyzing the historicaltrajectory they have taken to the present day and examining them in the international context.
This will help to elucidate the peculiar historicalcircumstances in which the various challenges weface today unfolded, enabling us to view these topics from a more comprehensive and multidimensional standpoint.

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Improving Accessibility of Home-visit Nursing
Services

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Miwa Ishihara

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Japan is a super-aging society, and it is predictedthat 1.68 million people will die annually by 2040.
There is an urgent need to develop a system that allows people to receive care at home and die withpeace of mind. In addition, as hospital stays become
shorter, there is a growing need for home-visit nursing services after patients are discharged, but theavailability such services is not keeping up with demand. One major reason for this is that the current
system does not allow the public to directly selectand use specific home-visit nursing services. Under
Japan’s long-term care insurance, care managers
must first include the use of home-visit nursing services in the care plan (as a consequence of which,home-visit nurses are now compelled to persuade
physicians and care managers to utilize their ser-

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Carevices). The purpose of this research program is todevelop simple procedures for communication between hospital nurses and home-care nurses to enable a smooth transition to in-home care when patients are discharged. Recommendations will also bemade for policies to promote the utilization of sucha system.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digitalization of the Economy and International
Taxation

Sanae Matsunaga
SENIOR FELLOW

Chitose Watanabe
SENIOR FELLOW

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Naoki OkaRESEARCH FELLOW

Co-Investigator

In 2021, the OECD/G20 agreed on a novel andhistoric “solution” to the perennial tax conundrumsof today’s digitalized economy, where high-value
intangibles are gaining prominence. The solution
would introduce taxation of consolidated profits ofprofitable large MNEs (focusing on the global top100) and a 15% global minimum tax. An ambitious
timetable for implementation by 2023 has been
published.
This research project, whose members include tax
law scholars and policymakers who are familiar withthe practical aspects of taxation, aims to contributeto the countries’ response to the agreed solution by
specifically analyzing policy and technical issues required in incorporating the solution into treaties anddomestic tax laws.

We will also address general taxation issues inthe digital economy and respond to the interests ofcitizens and businesses by promoting discussion oninternational taxation in Japan.

Shigeki Morinobu
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

15

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Economic Policy Regime in the Post-COVID-19
Era

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hideo Hayakawa
SENIOR FELLOWOver the past century, there have been considerable swings in the thinking about the efficacy androles of economic policy. Since the 1980s, we haveseen the rise of neo-liberalism, which emphasizes
the efficiency of the market mechanism and thereby
calls for deregulation, tax reduction, and economic
globalization. In this policy regime, macroeconomic
stabilization was mostly taken care of by monetary
policy, and income inequality was expected to beresolved by the trickle-down mechanism.
However, in the past 20 years, disillusion has set
in regarding neo-liberalism. Despite the progress inderegulation, tax reduction, and globalization, we
have seen no significant acceleration in economic
growth among the advanced economies. Given the
2007–08 global financial crisis, the limits of the

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Caremarket mechanism and monetary policy have become evident. In addition, the COVID-19 crisis has
made clear the foremost importance of the role ofgovernment during such crises.
Given these experiences, the coming years will
see a search for new economic policies. This program will study the direction of the economic policy
regime in the post-COVID-19 era.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Quantitative Analysis of Epidemics andEconomic Implications

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Asako Chiba

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

More than a year has passed since COVID-19
began to spread in Japan in early 2020. From the
beginning of the outbreak, it has been pointed outthat it is important to base policy decision-making
on quantitative analysis, which was already a common practice in other countries. We constructed
an agent-based model from 2020 and have been
analyzing how the coronavirus may spread in Japan and how much control measures will suppress
the spread of infection. During the past year, as thedomestic infection situation and the corresponding
government responses have changed day by day,
we have offered analysis to meet the demands of thetimes and have contributed to more effective policymaking. On the other hand, given the requirementsfor prompt solutions, there is room for such analysis

16

to be more complete in terms of detail and applicability. To address these issues, we will carry out
a quantitative analysis of infectious disease control
from both medical and economic aspects.

Co-Investigator

Keiichiro Kobayashi
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Managing the Risk of RMB Internationalization
and Digitalization

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Long KeSENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigators

As the world’s second biggest economy, China isadvancing efforts to internationalize and digitalize
its currency, the renminbi (RMB). This will facilitate
international trade and investment but is also raisingsome concerns, such as the uncertain impact on theinternational currency system. This program will focus on currency system re-creation and recommend
how the risk of RMB internationalization and digitalization can be managed.

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Tomoyuki Fukumoto
RESEARCH FELLOWBo MengRESEARCH FELLOW

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Dissecting the Growth Problems of JapaneseStart-ups

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Shumpei Takemori
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigator

The Japanese government has been eager
to promote start-up tech companies to stimulate
growth. Yet, a major problem has been the small
number of start-ups that have succeeded in growing
into unicorns—companies valued at more than 1 billion US dollars. Some have blamed the immaturity ofJapanese private capital markets, while others havepointed at overregulation. Our preliminary study
focusses on the obstacles that clearly exist in Japan
in linking capital markets and investors, on the one
hand, and entrepreneurs and leading technologies,
on the other. There may be problems in the regulatory framework or the inexperience of investors in
discerning the potential for growth in an uncertain
technological environment. We will conduct an extensive hearing of investors, start-up managers, uni-

versities, and administrators to get a broad picture ofwhat is amiss. We also place importance in building
up a broader network of people from whom we canreconduct hearings in the future, each time plunging
into more specific questions.

Kensuke Kubo
SENIOR FELLOW

17

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Policy Evaluation of Cross-Regional Interconnection Lines in the Electricity Market

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Kota Sugimoto

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWThis program studies the interconnection lines in
the Japanese power system. Interconnection lines
are the high-voltage transmission lines that connect
areas under the jurisdiction of transmission and distribution companies. The electricity network has thetechnical feature that the amount of supply and demand must be constantly matched. Otherwise, thefrequency will change drastically, and there will bea risk of blackouts. In addition, future electricity networks will face new challenges of more severe natural disasters due to climate change and the massive
introduction of renewable energy essential for the realization of a decarbonized society. The use of interconnection lines contributes to a stable power systemrobust against natural disasters and accidents andrealizes a least-cost power supply. However, the in-Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Careter-regional transfer of energy through interconnections has been historically limited in Japan becauseincumbent vertically integrated electric power companies—former regional monopolies—were mostly
self-sufficient in meeting demand in their respective
regions before the Great East Japan Earthquake. In
this research program, I will evaluate how efficiently
Japan’s interconnection lines are being utilized byestimating the effect of implicit auctions implemented
after the earthquake.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

The Problem of Unclaimed Land:
Analysis of New Policies

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Shoko Yoshihara
RESEARCH FELLOW

Japan’s land system is at a turning point. A series of institutional reforms initiated in recent years,
such as a revised Civil Code that includes new rules
for the management of land whose owners are unknown and a new law that allows inherited land tobe turned over to the national treasury, will comeinto force in April 2023, and registration of inheritance will become mandatory in April 2024. Whilethese reforms will have a big impact on many peoples’ lives, they are still not well known by the public.
Analyses of the reasons for reform and future issues
in ensuring broad compliance are also limited. This
program takes a renewed look at the series of institutional reforms taken to date and identifies the issues
and necessary measures to ensure their full utilization at the local level in seeking solutions to land is-18

sues in the era of population decline.

CSR Research Project

Read Online

CSR Research Project
Background and Aims
Measures to address issues like environmental degradation, poverty, and human rights had long been considered
the purview of the government sector. But as the impact ofcorporate activities has expanded with the development of
the global economy, private companies have found they
could no longer ignore these issues. Public-sector initiatives
alone are increasingly unable to cope with the catastrophic scale of natural disasters and the growing complexity ofcommunity-related issues. Businesses are consequently being called upon to go beyond their role as profit-making entities and to fulfill their responsibilities corporate citizens. The
concept of corporate social responsibility has taken root inJapan in recent years, with a growing number of companies
introducing their CSR initiatives in their sustainability reports
and on their websites. All too often, though, they are little
more than lists of notable achievements, and little attention is
given to the high potential these activities have to help mitigate real-life problems. This was the impetus behind our decision in 2013 to launch a project to conduct CSR research,
led by a committee of practitioners and experts. The goal of
the project is to further promote CSR in Japan, thereby leveraging the resources of the corporate sector to accelerate theresolution of the many issues confronting society today.

Committee of Experts (alphabetical order)

Yoriko Kawaguchi
Yuichiro Anzai

Executive Director and CEO, Tokyo Foundation for
Policy Research

Toshio Arima

Chairman of the Board, Global Compact Network Japan

Distinguished Fellow, Tokyo Foundation for Policy
Research; Visiting Professor, Musashino University;
Former Minister of the Environment; Former Ministerfor Foreign Affairs; Former Special Advisor to thePrime Minister; Former Member of the House ofCouncillors

Hiroshi Komiyama (Chair)

Chairman of the Institute, Mitsubishi Research Institute,Inc.; President, Platinum Society Network; The 28th
President, the University of Tokyo

Katsuhito Iwai (Acting Chair)

Distinguished Fellow, Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research;Distinguished Professor, Kanagawa University; Professor
Emeritus, University of Tokyo; Fellow, Japan Academy

19

Published by the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research(based on information as of July 1, 2022)
Roppongi Grand Tower 34F
3-2-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6234, Japan
Tel. +81-3-5797-8401
https://www.tokyofoundation.org/
pr_support@tkfd.or.jp©2022 Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research
Unauthorized reproduction, duplication, or translation of thispublication is prohibited.
The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research is a public interest incorporated foundation established inaccordance with the collective will of The Nippon Foundation and Japan’s boat-racing industry with
grants provided from boat-racing profits.