As the U.S. and other Western democracies grapple with deepening social, economic and political divisions, Japan, by contrast, appears relatively cohesive and stable. But Japan is by no means devoid of cleavages; it, too, has struggled with populations and economic sectors that are at risk of being “left behind,” most notably by industrialization, globalization and demographic change. How have these voices been represented in the political and policy spheres, and at what cost? Patricia Maclachlan, Japan political scientist at UT Austin, joins us for a conversation of how consumers, postal employees, farmers and small businesses have fared in Japan’s rapidly changing political economy.

Speakers:
• Patricia L. Maclachlan, Professor of Government, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Professor of Japanese Studies, University of Texas at Austin
• Ulrike Schaede, Professor and Director of the Japan Forum for Innovation and Technology, GPS UC San Diego