Bridges For International Communication

Japan SpotLight

Enhancing Japan’s Growth Potential with the Service Sector as the Driving Force

Articles
  • Highlight Publisher's Note
    Can Japan’s service industry guide the world?
    By Masakazu Toyoda
  • Highlight Exclusive Interview
    Chancellor, Showa Women’s University Mariko Bando Empowering Women Through University Education in Japan
    By Naoyuki Haraoka
  • Cover Lead
    Enhancing Japan’s Growth Potential with the Service Sector as the Driving Force
    By Naoyuki Haraoka
  • Highlight Roundtable
    Roundtable on “Aiming for a Service Industry that Leads Japan & the World” (Nov. 18, 2025)
    By Japan SPOTLIGHT
  • Cover Story 2
    Japanese Sogo-Shosha & Their New Frontiers
    By Shinichi Enomoto
  • Cover Story 3
    Interview with Jim Davidson, Managing Principal, Eldar Capital Global Fund Analyzes Japanese Firms – a Perspective from the Heartland of America
    By Japan SPOTLIGHT
  • Cover Story 4
    Interview with Shigeto Nagai, Head of Japan Economics, Oxford Economics Japan’s Economy to Transition from Temporary Stagnation to Path of Moderate Growth in 2026
    By Japan SPOTLIGHT
  • Cover Story 5
    What Is the Primary Cause of Inflation? – Signs of “Fiscal Inflation” Lurking in the Background
    By Kazumasa Oguro
  • Cover Story 6
    Japan’s Growth Strategy, with an Emphasis on Distribution
    By Naoyuki Haraoka
  • Special Article
    Balancing Act: 40 Years on from the Plaza Accord
    By Raf Manji
  • Special Interview 1
    Interview with Ryoichi Hiraki, Japan Representative, HAO PHAT KOP Revitalizing Japan’s Economy Through a Circular Flow of Foreign Talent & Industry with the Global South
    By Japan SPOTLIGHT
  • Special Interview 2
    Interview with Dr. Aw Wan Ping, Co-Founder, TokudAw Inc. Recommended Wellness Tours to Japan (Interviewed on Nov. 12, 2025)
    By Japan SPOTLIGHT
  • Special Interview 3
    Interview with Makiko Nishikawa, Director, Moi Creation, Co. Ltd. As Long as There Are Public Schools, There’ll Always Be an England
    By Japan SPOTLIGHT
  • Culture 1
    Cats & Japan
    By Mohan Gopal
  • Culture 2
    Concept Store Touhenboku: a New Model of Business
    By Mukesh Williams
  • Economic Indicators for Japan
    Considering the “100 Million Yen Wall”
    By Nobuo Iizuka
  • Contents
    Enhancing Japan’s Growth Potential with the Service Sector as the Driving Force
  • Back Cover
    Enhancing Japan’s Growth Potential with the Service Sector as the Driving Force

View All

Click here for the form×

Column

Exclusive Interview

interviewView All

Roundtable

roundtableView All

Publisher's Note

publishersnoteView All

3 Pillars

Japan Spotlight®

Japan SPOTLIGHT is our bimonthly E-Journal, published on the 10th of every odd month.

Japan SpotlightClick Here

International Forum

Holding international conferences to discuss issues shared with countries and regions closely related to Japan to find solutions for sustainable global economic development

International ForumClick Here

Asia-Pacific ForumAsia-Pacific Forum
Japan-US ForumJapan-US Forum
Japan-Europe ForumJapan-Europe Forum
CJK Cooperation DialogueCJK Cooperation Dialogue
Past EventsPast Events

Research

Organizing research groups of experts to explore solutions to policy issues and disseminate policy proposals

ResearchClick Here

What's New

  • Japan Spotlight

    Japan SPOTLIGHT January/February 2026 issue is published
    COVER STORY: Enhancing Japan's Growth Potential with the Service Sector as the Driving Force

    【Next Issue】
    Our next issue in March/April 2026 will focus on the theme the "Global Economy to Be Driven by the Global South - Opportunities and Challenges". In the perceived midst of declining US leadership, the Global South is becoming the most important player in the world. Japan's relations with the region could be one of the keys to the global economy's performance. The next issue will be published on our website on March 10, 2026.

  • International Forum

    Latest Events (completed)
    2025 CJK Cooperation dialogue
    2025 CJK Cooperation Dialogue was held on August 22,2025 in Tokyo.

  • International Forum

    Asia-Pacific Forum 2025
    Asia-Pacific Forum was hosted by Japan Economic Foundation (JEF) and Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) on 7th of November 2025.
    The public session can be viewed on the JEF Channel below.

  • International Forum

    Japan-US Forum 2025
    Japan-US Forum 2025 was co-hosted by Japan Economic Foundation (JEF) and Princeton University on 3rd October 2025.The public session can be viewed on the JEF Channel below.


  • What's NEW

    Japan-Europe Forum 2025
    Japan-Europe Forum was co-hosted by Japan Economic Foundation (JEF) and Institut Aspen France on 9th July 2025.

  • Japan Spotlight

    Japan SPOTLIGHT January/February 2026 issue is published
    COVER STORY: Enhancing Japan's Growth Potential with the Service Sector as the Driving Force

    【Next Issue】
    Our next issue in March/April 2026 will focus on the theme the "Global Economy to Be Driven by the Global South - Opportunities and Challenges". In the perceived midst of declining US leadership, the Global South is becoming the most important player in the world. Japan's relations with the region could be one of the keys to the global economy's performance. The next issue will be published on our website on March 10, 2026.

  • Japan Spotlight

    Japan SPOTLIGHT November/December 2025 issue is published
    COVER STORY: Medical Tourism in Asia: Healthy Asia with Enhanced Earning Capacity

    【Next Issue】
    Our next issue in January/February 2026 will focus on the theme "Enhancing Japanese Growth Potential with the Service Sector as Its Driving Force". It will assess the Japanese service sector's current developments and potential, as well as provide general observations on the Japanese economy, the challenges facing it, and possible solutions to overcome them. The next issue will be published on our website on Jan. 10, 2026.

  • Japan Spotlight

    Japan SPOTLIGHT September/October 2025 issue is published
    COVER STORY: METI's White Paper on International Economy & Trade 2025

    【Next Issue】
    Our next issue in November/December 2025 will focus on the theme "Medical Tourism in Asia - a Healthy Asia to Be Built on a Rationalized Medical Service". Health is a basic concern for all people. Nations in Asia could achieve further business success based on open medical tourism, which could offer good opportunities to provide high-quality medical services. The next issue will be published on our website on Nov. 10, 2025.

  • Japan Spotlight

    Japan SPOTLIGHT July/August 2025 issue is published
    COVER STORY: The Role of a Rules-Based Trading System for Strengthened Supply Chain Resilience

    【Next Issue】
    Our next issue in September/October 2025 will feature "METI's White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2025" as usual. It analyzes the world economy under the changes initiated by the administration of US President Donald Trump and showcases Japan's new trade policy strategy to cope with them. The next issue will be published on our website on Sept. 10, 2025.

  • Japan Spotlight

    Japan SPOTLIGHT March/April 2025 issue is published
    COVER STORY: The Service Sector is the Key to Revitalizing the Japanese Economy

    【Next Issue】
    We will be highlighting the theme of "Aging in Asia" in the May/June 2025 issue. The "Amazing Asia" of economic growth is at the same time a "Graying Asia". What are the consequences of this and how can we turn challenges into opportunities? A variety of experts discuss this hot issue. Our next issue will be published on our website on May 10, 2025.

  • Research

    International Trading System
    On January 31, 2025, we Japan Economic Foundation (JEF) have published on our website in English "Recommendations for Restoration of a Rules-Based International Trading System" by the Research Group on the International Trading System led by the Japan Economic Foundation (JEF), from the distinguished trade policy experts worldwide.

Read More