BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.3.7.4//EN TZID:Asia/Tokyo X-WR-TIMEZONE:Asia/Tokyo BEGIN:VEVENT UID:114@sccij.jp DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260204T120000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Tokyo:20260204T140000 DTSTAMP:20260120T064008Z URL:https://sccij.jp/events/february-2026-luncheon-economic-prospects-for- japan/ SUMMARY:February 2026 Luncheon: “Economic Prospects for Japan: A Comparat ive View with Switzerland” DESCRIPTION:\nJoin us for our February Luncheon with \;Prof. Masaaki Sh irakawa\, former Governor of the Bank of Japan\, as he offers a comprehens ive perspective on Japan’s economic outlook at a time of profound struct ural change. Drawing on his experience at the center of global monetary po licymaking\, Prof. Shirakawa will address key challenges facing Japan’s economy\, including monetary policy\, exchange-rate dynamics\, fiscal sust ainability\, demographic decline\, and the evolving role of immigration. T hrough a comparative lens with Switzerland\, the discussion will provide v aluable insights into how two advanced economies have confronted parallel challenges\, offering timely reflections for business leaders navigating J apan’s economic landscape.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe presentation will address the key structural challenges facing Japan’s economy\, including monetar y policy\, exchange-rate dynamics\, fiscal sustainability\, demographic de cline\, and the evolving role of immigration. Where relevant\, Switzerland ’s experience will be used as a point of comparison.\n\n\n\nSwitzerland holds a special place in the speaker’s professional career as a central banker\, not least because Basel\, home to the Bank for International Sett lements (BIS)\, was a frequent destination during his tenure. Moreover\, J apan and Switzerland faced several parallel economic challenges during thi s period\, offering valuable perspectives for comparative analysis.\n\n\n\ n\n\n\n\nDate:Wednesday\, February 4\, 2026Time:12:00 - 14:00 (D.O. 11:45) Venue:Shangri-la Tokyo\, @Conway 2&\;3 (27F)Marunouchi Trust Tower Main \, 1-8-3 Marunouchi\, Chiyoda City\, Tokyo 100-8283 (MAP)Entry Fee:•&nbs p\;Members: \;JPY 6\,500 or 1 SCCIJ voucher 2026• \;Non-members:  \;JPY 9\,600Registration:Registration Status: Fully bookedA waiting l ist will be created\, and seats will be allocated on a first-come\, first- served basis in case of cancellations.Deadline: January 29\, 2026\, 18:00 JST.**No-shows &\; cancellations after the deadline will be fully char ged.*Concept:• \;This event consists in a 3-course lunch followed by a presentation (and Q&\;A). The setting is ideal for networking.•&nb sp\;Participants are typically members of the Swiss-Japanese business comm unity\, but non-members are also welcome to join. • Seats are not attrib uted (free seating).• \;Dress code is business / business casual.Dis claimer:• \;The SCCIJ may film and take photographs of this event. I f you participate\, please be noted that these pictures and videos may be used in various media\, such as the SCCIJ website\, SCCIJ social networkin g sites\, and SCCIJ promotional materials. If you do not want to appear on these pictures and/or videos\, kindly notify the SCCIJ staff at the event .• \;The views expressed by the speaker(s) do not reflect those of t he SCCIJ as an organization.Inquiries:By e-mail to \;info@sccij.jp\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBiography of the Speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProf . Masaaki Shirakawa is the former Governor of the Bank of Japan. He was ap pointed as Governor in April 2008 and left the Bank in March 2013. He was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Sett lements (BIS) between January 2011 and March 2013. Currently\, he is Disti nguished Guest Professor at Aoyama Gakuin University and a member of the G roup of Thirty.\n\n\n\nMasaaki Shirakawa joined the Bank of Japan in 1972. His career encompassed both monetary policy and financial stability. He h eld key positions including the one of Executive Director responsible for laying the groundwork of Japanese monetary policy decisions. \n\n\n\nBorn in 1949\, Masaaki Shirakawa studied economics at the University of Tokyo ( B.A. in 1972) and at the University of Chicago (M.A. in 1977). From July 2 006 until March 2008\, he was Professor at the Kyoto University School of Government. \n\n\n\n\nAccess\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sccij.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/scci j-luncheon-February-4.pptx.jpg CATEGORIES:NO COD,Upcoming Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Asia/Tokyo X-LIC-LOCATION:Asia/Tokyo BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20250204T120000 TZOFFSETFROM:+0900 TZOFFSETTO:+0900 TZNAME:JST END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR