[Notice] Asia Financial Forum to be Held on May 9

Whenever the Japanese economy is mentioned, it is always accompanied by the phrase "the lost 30 years." The prolonged recession that began with the bursting of Japan's economic bubble in the 1990s has often been cited as a cautionary example for sustainable growth. As the recession dragged on, economic growth rates plummeted disastrously, and the Japanese government endured by keeping interest rates and wage growth close to zero or even negative.

However, perspectives on Japan began to change. With the revitalization of the Japanese economy and capital markets under the persistent "Abenomics," Japan started to emerge from the quagmire of long-term recession. The possibility of escaping the deflation that had suppressed the Japanese economy reduced fears surrounding the real economy.

The most noticeable economic indicator was the Japanese stock market. The Nikkei 225, Japan's representative index, continued its upward trend even during the global COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a record high of 41,087 points in March this year. This surpassed the highest level recorded before the bubble burst, breaking a 34-year record.

Moreover, in March, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) ended its negative interest rate policy for the first time in about eight years since 2016, a move widely regarded as a risky gamble. This marked the preparation to return to a normal monetary policy trajectory. The world is paying close attention to Japan's struggle to escape chronic low inflation and low wages.

Asia Economy is also focusing on this trend in the Japanese economy and will hold the 13th Asia Financial Forum on May 9 under the theme "The Secret to the Revival of the Japanese Stock Market, Awakening Japanese Economy." Domestic and international experts will introduce the multifaceted background behind the full-scale recovery of the Japanese economy and stock market, and propose macro and micro alternatives that the Korean government and economic actors should benchmark.

In Session 1, Masai Takako, former BOJ Monetary Policy Board member and CEO of SBI Economic Research Institute, will deliver a keynote speech on the current status and outlook of the awakening Japanese economy. Following this, Hirotoshi Ito, Director of the International Economy Department at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Professor Sangjun Park from Waseda University will provide an overview and macro-level analysis of Japan's real economy, including trade, investment, and supply chains.

In the keynote speech of Session 2, Ryushiro Kodaira, a specialist journalist from the Nikkei Newspaper, will introduce the institutional background and efforts of capital market participants behind the revival of the Japanese stock market, which has surpassed its all-time high. Following this, Frank Benzimra, Head of Asia Equity Strategy at Soci?t? G?n?rale, will evaluate the "Corporate Value-Up Program," considered one of the main factors driving the rise in Japanese stock prices.

Next, Jonghyun Park, Director at Nomura Research Institute and former member of the Mori Building real estate development company, will give a special lecture on "Response Strategies for the Real Estate Market in the Era of Low Growth," based on his analysis of the Japanese real estate market. In the following part of Session 2, Hyungkyun Kim, Managing Director at Cha Partners, will sharply analyze how the Japan Pension Service operates as an institutional investor from an expert's perspective.

Finally, Hyoseop Lee, Senior Researcher at the Korea Capital Market Institute, will evaluate the progress and achievements of the Korean government's ambitious "Corporate Value-Up Program," which has been actively promoted since this year. In the subsequent discussion, Namwoo Lee, Chairman of the Korea Corporate Governance Forum, will serve as the moderator and engage in a deeper diagnosis of the Corporate Value-Up Program with Researcher Lee.

Date and Time: May 9 (Thursday) 08:20~15:10

Venue: Grand Ballroom (1F), Westin Chosun Hotel, Sogong-dong, Seoul

Event Introduction and Registration Website https://e.asiae.co.kr/2024aff/

Contact: (02)742-1915

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.