Research leader:
Hisakazu MATSUSHIGE, Professor, Faculty of Economics, Takamatsu University, and Emeritus Professor, Osaka University

Research outline:
We may not avoid social transformation enforced by the recent innovations such as AI and new digital technologies and further accelerated by the sudden emerge of COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss how firms can adapt to this new era of radical change in occupations and tasks and investigate how individuals are to reshape their skill and redesign their career paths, accordingly.

Research leader:

Yoshihisa INADA, Director of Research & Director of Center for Quantitative Economic Analysis, Asia Pacific Institute of Research (APIR)

Research outline:

We analyze the reasons why the 1970 Japan World Expo failed to induce economic growth in the Kansai region. Based on the results of our analysis, we develop a strategy aimed at reversing the prolonged stagnation of the region by taking advantage of the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai. Specifically, we hold discussions with the economic community and the government in order to devise new tactics for attracting investments and human resources to potential growth industries in the Kansai region.

Research leader:

Yukinori, FUJIHARA, Professor, Osaka University of Economics and Law

Research outline:

A revision of the quarterly disclosure system, aimed at encouraging short-term profit orientation, is an important part of Japan’s “New Capitalism” policy. The Financial System Council announced its intention to unify the quarterly disclosure system with the financial statements, and is planning to compile concrete items to be revised within this year. Such a revision necessitates thorough discussions based on sufficient empirical evidence, as well as weighing the pros and cons of abolishing mandatory disclosure. We conduct an empirical analysis using data on Japanese listed companies, and we provide evidence on the impact of the revision of the quarterly disclosure system.

Research leader:

Yoshihisa INADA, Director of Research & Director of Center for Quantitative Economic Analysis, Asia Pacific Institute of Research (APIR)

Research outline:

Facing the evaporation of demand caused by COVID-19, tourism strategies have been forced to make a major shift from an emphasis on inbound tourism to high value-added tourism for both domestic and inbound visitors. In view of this shift, we analyze the current situation of municipalities and DMOs in the Kansai region, and examine issues and directions for solutions. We will also work to quantify the brand power of tourist destinations and create indicators that show the contribution of various environmental factors to the attractiveness of tourist destinations

Research leader:

Shinji SHIMOJO, Professor & Director of the Cybermedia Center, Osaka University

Research outline:

Building long-term relationship with customers is required as part of solutions to issues using digital transformation (DX), along with increased social roles of firms including SDGs. The relationship between a city and its residents is a similar issue. In view of this similarity, we analyze the characteristics of the “subscription” business model, which uses data to build long-term relationships with customers, and we discuss how this model can be applied in designing an attractive smart city.