English Only

Where business
and government meet

The International Policy Forum is a network for businesspeople, diplomats, and academics in Tokyo, holding regular breakfast and lunch meetings on matters of policy interest to businesses in Japan. All events host speakers from Japan's political and administrative elite, are run in both Japanese and English and on an invitation only basis. 

Past Events

IP Forum - Masahiko Shibayama

Breakfast with H.E. Mr. Masahiko Shibayama

Japan’s Foreign Policy under Prime Minister Abe

This month, the International Policy Forum welcomed Masahiko Shibayama, Chair of the House of Representatives Cabinet Affairs Committee, formerly Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to discuss Japan’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Abe. 

IP Forum - Yoshihiro Hayasaka (LDP)

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Impact and Opportunity

Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member, Yoshihiro Hayasaka (LDP)

This month’s International Policy Forum was with Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member and long-time campaigner to bring the Olympics to Tokyo, Yoshihiro Hayasaka. He provided us with insight into the future plans of the Tokyo Olympic Organization Committee as well as discussions about potential business opportunities leading up to the Olympics.

IP Forum - Diet Interior

House of Councillors Election Briefing 2013

Since 2007 efforts to reform Japan’s economy have been stymied by governments' inability to hold a majority in the House of Councillors. Both Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administrations struggled under this constraint, as the opposition used the upper house to thwart their agenda.

IP Forum - Junko Mihara

Breakfast meeting with Junko Mihara

The LDP's Health and Medical Policies

Few Diet members are as passionate and engaged in this area of policy as the former actress, artist, and business executive Junko Mihara. Since being elected to the Diet in 2010, Mihara has taken the lead in the formulation of health policies in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

IP Forum - Natsuo Yamaguchi

Breakfast with Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the New Komeito Party

The role of Komeito in the new coalition

Fresh from his diplomatic mission to China, we were delighted to host this month Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the New Komeito Party, who spoke to us about his party’s role in the new coalition government. 

Breakfast meeting with Naokazu Takemoto

Abenomics: the stimulus package, 2013 budget, monetary policy and regulatory reforms

So much has changed since the election last month and our last meeting of the International Policy Forum. But few are better placed than our guest speaker, Naokazu Takemoto, to comment on that change and the new policy initiatives of the Abe Cabinet.

IP Forum - Diet Building Nagatacho

Election Briefing 2012

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s sudden call for elections on 16 December has reopened the future direction of Japan’s politics. Just three years (and three prime ministers) after the historical shift of power to the DPJ on its promise of a break with the past, the public’s frustration with government and politics seems to be driving change once again. 

IP Forum - European Union symbol

Breakfast meeting with the Eurocrisis Task Force

Inside the eurozone crisis – insights and policy options

With new governments in Greece, Italy, and Spain and questions being asked about the very future of Europe’s monetary union, previously unfamiliar European topics, from Greek politics to the workings of German bond sales, have become need-to-know issues for financial players in Japan.

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