This project aims to examine the current state of production networks in East Asia and the future of the international trade order. In addition, it aims to reaffirm the importance of free and open economic activities based on international trade rules, while reconciling the interests of economic security with the economic benefits of globalization in an unstable international environment.

Achieving the SDGs, boosting ESG investment, and building sustainable supply chains are indispensable factors when devising business strategies in Asia. In view of that, this project aims to disseminate information and educate people about human rights and SDGs management, as well as to change the behavior of companies and consumers with an emphasis on SDGs. This will be achieved through thought-provoking lectures by experts and discussions with moderators at three separate forums. We will continue to deepen discussions on issues related to the implementation of SDGs management based on existing research.

Based on last year’s (2023) report entitled “The necessity for ‘urban development’ based on regional data platforms,” a forum will be held inviting experts to deepen discussions on the ideal urban operating system (urban OS) infrastructure to be pursued in the future. The forum is expected to help deepen existing discussions and disseminate information to market participants.

One of the advantages of the Kansai region is that its urban and rural areas are in close proximity. In consideration of that, this project aims to propose strategies to increase the profitability of agriculture in Kansai based on the integration of urban and rural areas into a community of “local production for local consumption.”

The project involved conducting fieldwork and interview surveys, evaluating case studies, and summarizing issues for the implementation of a community model based on food and agriculture.

Japan’s population is declining rapidly, making it increasingly difficult to maintain physical infrastructure in the future due to labor shortages. In view of that, this project aims to explore measures to maintain and improve the Kansai’s affluence and vitality even in the midst of a declining population in the medium and long term.

This year, a database of labor indicators will be created, based on data from various sources. A comprehensive analysis will then be conducted, making use of APIR’s accumulated knowledge. Finally, the results of the analysis will be utilized to identify the specific labor problems facing the Kansai region.

This project aims to prepare for making the APIR-Kansai inter-regional input-output table for the year 2020 covering 10 prefectures in Kansai and other regions. We plan to conduct a web-based questionnaire survey to construct inter-regional trade matrixes in the 2024 fiscal year. We will also utilize the existing table for the year 2015 to estimate the economic ripple effects of various events, including the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, and to analyze the structure of Kansai’s economy.