Lunch Seminar on the Japanese Economy and Society MAISON FRANCO-JAPONAISE
  • The Lunch Seminar on the Japanese Economy and Society takes place at the Maison-Franco Japonaise (Nichi-Futsu Kaikan) - Room 601 (6F) from 12:30 to 14:00. It is a re-newed form of the previous “LS on Japanese Economy” generously supported since the beginning by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.
  • Please note that this is a "brown bag lunch seminar" (please bring your sandwiches or "bento"), and that the discussion will be "on the record". There is no participation fee but the number of seats is limited.
  • If you wish to participate in the lunch seminar please apply by e-mail to: contact(a)mfj.gr.jp [(a) pour @].
  • Please fill-in the following application form and return it via e-mail at your earliest convenience. Applications will be proceeded rapidly and you will receive an electronic invitation.
    • Name:
    • Company or institution:
    • Position:
    • Address:
    • Phone:
    • E-mail:

  • Each Lunch Seminar is dedicated to a specific issue of the time and aims at bringing a better understanding of Japanese Economy and Society. A speaker and a discussant or two debaters make their statement on the topic and then questions come from the floor for an open discussion. We try as often as possible to get together one Japanese speaker and one non-Japanese speaker to offer a comparative approach to the issue. Presentation and discussion are in English (no translation).
    In order to help preparation and a deeper discussion, presenters will give a few lines about their basic message or main statement on the issue and sometimes they may give by advance a copy of a working paper they wrote, and or a link where to get it, and reference of a recently published piece; available information including a short biography of the presenters is posted on the MFJ website.
  • Since the beginning in January 2004, a short report of each seminar has been written in French by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan and posted on their website (La Lettre Mensuelle). Go there and then type in the search engine’s box, the name of a speaker, to get the piece.
  • The seminar was launched by Jean Pascal Bassino and then Sébastien Lechevalier became the main organizer until June 2008.
>> MFJ Home Page in French

Last modified: 2012-05-02

Current Seminars on the Japanese Economy and Society

June 28, 2012 (Thursday) / Jeudi 28 juin 2012 / 12:30 - 14:00

Japanese FDI in France:
2011 results and perspectives for 2012
  • Speaker :
    • Christophe GRIGNON (IFA)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (MFJ)

May 31, 2012 (Thursday) / Jeudi 31 mai 2012 / 12:30 - 14:00

Can Japan Really Change in Response to 3.11?
  • Speaker :
    • Andrew SUTTER (Rikkyō University)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (MFJ)

April 24, 2012 (Tuesday) / Mardi 24 avril 2012 / 12:30 - 14:00

Does Japan Remain Attractive for Skilled and Less-Skilled Migrant Workers?
  • Speaker :
    • Hélène LE BAIL (MFJ)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (MFJ)

February 17, 2012 (Friday) / Vendredi 17 février 2012 / 12:30 - 14:00

The Human Resources Management of MNC's in Asia: French and Japanese Multinational Firms Compared
  • Speakers :
    • Bruno AMANN (Univ. of Toulouse 3)
    • Jacques JAUSSAUD (Univ. of Pau and Pays de l'Adour)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (French Research Institute on Japan at Maison franco-japonaise)

January 26, 2012 (Thursday) / Jeudi 26 janvier 2012 / 12:30 - 14:00

PACL, Principles of Asian Contract Law
  • Speaker :
    • KANAYAMA Naoki (Université Keiō)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (French Research Institute on Japan at Maison franco-japonaise)
PACL — アジアの契約法の原理
  • 講演:
    • 金山直樹(慶應義塾大学)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥ(日仏会館 フランス国立日本研究センター)

November 25, 2011 (Friday) / Vendredi 25 juin 2011 / 12:30 - 14:00

FTA Policy of Japan: An Empirical Analysis of Large Scale Company Data
  • Speaker :
    • TAKAHASHI Katsuhide (Kokugakuin University)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (French Research Institute on Japan at Maison franco-japonaise)
日本のFTA政策:大規模企業データの分析
  • 講演:
    • 高橋克秀(國學院大學)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥ([日仏会館内]フランス国立日本研究センター)

June 30, 2011 (Thursday) / Jeudi 30 juin 2011 / 12:30 - 14:00

Evolution of Wine Market and Legal Problems in Japan
  • Speaker :
    • EBIHARA Kensuke (Meiji Gakuin University)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (French Research Institute on Contemporary Japan [UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])
  • 講演:
    • 蛯原健介(明治学院大学准教授)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥ(フランス国立現代日本研究センター[UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])

May 26, 2011 (Thursday) / Jeudi 26 mai 2011 / 12:30 - 14:00

Ethical Consumption in Japan: A New Consumer Trend?
  • Speaker :
    • Florian KOHLBACHER (DIJ Tokyo, Japan)
  • Discussant :
    • Marc HUMBERT (French Research Institute on Contemporary Japan [UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])
  • 講演:
    • フローリアン・コールバッハ(ドイツ日本研究所副所長)
  • 討論:
    • マルク・アンベール(フランス国立現代日本研究センター[UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])

April 20, 2011 (Wednesday) / Mercredi 20 avril 2011 / 12:30 - 14:00

How Young Japanese are Choosing their Future Life through University Entrance Examinations
  • Speaker :
    • INOGUCHI Takashi (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo; President, University of Niigata Prefecture)
  • Discussant :
    • Marc HUMBERT (French Research Institute on Contemporary Japan [UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])
  • 講演:
    • 猪口 孝(東京大学名誉教授・新潟県立大学学長)
  • 討論:
    • マルク・アンベール(フランス国立現代日本研究センター[UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])

February 10, 2011 (Thursday) / Jeudi 10 février 2011 / 12:30 - 14:00

CSR Management in Japanese Companies
  • Speaker :
    • TANIMOTO Kanji (Graduate School of Commerce and Management, Hitotsubashi University)
  • Discussant :
    • Marc HUMBERT (French Research Institute on Contemporary Japan [UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])
  • 講演:
    • 谷本寛治(一橋大学大学院商学研究科教授)
  • 討論:
    • マルク・アンベール(フランス国立現代日本研究センター[UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])

January 14, 2011 (Friday) / Vendredi 14 décembre 2011 / 12:30 - 14:00

Geopolitical Place of Japan in the World
  • Speaker :
    • HARAOKA Naoyuki (Japan Economic Foundation)
  • Discussant :
    • Marc HUMBERT (French Research Institute on Contemporary Japan [UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])
  • 講演:
    • 原岡直幸(財団法人 国際経済交流財団)
  • 討論:
    • マルク・アンベール(フランス国立現代日本研究センター[UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE])

December 20, 2010 (Monday) / Lundi 20 décembre 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

Prospects of Reforming Migration Policy in Japan:
New Proposals
  • Speaker :
    • IGUCHI Yasushi (Professor and Dr. of Economics, Director of the Research Institute for Economies with Low Fertility, Kwansei Gakuin University)
  • Discussant :
    • Hélène LE BAIL (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • 井口 泰(関西学院大学教授)
  • 討論:
    • エレヌ・ル=バイ(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

November 24, 2010 (Wednesday) / Mercredi 24 novembre 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

Does Law Matter in Japan?
The Emerging Role of Law, Lawyers, and Legal Institutions in the Revitalization of Japanese Society
  • Speaker :
    • Gerald McALINN (Professor [Business Law], Law School, Keio University)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • ジェラルド・マクリン(慶應義塾大学法科大学院教授)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥ(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

October 15, 2010 (Friday) / Vendredi 15 octobre 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

Neoliberals and Radical Left Are on a Same Boat: Is the Debate on “Basic Income” a Japanese Exception or Is There a Universal Rationale Behind?
  • Speaker :
    • YAMAMORI Tōru (Associate Professor in Social Policy, Faculty of Economics, Dōshisha University [Kyoto])
  • Discussant :
    • Thierry RIBAULT (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • 山森 亮(同志社大学)
  • 討論:
    • チエリー・リボー(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

June 23, 2010 (Wednesday) / Mercredi 23 juin 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

What Future for the Social Security System in Japan?
  • Speaker :
    • KATADA Kaori (Saitama Prefectural University, Department of Social Welfare and Social Policy)
  • Discussant :
    • Thierry RIBAULT (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • 堅田香緒里(埼玉県立大学)
  • 討論:
    • チエリー・リボー(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

May 12, 2010 (Wednesday) / Mercredi 12 mai 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

Can the DPJ really move "From Concrete To People" and "From Bureaucratic Sectionalism To Political Leadership"?
  • Speaker :
    • Gregory W. NOBLE (Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • Gregory W. NOBLE(東京大学社会科学研究所教授)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

March 23, 2010 (Tuesday) / Mardi 23 mars 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

Legal Reform Projects as an Infrastructure for Foreign Investments in Japan
  • Speaker :
    • HAYAKAWA Yoshihisa (Professor of Law, Rikkyo University)
      Attorney-at-Law (admitted only in Japan)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • 早川吉尚(立教大学教授)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥ(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

February 26, 2010 (Friday) / Vendredi 26 février 2010 / 12:30 - 14:00

Incorporation of National Universities in Japan
  • Speaker :
    • ŌBA Jun (Associate Professor, Research Institute for Higher Education [RIHE], Hiroshima University)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • 大場 淳(広島大学高等教育研究開発センター准教授)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

November 26, 2009 (Thursday) / Jeudi 26 novembre 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

The Possibility of the Rule of Law Networking through Legal Cooperation: a Challenge for Global Governance
  • Speaker :
    • MATSUO Hiroshi (Professor of Law, Law School, Keio University)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE Research Institute)
  • 講演:
    • 松尾 弘(慶應義塾大学法科大学院教授)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥー(UMIFRE 19 CNRS-MAEE 日仏会館研究員)

October 30, 2009 (Friday) / Vendredi 30 octobre 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

Mass Layoffs of Temporary Workers and the Functions of Employment Portfolio Systems
  • Speaker :
    • NITTA Michio (The University of Tokyo, Institute of Social Science)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
  • 講演:
    • 仁田道夫(東京大学社会科学研究所)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(日仏会館研究センター)

September 25, 2009 (Friday) / Vendredi 25 septembre 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

Licensing Strategy of Japanese Firms
  • Speaker :
    • TAKAHASHI Nobuo (The University of Tokyo)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
  • 講演:
    • 高橋伸夫(東京大学)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(日仏会館研究センター)

June 29, 2009 (Monday) / Lundi 29 juin 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

Japanese New Business Model to Cope With the Open Innovation
  • Speaker :
    • MAEDA Noboru (Aoyama Gakuin University)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
  • 講演:
    • 前田 昇(青山学院大学)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(日仏会館研究センター)

May 29, 2009 (Friday) / Vendredi 29 mai 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

Japanese Innovation Policy: Between Theory and Practice
  • Speaker :
    • HARAYAMA Yūko (Tohoku University)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
  • 講演:
    • 原山優子(東北大学)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(日仏会館研究センター)

April 24, 2009 (Friday) / Vendredi 24 avril 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

Population Decline and Ageing in Japan: The Social Consequences
  • Speaker :
    • Florian COULMAS (Deutsches Institut für Japanstudien)
  • Discussant :
    • Marc HUMBERT (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
日本における人口減少と高齢化:社会的影響
  • 講演:
    • フロリアン・クルマス(ドイツ-日本研究所)
  • 討論:
    • マルク・アンベール(日仏会館研究センター)

March 27, 2009 (Friday) / Vendredi 27 mars 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

Why Women in Japan Struggle with Economic and Political Activities?
  • Speaker :
    • HASHIMOTO Hiroko (Jumonji University)
  • Discussant :
    • Isabelle GIRAUDOU (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
なぜ日本の女性は経済・政治活動と苦闘するのか?
  • 講演:
    • 橋本ヒロ子(十文字学園女子大学)
  • 討論:
    • イザベル・ジロドゥ(日仏会館研究センター)

February 27, 2009 (Friday) / Vendredi 27 février 2009 / 12:30 - 14:00

A Model Change of TPS (Toyota Production System) in the Globalization Era
  • Speaker :
    • SHIMIZU Kōichi (Professor at Okayama University)
  • Discussant :
    • Yveline LECLER (Institut de Recherche de la Maison franco-japonaise)
トヨタ生産システム グローバル時代のモデルチェンジ?
  • 講演:
    • 清水耕一(岡山大学)
  • 討論:
    • レクレル イブリン(日仏会館研究センター)

December 4, 2008 (Thursday) / Jeudi 4 décembre 2008 / 12:30 - 14:00

Financial Crisis in Europe and Asia
  • Michel FOUQUIN
    • Deputy Director, CEPII [Centre d'Études Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales]
  • KUNIMUNE Kōzō
    • Director, International Economics Studies Group, IDE-JETRO
ヨーロッパとアジアの金融危機
  • ミシェル・フーケン
    • 国際経済予測研究センター副所長
  • 國宗浩三
    • 日本貿易振興機構 アジア経済研究所 開発研究センター国際経済研究グループ長

Past Seminars on the Japanese Economy from January 2004 to July 2008



Maison franco-japonaise
3-9-25, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013 Japon
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E-mail: info (à ajouter @mfj.gr.jp)

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