Research Projects 2025

This project explores the current landscape of production networks in East Asia and assesses the future of the international trade order. It argues that upholding free trade grounded in internationally accepted rules is essential. At the same time, it emphasizes the need to balance economic security with the benefits of globalization amid an increasingly unstable global environment.

 

Research Leader：Fukunari Kimura

Senior Research Fellow, APIR

Professor, Keio University

Japan’s agriculture sector faces pressing challenges, including a shrinking and aging workforce and rising distribution costs for agricultural products. To address these issues, this study aims to develop community-based economic model based on local production for local consumption. The model leverages the close proximity of urban and rural areas in Kansai, which is one of the region’s unique advantages.

Specifically, the project will conduct empirical research based on surveys in three areas: (1) securing agricultural labor in rural areas, (2) expanding sales channels in urban areas, and (3) establishing efficient, small-scale distribution systems between the two.

 

Research Leader: Masaya NAKATSUKA

Senior Research Fellow, APIR

Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University

Japan’s rapidly declining population is creating growing challenges in maintaining physical infrastructure, primarily due to labor shortages. In response, this project seeks to identify strategies for sustaining and enhancing the Kansai region’s prosperity and vitality over the medium to long term, despite demographic decline.

This year, we will develop a labor supply and demand forecasting model by industry in the Kansai region. The model will support the formulation of strategic, forward-looking policies for local governments and the business community as they navigate the impacts of a shrinking population.

 

Research Leader：Yoshihisa INADA

Director of Research and Director of the Center for Quantitative and Economic Analysis, APIR

Professor Emeritus, Konan University

The bioindustry is expected to see significant market expansion and technological innovation. In particular, the widespread adoption of laboratory automation is projected to greatly enhance research efficiency. These advances will fundamentally transform the knowledge and skills required of professionals working in the industry.

In view of these trends, this research project aims to examine the current state of these changes, analyze their impact on the skills and employment of engineers, and offer recommendations for the future development of highly skilled human resources.

 

Research Leader：Hisakazu MATSUSHIGE

Senior Research Fellow, APIR

Professor, Takamatsu University

The chemical industry plays a vital role in the semiconductor materials sector, and historically, the Kansai region has been a major hub for chemical manufacturing. This study will examine the distinctive strengths and competitive advantages of Kansai’s chemical industry from a historical perspective. It will also analyze the current state and future outlook of the region’s semiconductor materials industry through supply chain mapping and company-level analysis.

Specifically, key companies identified through the supply chain analysis will be selected for further investigation using quantitative methods and interview-based surveys.

 

Research Leader：Yoichi MATSUBAYASHI

Senior Research Fellow, APIR

Professor, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University

This project aims to lay the groundwork for developing the APIR Kansai inter-regional input-output table covering the 10 prefectures of the Kansai region and surrounding areas.

In fiscal year 2025, we will analyze data collected through the web-based questionnaire survey conducted in the previous year to construct the 2020 inter-regional input-output table. Additionally, we will assess the economic ripple effects of the Osaka-Kansai Expo using the 2015 table and carry out comparative analyses based on the 2011 and 2015 tables.

 

Research Leader：Kikuo TAKABAYASHI

Senior Research Fellow, APIR

Professor, Department of Economics, Osaka University of Economics and Law