OUR RESEARCH PROGRAMS

July 2024

OUR RESEARCH PROGRAMSOur Research Domains.....................

4

Principal Investigator: Nobuo Iizuka .....................

5

Research Programs

Training Program to Implement EBPM for Local Government Personnel

Comprehensive Empirical Analysis of Children’s Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Skills

Future Vision for Sustainable Water Management

Contingency Plans for a Potential Financial Crisis

Pre- and Post-COVID Chinese Society, Economy, and Politics

Principal Investigator: Kengo Igei .....................

5

Principal Investigator: Taikan Oki .....................

6

Principal Investigator: Sota Kato .....................

6

Principal Investigator: Long Ke .....................

7

Human Resource Development to Tackle Issues in the Fields of Health, Medical Care,and Nursing through Private Sector Initiatives

Principal Investigator: Kenji Shibuya .....................

Capacity Development of ‘Connecting Personnel’ for Science and Technology Innovation Policy

Economic Analyses of Pandemics

Human Resource Development for Data-Driven Healthcare Policy

Principal Investigator: Hideaki Shiroyama .....................

8

Principal Investigator: Asako Chiba .....................

8

Principal Investigator: Yasuharu Tokuda .....................

9

Economic Analysis of the Relationship between Education, Social Security, and Taxation

Principal Investigator: Takero Doi .....................

Economic Policy Regime after Global Inflation

Measures Necessary to Build a Circular Economy Society

2

7

9

Principal Investigator: Hideo Hayakawa ..................... 10

Principal Investigator: Hikaru Hiranuma ..................... 10

Japan’s Response to an Accelerating Global Energy Transition—A Follow-Up

Principal Investigator: Hikaru Hiranuma ..................... 11

The Blue Economy: International Trends and the Situation in Japan—A Follow-Up

Principal Investigator: Hikaru Hiranuma ..................... 11

Talent Development for Local Healthcare DX

Teachers in the AI Era

Developing a Well-Being-Informed Education Package

Principal Investigator: Takanori Fujita ..................... 12

Principal Investigator: Mina Matsumoto ..................... 12

Principal Investigator: Hiroaki Miyata ..................... 13

Assessing the Integrated Reform of Tax and Social Security Systems in Japan 2

Principal Investigator: Shigeki Morinobu ..................... 13

Creation of Generative AI Learning Environment for Teachers

Principal Investigator: Lui Yoshida ..................... 14

Verification of New Land Legislation and Collaboration for its Dissemination

Principal Investigator: Shoko Yoshihara ..................... 14

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

15

3

Our Research Domains
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 fuller role in society, have a bigger say in government decisions, and actively participate in the preservation of peace.
Achieving these goals at a time of sweeping change requires an innovative think tank to research and implement new ideas
unfettered by the conventions and practices of the postwar years. In October 2021, the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Researchtransitioned to a restructured system of policy research to analyze issues and identify solutions in innovative, 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 historical precedents 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=2898) introduces the approximately 20 research programs currently underway (as of July 2024) at the 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 aspects of 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 the months 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

Training Program to Implement EBPM for Local
Government Personnel

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Nobuo Iizuka

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

As local governments lack human resources toimplement Evidence Based Policy Making (EBPM)
using data as evidence, the development of personnel familiar with EBPM is an urgent issue for more
effective regional economic policies.
In this research program, we establish and implement a training program to acquire basic skills in theuse of data required in policy making from the perspective of EBPM in cooperation with specific local
governments as a pioneering model project, focusing on the four pillars explained below.
In addition, by reviewing the results of the training, we aim to develop a more general model fordata education that can be applied to other local
governments.
(1) EBPM Training Project
In cooperation with local governments, we de-velop a training program for local government officials to acquire basic skills in using data in line with
their policymaking.
(2) Regional Data Project
We provide guidance to local governments on
how to use existing data as well as how to develop
new data that measures regional economic conditions for policymaking purposes.
(3) EBPM Research Project
We work with local government officials to conduct a policy advocacy project in line with the EBPM
approach by participating in a government-sponsored policy proposal competition.
(4) Survey of local governments for effective implementation of EBPM

Hideaki Hirata
SENIOR FELLOW

Yasuyuki Komaki
SENIOR FELLOW

Yoshihiro Otsuka
SENIOR FELLOW

Satoshi Urasawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Nariyasu Yamasawa
SENIOR FELLOW(alphabetical order)

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Comprehensive Empirical Analysis of Children’s
Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Skills

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Kengo Igei

SENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigator

Public interest in children’s cognitive andnon-cognitive skills has been high in recent years,
and it is of great policy importance to elucidate thefactors that influence these skills. Local governments
and private companies have begun to collect dataon cognitive and non-cognitive skills in a sophisticated and long-term manner, but there is considerable
room for the use of these data in ways that will leadto policy recommendations from the perspective ofscholars in economics of education and empiricalanalysis. This research project attempts to work withsuch local governments and private companies tocomprehensively examine the factors of cognitive
skills as represented by academic achievement, as
well as non-cognitive skills other than academic
achievement. The findings and policy implications of

this program will be proposed directly to the collaborating local governments and private companies,
and information will be disseminated through a webinar on research findings and discussion papers,
as well as through outreach to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in the field of education
utilizing a network of program members.

Makiko Nakamuro

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

5

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

The stable supply of safe water in Japan has historically relied on a comprehensive system known
as Water Minfra (Infrastructure of all, by all, and forall), encompassing water supply and sewage systems, agricultural water facilities, flood control structures, natural and artificial ecosystems, as well as theinvolvement of various stakeholders. However, sustainable maintenance and management is becoming increasingly difficult due to population decline,
land use change, lack of financial and personnel
resources, and more frequent disasters.
Both urban and rural areas require urgent reconstruction of region-specific Water Minfra, ensuring
sustainable upkeep and readiness for sudden emergencies. Outstanding specialists in Water Minfra who know
the intricacies of the system are essential to this effort.

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Insufficient risk management at the local level
leads to roughly 20,000 water supply accidents annually, exacerbating crises during disasters like theNoto Peninsula Earthquake. Consequently, there isa growing demand for leaders capable of guiding
not just local governments but also communities in
effective water management.
Across Japan, numerous instances exist wheresuch adept leaders spearhead community-driven
initiatives, be it maintaining water supply networks
or implementing eco-friendly infrastructure projects.
In this research, we aim to articulate how such Water Minfra talent is nurtured, how organizations are
structured around them, and how expertise is disseminated, offering strategies for systematically fostering
exceptional talent in Water Minfra management.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Contingency Plans for a Potential Financial Crisis

Junji Hashimoto

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Shinichiro Nakamura
SENIOR FELLOW

Michiru Sasagawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Sota KatoRESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

This research program will develop contingency
plans for a possible financial crisis in Japan. By preparing the plans beforehand, it aims to minimize thedamage to the national economy that such a crisis
may cause.
The contingency plans address two crisis levels:(1) the precursory stage and (2) the initial stage.
Each stage is defined by the level of long-term interest rates. Our proposals will include emergency
fiscal measures, market-taming measures, and emergency expenditure reductions for each stage.
We will mainly use quantitative simulations andinstitutional analyses to develop our plans. One focus will be the Bank of Japan, which now possesses more than 50% of Japanese government bonds.
We will simulate the BOJ’s financial standing under6

different economic conditions and investigate how it
can maintain the market’s confidence during a crisis.

Nobuyasu Atago
SENIOR FELLOW

Yohei Kobayashi
SENIOR FELLOW

Kazumasa Oguro

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Saori Tsuiki

SENIOR FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Pre- and Post-COVID Chinese Society, Economy,
and Politics

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Long KeSENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigators

Even as the Chinese leadership struggled to copewith COVID-19 over the past three years, Xi Jinping
managed to gain an unprecedented third term aspresident. This research program will analyze how
post-COVID Chinese society, economy, and politics
has changed from pre-pandemic years, focusing onwhether the Xi administration can sustain China’s development as the world’s second-largest economy.
Chinese society faces such issues as rising joblessness and income disparity, and the Chinese Communist Party needs to show people that its agenda
can lead the country to a brighter tomorrow. The
program will also offer recommendations on how
the Japanese government and private companies
can build a new relationship with China.

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Naoko Eto

RESEARCH FELLOW

Tomoyuki Fukumoto
RESEARCH FELLOW

Jie Liu

RESEARCH FELLOWBo MengRESEARCH FELLOW

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Human Resource Development to Tackle Issues
in the Fields of Health, Medical Care, and Nursing
through Private Sector Initiatives

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Kenji Shibuya

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Based on insights drawn from the research program ”Developing Sustainable and Resilient Health,Nursing, and Long-Term Care Systems in the PostCOVID Era”, which was conducted from 2021 to2023, this research program aims to develop humanresources to lead new health, medical, and caregiving business models through private sector initiatives.
It addresses the limits of public health systems
by fostering innovative business models and ideas.
The research connects experts and practitioners todevelop individuals who possess sector-specificknowledge and can approach problems from a
global and holistic perspective. Training programs
are designed to enhance their ability to work withstakeholders, use media for social contribution, andimplement effective practices.

The initiative emphasizes community-based
strategies, partnering with local governments, businesses, and civic groups to inspire private sector
innovation through new technologies and businessmodels that are informed by regional success stories
and innovative efforts. This approach aims to breakaway from conventional frameworks, creating opportunities for fresh ideas. The Tokyo Foundation for
Policy Research is expected to play a key role in thisecosystem, acting as a hub for developing innovative leaders in healthcare and caregiving.

Takanori Fujita
SENIOR FELLOW

Mototaka Inaba
SENIOR FELLOW

Naota Kumagai
SENIOR FELLOW

Sanae Sakurai
SENIOR FELLOW

Yasuharu Tokuda

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

Capacity Development of ‘Connecting Personnel’for Science and Technology Innovation Policy

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hideaki Shiroyama
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

Modern science and technology policy requires
close linkages with the realization of desirable social change in various fields. Such linkages require
coordinating mechanisms between science andtechnology policy and sectoral policies aimed at implementing solutions to social problems, policy linkages between science and technology policy andsecurity policy, and autonomous responses to ELSI
(ethical legal and social issues) by the private sector. It is not enough to have only institutional mechanisms to enable such coordination, collaboration,
and autonomous responses; it is also important tosecure personnels and develop their capacity totake charge of these mechanisms. Specifically, human resources are needed to “connect,” i.e. to “connect” science and technology policy with sectoral

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Carepolicy, science and technology policy with security policy, and research and development with ELSI
responses. This program defines capacity for the‘connecting personnel’ required by organizations,such as central governments (e.g. Cabinet Office),
local governments, enterprises and research institutions, as well as the elements of capacity-building
programs (training, personnel exchange and career
paths) through case studies in Japan and abroad,and makes policy recommendations.

Atsuo Kishimoto

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Akio Kurokawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Makiko Matsuo
SENIOR FELLOW

Kazuto Suzuki

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Economic Analyses of Pandemics

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Asako Chiba

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Pandemics have long been dealt with as a medical issue. Pandemic-related literature in economics
is still relatively scarce, although there was an uptick
in studies following the outbreak of COVID-19. To
contribute to the evaluation of the costs and benefits of pandemic policies, this research program
will analyze the social and economic impact of thepandemic using two approaches: (1) a simulationof infection trends and economic activity and (2)empirical research using macro- and microdata.
In (1), we extend the agent-based model used inprevious research into an economic-model by introducing agents’ adaptive behavior and economic
parameters. This extension allows measurement ofboth sector-level and micro-level impact. In (2), wequantitatively analyze data from both publicly avail-8

able sources and those gained by conducting online
surveys to show the impact of policy interventions
during COVID-19. In the earlier research program,
we suggested there would be a substantial decreasein marriages and a decline in the labor supply due
to both the illness and quarantine measures. We willcontinue to deal with these topics but also undertake
statistical analyses to rigorously identify the effects ofthe pandemic. In both approaches, we will publish
the results as a report accessible to the general public and as an academic paper.

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

Human Resource Development for Data-Driven
Healthcare Policy

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Yasuharu Tokuda
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

This research will analyze large-scale healthcare, nursing, and long-term care data and, as athink tank independent of the government, focus
on various issues in healthcare, nursing, and longterm care that the government is hesitant to propose
despite pressing national concerns. Policy recommendations will be made based on data analysis
on the following three themes. We will empiricallyclarify the actual conditions of the following medical
services, make specific policy recommendations onthese issues, and train human resources.

(3) Reform of healthcare human resource development

Atsushi Mizuno
SENIOR FELLOWExpected specific outcomes in the fields ofhealthcare and society are patient-centered careand enhancement of community healthcare services
in the healthcare field, and appropriate utilizationof healthcare resources and securing sustainablefinancial resources, effective healthcare cost management, and improvement of patient quality of life
in society.

Mitsuru Mukaigawara
RESEARCH FELLOW

Kei Nakashima
SENIOR FELLOW

Kenji Shibuya(1) Reform of healthcare delivery system

RESEARCH DIRECTOR(2) Reform of diverse financial resources

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Economic Analysis of the Relationship between
Education, Social Security, and Taxation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Takero Doi

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

The Japanese government has announced the expansion of the child-care allowance in its ‘Children’s
Future Strategy’ and has decided to promote the ‘integrated three-pronged labor market reforms,’ including re-skilling, in its ‘Grand Design and Action Plan
for a New Form of Capitalism 2023 Revised Version.’
This research program will investigate the interactions
between learning, education, social security, and taxation in Japan with the following two objectives.
(1) This research program will analyze the effects
of removing income limits on the child-care allowanceand income tax reform on the disposable income ofhouseholds raising children. Additionally, it will examine the effects of these changes on the parenting timeof married couples and the education of children, including educational opportunities, non-cognitive ability and others, in subsequent years. This analysis will

use panel data from the Japan Household Panel Survey (JHPS) and other sources. Based on the results, wewill derive policy implications for the planned expansion of child-care allowances for children’s education
and recommend necessary measures.
(2) The JHPS is surveying employees on self-development and re-skilling. This research program willconduct the following analysis to contribute to policy
recommendations necessary for the government tosupport capacity building through re-skilling, basedon the survey: How much do income and living conditions affect the implementation of self-development
and re-skilling, taking into account the influence ofsocial security and tax systems on disposable income;does the annual income requirement for social security affect reskilling; and to what extent does reskilling
reduce income inequality in the economy.
9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 after Global Inflation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hideo Hayakawa
SENIOR FELLOWFor nearly 30 years since the 1980s, neoliberalism was the dominant economic policy regime
among major industrial countries. It lost its persuasiveness during the course of 2010s, however, following the global financial crisis of 2007–08, widening of income inequality, and increased focus on
climate change. We have since seen a search for
new policy regimes. Just prior to the pandemic, a
gradual consensus seemed to emerge on (1) placing
more emphasis on the use of fiscal policy rather thanmonetary policy for macroeconomic stabilization,(2) advancing global cooperation for decarbonization, and (3) achieving international harmonizationof corporate tax rates, including digital taxation.
The pandemic caused inflation rates to surge almost everywhere, however, including even in Japan,

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

which had been beset by deflation for many decades. Under the circumstances, there is little wonderthat major countries are now fighting inflation with
monetary policy. A few years from now, though,when global inflation has eased, the world will likely
resume its search for a new economic policy regime.
This program will analyze how such a search may
unfold.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Measures Necessary to Build a Circular Economy
Society

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hikaru Hiranuma
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

It is necessary to build a resource- and energy-recycling society that decarbonizes not only energy transitions but also the entire supply chain toachieve carbon neutrality and build a sustainable
society.
This research program will present measures thatJapan needs to take to achieve carbon neutrality
and improve its international competitiveness in order to build a resource- and energy-recycling society.

10Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Japan’s Response to an Accelerating Global Energy
Transition—A Follow-Up

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hikaru Hiranuma
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Japan’s Response to an Accelerating Global Energy Transition was a three-year research program(April 2020 to March 2023) that identified the measures Japan needs to take toward carbon neutrality.
A follow-up program is being implemented to further
disseminate its findings and promote Japan’s efforts
to achieve carbon neutrality.

For details about Japan’s Response to an Accelerating Energy Transition research program, visit
https://www.tokyofoundation.org/programs/detail.php?u_id=19

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

The Blue Economy: International Trends and theSituation in Japan—A Follow-Up

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hikaru Hiranuma
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

The Blue Economy: International Trends and theSituation in Japan was a three-year research program (April 2019 to March 2022) that focused on
the measures necessary to build a blue economy inJapan. A follow-up program is being implemented
to further disseminate its findings and promote Japan’s efforts to grow its blue economy.

For details about the Blue Economy: International Trends and the Situation in Japan research program, visit
https://www.tokyofoundation.org/programs/detail.php?u_id=18

11

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Talent Development for Local Healthcare DX

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Takanori Fujita
SENIOR FELLOW

Co-Investigators

As the global push for healthcare digital transformation (DX) accelerates, the need for a sustainable
healthcare system in Japan is becoming more evident. This need is heightened by Japan’s aging population and the looming threat of future pandemics
and disasters. Drawing lessons from past failures,
this research aims to establish a resilient healthcare
system capable of addressing these challenges.
Central to our approach is the development of adecentralized data model with exit regulations, enabling the effective use of data and the integrationof emerging technologies such as generative AI andthe metaverse.
This policy study focuses on:
Governance for transitioning to a decentralized
data system and implementing exit regulations

Local utilization of collected data
Regional implementation of emerging technologies,
incorporating perspectives on talent development
Collaborating with pioneering local governments(such as Tsukuba City, Chino City, Kibi Chuo Town,
Kanagawa Prefecture) and industry-academia-government consortia, the study seeks to conduct policy
research that includes talent development for healthcare DX. By fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary experts and citizens, the project aims
to cultivate the workforce necessary to implement
healthcare DX across both urban and rural areas.
The study will use a hands-on approach to generate
policy recommendations and disseminate information nationally and internationally, paving the way
for a universally adaptable healthcare DX initiative.

Anna Kubota

RESEARCH FELLOW

Jota Maki

SENIOR FELLOW

Daisuke SatoSENIOR FELLOW

Masei Suda

SENIOR FELLOW

Ryo Watanabe
SENIOR FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Teachers in the AI Era

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Mina Matsumoto
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigator

Improvement of the quality of the compulsory education is essential to opening up the future of children of our country. To achieve this, above all, it isnecessary to rebuild the system design of the teaching profession to ensure the quality of teachers. To
this end, we will (1) Look back on the system designof teacher training, recruitment, training, and treatment from a historical and policy standpoint and develop a system that will allow higher education as awhole, including teacher graduate schools, to adapt
to rapid social and technological changes, as well
as recommend revision measures; and (2) With thecooperation of the Tokyo Board of Education, createa guidebook on mathematics that will help current
teachers stand on the podium with confidence, share
the process with other educators across the country,
and communicate to the committee. We will proceed
12

with the research program with emphasis on thesetwo points.
The issue here is the use of AI. It is necessary tounderstand how the government’s policy of “AI in
education” is having an impact on teachers.

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

Developing a Well-Being-Informed Education
Package

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Hiroaki Miyata

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigators

The concept of well-being, emphasized in theJune 2021 policy announcement and increasingly
integrated into domestic policies, is now also being
envisioned as a central theme in education. Given thegrowing attention on generative AI technology with
its applications in education as well as the emerging
connections between arts activities and well-being
in the education, this study will work on: 1. Developing an education package that fosters well-being,
and 2. Exploring well-being-informed education
packages for all generations. This program seeks to
use generative AI as an educational tool to develop
efficient personalized teaching methods, encourage dialogue with generative AI to form individual
thoughts based on diverse perspectives, and utilize
the art-based technique of “interactive appreciation”
to foster the ability to ask questions independently.
These innovative approaches will be tested in specificregions to evaluate their effectiveness in developing
desired skills, and well-being as well.

Yoshiki Ishikawa
SENIOR FELLOW

Yoshiaki Kanamori
RESEARCH FELLOW

Anna Kubota

RESEARCH FELLOW

Manae Uchibori
Murakami

RESEARCH FELLOW

Keiko Sakurai

RESEARCH FELLOW

Hisateru Tachimori
SENIOR FELLOW

Sho Takano

SENIOR FELLOW

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Assessing the Integrated Reform of Tax and Social
Security Systems in Japan 2

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Shigeki Morinobu
RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Co-Investigator

The Kishida administration declared in June 2023
its readiness to take “extraordinary measures” overthe next several years to stem the declining birthrate
in response to the shocking report that births in Japan
fell below 800,000 for the first time in 2022. The decline in the birthrate, coupled with population aging,raises serious doubts about the sustainability of thesocial security system, fuels public anxiety about the
future, and will have a negative impact on economic
growth.
This research program will examine the impact
Kishida’s announcement is likely to have as concretemeasures are proposed and implemented.

The biggest challenge the initiative faces is the issue of financial resources. Thought is being given toadjusting expenditures and raising social insurance
payments, particularly for health insurance, but astable, permanent revenue source is needed. To thisend, it is necessary to find the best mix, which may
require reforms to the consumption tax, income tax,
asset tax, and other taxes. To gain the public’s understanding, there is also a need to present a clear
picture of the benefits and burdens. The research
program will invite experts to explore how such abest mix of benefits and burdens can be achieved.

Naoki OkaSENIOR FELLOW

13

Research Programs

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Care

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Creation of Generative AI Learning Environment
for Teachers

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Lui Yoshida
SENIOR FELLOWAs generative AI becomes more integral to ourlives, it is crucial that everyone, including teachers,
not only understand but also know how to use thesetechnologies responsibly and effectively. However,teachers, who play a key role in guiding students,
are facing increasing pressures without sufficient
support to adapt to these new technologies. This
study aims to create a supportive learning environment specifically for teachers, helping them stay
updated with the latest AI advancements and sharepractical knowledge with ease. By conducting surveys to identify the current use of AI in educationand the needs of teachers, this study will develop
online programs and platforms for teachers to learn
and exchange information about AI. The goal is toease the burden on teachers by providing them with

Economy, Fiscal Policy, Environment,
Resources, Energy

Health, Medical Services, Nursing Carethe resources to understand and use AI effectively intheir teaching without adding to their workload. Ultimately, this study hopes to improve how AI is used in
education and provide policy recommendations forbetter supporting teachers, ensuring that they havethe training and community support needed in a rapidly evolving digital age.

Education, Human Resources Development,
Employment, Social Security

Science, Technology, Innovation

Verification of New Land Legislation and Collaboration for its Dissemination

Digital Revolution,
Social Transformation through Digitalization

Principal Investigator
Read Online

Shoko Yoshihara
RESEARCH FELLOW

Against the backdrop of a declining and aging
population, the increase in unkempt vacant land andland with unknown owners has become a social issue. In recent years, the Government has undertaken
a fundamental review of related systems and implemented a wide range of systems, including mandatory inheritance registration. However, in local
communities that are trying to use the systems, newchallenges are emerging, such as the high cost ofresolving land whose ownership has once become
unknown, and how to secure personnel to take on
the actual work given the limited personnel and financial resources of municipalities and the aging of
local communities. Therefore, this study aims to verify
the operational status of the new systems so that they
can function effectively in the region, and to conduct

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a model project for practical initiatives in cooperation with local authorities and other relevant parties.

CSR Research Project

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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)

Toshio Arima

Chairman of the Board, Global Compact Network Japan

Katsuhito Iwai (Acting Chair)

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

Hiroshi Komiyama (Chair)

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

Mieko Nakabayashi

Executive Director (Policy Research), Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research

Yoriko Kawaguchi

Distinguished Fellow, Tokyo Foundation for Policy
Research; Emerita Fellow, Musashino Institute for
Global Affairs, Musashino University; Former Ministerof the Environment; Former Minister for Foreign
Affairs; Former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister;Former Member of the House of Councillors

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