EVENTS

Abstract 

Shinzo Abe’s resignation came at a time when Japan was reeling under the impact of COVID-19, which brought forth the inefficiency of the public health system and the slide of the economy which was just about tottering its way into positive growth. Abe’s prime ministerial journey has given strong directions to Japan’s economic recovery through Abenomics, his manifesto had looked at constitutional changes, and in the international arena, he had progressively attempted to give Japan an independent direction from the alliance system. Abe’s departure thus requires an assessment of what he had designed to achieve and how well we can score his report card. Since his tenure has deepened India-Japan relations, at this juncture, it necessitates an appraisal of this relationship. Besides reflecting on Abe’s policies, it is also opportune to ponder over what is the task in hand for Prime Minister Sugo.

About the Speaker 

Dr. Srabani Roy Choudhury is a Professor in Japanese Studies, Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She received her Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Prior to joining Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2007, she was a faculty in International Management Institute. She has been recipient of Japan Foundation fellowship, visiting scholar programme to Keizai Koho Centre, Ministry of Economics and Industry, Japan, Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Finance, Japan, a visiting fellow at Research Institute for Economic & Business Administration, Kobe University and Graduate School of Development Studies, Nagoya University. Her research interest lies in the area of Japanese investment in India and enjoys micro –level firm studies. Her recent publications are centered on Japan- India economic relations and Japanese Multinationals experiences in India, their entry strategies and their survival techniques.

About the Chair 

Amb. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa has been a distinguished career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1979 and retired in December 2015. She has served as Ambassador of India to Japan (2012-2015), Qatar (2009-2012) and Sweden (2005-2009). She was concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Latvia (from Stockholm), and Republic of the Marshall Islands (from Tokyo). During her career, she has also held other significant assignments in China, Geneva, The Netherlands, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of External Affairs. Amb. Wadhwa is currently Chairperson of the India- Japan Friendship Forum, Member Governing Council of the Institute of Chinese Studies and is on the Governing Council of the Asian Confluence, based in Shillong.