[This interview was originally published on November 11th, 2021.]
UPDATE: Richard Katz is publishing a new book on entrepreneurship in Japan. If you're interested in pre-ordering, be sure to subscribe to his substack to get 30% off the hardcover version. It's one of the best ways to support writers, as it signals interest to publishes and encourages them to do larger prints and invest more in advertising: https://richardkatz.substack.com/p/30-off-for-my-book-on-japan-entrepreneurship
Today's guest Richard Katz has worked for decades as a journalist working on the Japanese economy, and he has written two books on Japan: "The System That Soured" and "Japanese Phoenix." He is now working on a third, about how to nurture a new generation of high-growth, innovative small and medium enterprises in Japan. He has published various op-eds and essays in publications such as "Foreign Affairs," The "Financial Times," Toyo Keizai, and the "Wall Street Journal Asia." A few of the topics covered in today's conversation include the dormant entrepreneurship in Japan, the broken promises made to working women, and why structural issues around finance in Japan may be one of its greatest hindrances to growth.
Richard's Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-katz-937308204/
Blog: https://richardkatz.substack.com/welcome
Entrepreneurial Revival In Japan: A False Spring or Real Opportunity? (UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xo1LYV860g
Further Reading:
Why Nobody Invests in Japan: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redeem/5gAlISIPRr8
Old corporate champions can’t save Japan: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/30/old-corporate-champions-cant-save-japan/
Japan’s Looming Climate Showdown: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redeem/rdp-a4Eil74
An Election Mandate For Growth and Redistribution: https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/464660
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