Japan’s Demographic Challenge: Does It Need Immigration to Thrive? To Survive?

The Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS) and Japan Expert Insights are pleased to present the next installment of the YCAPS Pub Talk series: “Japan's Demographic Challenge: Does it need Immigration to Thrive? To Survive?”

As Japan faces an unprecedented demographic shift, the debate over immigration has moved from the periphery to the center of national survival strategies. Join leading policy experts and scholars at the iconic "What the Dickens!" pub in Ebisu for a candid, off-the-record discussion.

Featuring Dr. Murata Koji (Doshisha University), Dr. Yu Korekawa (National Institute of Population and Social Security Research), Professor Andrew Oros (Washington College), Dr. Maximilien Xavier Rehm (Doshisha University), and moderated by Maya Matsuoka (Japan Expert Insights), this seminar will explore the socio-political realities of demographic decline and the practicalities of expanding immigration.

YCAPS is grateful to What the Dickens! for providing exclusive use of the venue for this event. The bar and kitchen will be open throughout the evening, allowing attendees to enjoy food and drinks during the program. Please come early to grab a bite or drink, chat with the speakers, and get to know fellow audience members.

Pre-registration is not required. The venue comfortably holds 70 people, and admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

*There is an optional pre-registration list for those who would like priority entrance into the venue. (Those on the pre-registration list will be allowed entry at 6:00pm, while general entry begins at 6:15 pm)

Pre-registration (optional) at this Google form.

Date: Monday, June 29, 2026

Time: 18:15–21:00 (Early 18:00 admittance for pre-registered audience members)

Venue: What the Dickens!

ROOB6 Building 4th floor, Ebisunishi, 1 Chome-13-3, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0021

〒150-0021 東京都渋谷区恵比寿西１丁目１３－３　ＲＯＯＢ６ビル 4階

Google Maps: https://share.google/fXIdcMQH6qHUAajV8

Schedule:

• 18:00 Doors open (pre-registered)
• 18:15 Doors open (All)
• 18:15–19:00 Casual conversation & networking social
• 19:00–20:15 Panel Discussion
• 20:15–21:00 Informal conversation and networking
• *Participants will be able to buy food and drinks throughout the event.

Speakers:

Dr. Murata Koji is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, Doshisha University, where he previously served as President (2013-2016) and Dean of the Faculty of Law (2011-2013). He received his M.Phil. in Political Science from George Washington University as a Fulbright student and his Ph.D. from Kobe University. A specialist in U.S. foreign policy in East Asia and the U.S.-Japan alliance, Dr. Murata has held prestigious fellowships at the Henry L. Stimson Center and the Mike Mansfield Foundation. He is currently the Vice President of the Japan Association for International Security and serves on the board of governors for NHK. An influential voice in Japanese policy circles, he frequently testifies in the National Diet and is a prominent commentator for major television networks and newspapers. He is the author of numerous award-winning works, including The Failure of Presidents (Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities).

Dr. Korekawa Yu started his professional career as a staff economist of the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, in 2003. He worked for the council on economic and fiscal policy (CEFP), which the Prime Minister chairs. He was a deputy director in charge of policy planning and economic analysis. He obtained an academic position in IPSS in 2012 and has been in charge of international migration and migration policy research. He has been a delegate of Japan to the Working Party on Migration (WPM) and Expert Group on Migration (SOPEMI), OECD since 2013, and he is also assigned to a bureau member of WPM from 2021-to 2024 for the second term. He obtained a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, and an M.A. from University of California, Irvine. One of his recent articles is “Japan’s Stalled Immigration Experiment | Foreign Affairs”, (co-authored with Gracia Liu-Farrer and Takeshi Miyai).

Dr. Andrew Oros is Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland and author of "Japan's Security Renaissance" (Columbia University Press, 2017). He was recently a fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, working on a new book manuscript tentatively entitled “Asia's Graying Security: Aging Powers and Rising Challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”

Dr. Maximilien Xavier Rehm is a postdoctoral assistant at the Graduate School of Global Studies, Doshisha University, Kyoto. Coming from a background of political science and international relations, Maximilien’s current primary research focus is Japanese migration policy. He has written extensively on the topic, with peer-reviewed articles published on Japan’s refugee policy, the 2019 amendment to the Immigration Control Act, and the migration policies of the second Abe administration. His first book, titled “Japan’s Immigration Regime: Contradiction and Continuity”, is set for release later this year. An updated list of his recent publications can be found on his website, and he also occasionally blogs about Japanese politics.

Moderator:

Maya Matsuoka is the owner and principal consultant of Japan Expert Insights, a company that helps companies and individuals working with Japan understand and smoothly navigate Japan’s business practices. Among intercultural training and consulting projects, Maya currently co-hosts a podcast focused on Japanese business culture and another one on Japanese politics.

Cost: Free of charge. All bar and kitchen proceeds support the venue.
Format: This event will be off-the-record. Questions are encouraged
Moderator(s): Maya Matsuoka(Japan Expert Insights)

Co-sponsor: Japan Expert Insights