Articles

The Japanese chemical industry is entering a new phase of structural reorganization. Companies in this industry are now shifting toward a strategy focused on selectivity and the reallocation of resources, aiming to sharpen their competitive strengths rather than simply grow in size. This paper takes a broad, industry-wide perspective to organize the key issues that the top management must confront, as well as tier-specific approaches across the value chain. By doing so, it seeks to offer insights that may help companies as they consider future industry reorganization.

In July of this year, the “GENIUS Act” was enacted in the United States, marking a significant advancement in the regulatory frameworks for stablecoins across Japan, the European Union, and the United States. As each jurisdiction has developed its own framework through distinct approaches, an environment conducive to the entry of financial institutions and technology companies is gradually emerging. This paper organizes recent international regulatory developments relating to stablecoins and examines their implications for Japan’s pioneering framework. Part I provides a comparative overview of the regulatory architectures in the United States, Europe, and Japan, while Part II addresses issues concerning supervisory implementation and challenges for private-sector deployment.

Life insurance was originally born as a mechanism of mutual aid within small, close-knit communities—“visible” groups of people. In recent years, however, amid shifts in consumer behavior, its value as a daily essential and social infrastructure has begun to waver. The key to reversing this trend lies in re-radicalizing life insurance—bringing it back to its origins—and doing so by embedding protection seamlessly into everyday life. This article reexamines the role that life insurance should play in the future and presents a vision in which it becomes more indispensable to society than ever before.

Is a “Re-Radicalized” Future for Life Insurance Truly Achievable? While initiatives that depart from conventional trajectories face numerous challenges, many of these barriers can be overcome with existing technologies. By examining pioneering case studies, this article explores mechanisms for integrating insurance seamlessly into everyday life and identifies practical approaches to make such integration a reality. Furthermore, it considers the feasibility of monetization, aiming to sharpen the clarity of new business models for life insurance.

Chinese automobile manufacturers are rapidly emerging as global leaders in both technological development and business expansion within the electric vehicle (EV) sector. In China’s massive domestic market—now the world’s largest—foreign automakers are increasingly losing ground. Furthermore, Chinese players are intensifying their offensive in the ASEAN market, which had long been a stronghold for Japanese manufacturers. In the midst of this increasingly fierce EV competition, how should Japan’s automakers respond? This article explores the strategies Japanese companies must adopt to survive and remain competitive in the global EV landscape.

With the inauguration of the new Trump administration, significant changes are expected in the United States’ climate policies and the related business environment. At COP29 (the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), held in November 2024, international discussions unfolded in anticipation of a major shift in U.S. energy policy. Based on insights gained from on-site observations and analysis of the Trump administration’s policy direction, this article explores strategic approaches that Japanese companies should consider over the next four years.

“Nature Positive” is a term that many corporate leaders may already be familiar with. Around the world, efforts to promote nature-positive practices are gaining momentum. This article outlines strategic recommendations for Japanese companies, based on key takeaways from COP29 and emerging regulatory trends.

SDGs, digital transformation (DX), and carbon neutrality have been the primary business themes. Now, the "circular economy" is emerging as the next focal point. While Japanese companies may still view it with some skepticism, it is expected to become a core component of corporate value within the next few years. As we anticipate the arrival of a circular economy society, this article explores the potential for gaining first-mover advantages and the strategic course that companies should take to achieve them.

"Software-Defined Vehicles" (SDVs), where primary automotive functions are defined and implemented through software, has been brought to the market, led by Tesla and other manufacturers in China. In the era of SDVs, the focus often shifts to the technological aspects, such as the increasing importance of software development. However, to enhance the competitiveness of automotive manufacturers, it is crucial to deeply understand the characteristics of SDVs and address non-technical challenges, such as organizational restructuring.