16 December 2012: General Election in Japan

Today is the 25th General election in Japan (since 1945). There are more than 12 political parties competing to govern Japan in next four years. Public opinion polls show that Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is likely to win a simple majority in this lower house election.

A spectrum of policy choices manifested by each political party include revitalizing the economy, for or against the use of nuclear energy, pro or anti Trans-Pacific Partnership (a free trade agreement among 12 countries) negotiation, amendment of constitution, reform in education and others. Thus, unlike the previous election when the electorate's choice was clear: LDP or the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). In this general election, the voters would have to choose which political party offers the most effective and realistic policies that could be the best for the country in the next four years.

Regardless of the outcome, it is likely that Japanese will not remember the names of political parties listed below that compete for their votes.

The Democratic Party of Japan
The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan
New Komeito
Japanese Communist Party
Social Democratic Party
Tomorrow Party of Japan
Your Party
Japan Restoration Party
People's Party
New Party Daichi-Shinminshu
New Party Nippon
New Renaissance Party
Green Wind
People's Life First
The Sunrise Party
The Sunrise Party of Japan
Tax Cut Japan
Kizuna Party

Myanmar: FDI

Here is my second op-ed on Myanmar in the Myanmar Times, 29 October 2012.

"Foreign Direct Investment: Clearing the Infrastructure Bottlenecks."

My Article in Myanmar Times

Here is the link to my article on Myanmar, jointly written with Professor Tan Kim Song of Singapore Management University, published in Myanmar Times on 24 September 2012.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/in-depth/1772-economy-can-be-game-changer-for-region.html

自民党総裁選結果：雑感

安倍晋三氏は石破氏を敗り、自民党総裁に返り咲いて再び総理大臣になる可能性が出てきた。総裁投票選の第1回投票では石破氏は安倍氏より約2倍の党員票を獲得したが、国会議員のみ投票権をもつ決戦投票の結果逆転負けとなった。このような「民主的」総裁選は果たして良かったのか些か疑問を感じる。政党に属する国会議員は党員の支持を受けているのに、決戦投票において党員の意向が反映されていなかったのである。乱暴な例えではあるが、会社の株主が望ましいと思う役員を社長にしようとして、取締役会のメンバーは株主の意向を汲み入れようとせず、一度会社の経営を任期途中で投げ出した社長を再び選んだと同じこと。「美しい国、日本」よりも、「醜い国、日本」と思われても仕方があるまい。

Hari Merdeka

31 August 2012 marks the 55th Independence Day of Malaysia (Hari Merdeka). Since gaining independence from the British colonial rule in 1957, Malaysia's economy has grown from low income to upper middle income level.

According to the World Bank, GDP per capita has grown from USD299 in 1960 to USD9,686 in 2011, an annual growth rate of about 7% in the last five decades. It is indeed an impressive performance, but Malaysia could have done even better. Singapore, the closest competitor,  has shown a much better growth performance which has an annual growth rate of  9.8% over the same period. Singapore's GDP per capita is USD46,241 in 2011, which is 4.7 times more than a Malaysian. Also, Singapore ranks 19th in the World Bank's list, which is higher than Japan.

It does not require a nobel laureate in economics to explain the underlying reason for the performance gap between Malaysia and Singapore. The leaders have the answer but unfortunately they are not willing to deliver it. Even worst, a major press media Star which serves as the fourth branch government in Malaysia opines that Malaysians should satisfy with the present outcome instead of complaining that government should have done more (see my posting on 22 August 2012).

While all Malaysians ought to support their government, it is also true that every Malaysia has the right to demand a leadership that would deliver a better economic performance that commensurates to the country's potential.

「正の外部性」を通用しない？

日本の大学・大学院はグロバール経済と国内構造変化の対応に苦しんでいる。質の高い人的資源の供給とその需要となる企業の間にミスマッチが生じているようである。少子化で大学全入時代を直面している学部および専門職の人材を育成する大学院は課題が多い。後者について日経新聞に8月21日〜24日に「沈む大学院」と題する連載があった。確かに大学院の取り巻く環境が厳しい。

経済学では教育は「正の外部性」という性質があり、故に政府（文科省）は積極的に介入してゆくのは正当である。しかし、文科省主導でこの20年間に行った小中等教育と高等教育部門の改革や刷新をみれば、その成果は初期の期待値の半分以下となったのではないかと思わざるを得ない。「正の外部性」という経済学の理論は日本では適用できなかったのかと不思議に思った次第である。

100回を超えた

気が付いたら、当プログは前回で丁度100回目であった。2006年3月にスタートしたのを考えれば、真面目なブロガーではなかった。。。

The Press in Malaysia

I was astonished to read an opinion article in Star Online (19 August 2012) entitled "Let's be honest in assessing our in assessing our achievements." It claims that "As a people, Malaysians tend to be picky and self-deprecating to the point of overlooking our strengths as a nation."

This assertion was based on the fact that the economy has grown 5.4% in the second quarter, which is relatively high when compared with developed and other emerging economies. In addition, Star contends that Malaysians should appreciate the growth benefits instead of complaining that the government should have done more.

On the one hand, from psychological point of view, Star's opinion can be regarded as "my glass is still half full" instead of "my glass is half empty." On the other hand, Star can assert that Malaysian economy could have performed better, and Malaysians have the right or entitlement to choose a new leadership or new government that could deliver a higher growth benefits. I bet that most rakyat Malaysia are demanding the latter.

It is unfortunate that, in spite our level of development, the Star is still the fourth branch of government instead of transforming itself to become the fourth estate.

再開

ブログを再開します。

India-Japan Economic Relations

Here is my article on "India-Japan Economic Relations," written for the purpose of raising greater awareness of the current situation, constraints, and the way forward with regards to the bilateral economic relations, in conjunction with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's official visit to Dehli on 28 December 2011.