Tag: Japan

R&D from Prepd: Japan’s Use of Nuclear Power

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On March 17, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on Japan’s use of nuclear power.  Since Japan is starved of energy resources it has relied on nuclear power for nearly 40% of its energy needs.  However, the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011 led to a shutdown of the country’s nuclear reactors.  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pushed for restarting nuclear power plants, arguing that it is a national security issue, but environmentalists say that the only way to keep Japan safe is to move to renewable resources such as solar power.

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The Fate of Abenomics

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On December 2, 2014

In International Extemp, Topic Brief

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When he assumed office in December 2012 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged a radical course of action to deal with Japan’s economic downturn.  Since 1990 the world’s third-largest economy has been plagued by deflation and sagging consumer confidence creating what Japanese policymakers call the “Lost Two Decades.”  Abe’s program, dubbed “Abenomics,” called for a combination of expansionary monetary and fiscal policy and structural reform.  Throughout 2013 the Japanese economy showed signs of recovery and inflation was moving upwards, but Abe’s decision to increase the country’s consumption tax from 5% to 8% in April has produced the country’s fourth recession since 2008.  In response to disappointing economic numbers, Abe announced last week that he is postponing a future increase in the consumption tax until 2017 and he called for new parliamentary elections next month.  He justified his call for new elections by saying that he needed a mandate from voters to continue his economic program and pledged to resign if his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition did not win.  Although the LDP is expected to triumph in next month’s vote, analysts question whether Abe has the stomach to continue major economic reforms in light of Japan’s recent recession and some criticize the upcoming election as a useless exercise.

This topic brief will discuss some of Japan’s economic programs and the progress of Abenomics, analyze the circumstances that led up to the recent parliamentary election, and prognosticate how the election could affect the implementation of Abe’s economic agenda.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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R&D: The Fate of Abenomics

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On December 2, 2014

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on the fate of Abenomics.

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NFL Nats IX R&D: China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Koreas

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On June 3, 2010

In International Extemp, R&D

Okinawa Issue Lingers from the Wall Street Journal

Warship’s sinking echoes in South Korean elections from the Washington Post

China’s Wen Jiabao, Myanmar leaders to discuss sensitive topics from the Los Angeles Times

Change is finally afoot for China’s workers from the Financial Times

Hatoyama Quitting ‘Positive’ for Stocks, Musha Says from Business Week

China’s Korean balancing act from Al Jazeera

Japan factory output up 1.3% in April from the Agence France Presse

In new sign of trust, public Taiwan firms target China from Reuters

Topic Brief: East Asia — Japan and Korea

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On October 1, 2007

In International Extemp, Topic Brief

By Michael Garson

During the “Asia” round at most major tournaments, extempers will be eagerly preparing their analysis of China’s rural poor or how the United States can limit Chinese economic power. Fifteen minutes the prepared extempers will have to do nothing but chuckle as they hear, “Who the hell is Yasuo Fukuda?” Contrary to popular belief, East Asia extends beyond Chinese borders. Indeed, the world’s second biggest economy and the world’s second biggest surreptitious nuclear program provide more than enough fodder for question writers. It is very important to maintain focus on the Korean peninsula and Japan throughout the year. North Korea and Japan occasionally hit the headlines with the latest news of a missile attack or bank collapse. However, these countries never fully disappear. Filing these countries regularly may be difficult, but not impossible. As “second-tier” issues, many IXers will ignore them. However, those who want to be well-rounded extempers that can handle any question on any topic already have at least a basic analysis of the region. Therefore, this brief hopefully will provide the foundation to a deeper understanding of Japan and the Korean peninsula. Specifically, Japan’s near future under Mr. Fukuda and North Korea’s short-term and long-term destiny with itself and the world are of particular interest.

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