Message from Masaaki Homma
Toward Phase II
Masaaki Homma
President,
Kansai Institute for Social Economics Research
The Kansai Institute for Social and Economic Research (KISER), a public-interest corporation, has entered its 7th year since its founding in April 2002.
Over the six years as a result of the consolidation of three research institutions, KISER has worked to integrate the functions of its predecessors. Taking advantage of such consolidated functions, the Institute has been successful in promoting reforms in the Kansai region and at the national level as well, in close cooperation with the academic community. With the rapid aging of the population, decline in birthrate and increasing globalization, however, further changes are required at national and regional levels and among corporations and individuals. Meanwhile, as part of the national government's institutional reforms, the enforcement of a new public-interest corporation system is drawing near. With introduction of the new system, we will reaffirm what the Institute should be like as a foundation and how it can better pursue public interest in implementing activities.
In order to deal proactively with these changes in external circumstances, the Institute, considering this fiscal year as the starting point for moving into phase II, has set two courses of action. First, we aim to achieve remarkable advances in Institute performance as an open, Kansai-based think tank operated by leading regional organizations and academia. To this end we will concentrate our efforts on creating better conditions for our research and public information activities. With upgraded public information and hearing functions that take advantage of the interactiveness of the Internet, KISER will make its activities known to its member companies, and widely to the business community, and will receive feedback. In addition to reinforcing research activities through this cycle, we will work to provide our staff with more opportunities to improve their skills. These are key issues the Institute should address by taking concrete actions for the benefit of the Kansai region. In other words, our aim is to realize an Institute of the Kansai people, by the Kansai people, and for the Kansai people.
Other key issues for phase II include: reinforcing networks with academic circles and external experts in Japan and overseas so as to produce higher-quality results; and establishing a framework for such activities that will be highly acclaimed throughout society.
As the other course of action, the Institute is continuing its efforts to reinforce the survey and research activities that will contribute to the development of the Kansai region and Japan, while pushing ahead with the above reforms. Specifically, we will conduct various activities, including: (1) research aimed at helping revitalize the Kansai region; (2) industrial and social analyses and research that will help resolve structural problems; (3) research that will contribute to the realization of local government initiatives; and (4) research that will be of help in national economic and fiscal management and structural reform. Through these activities, KISER aims to find solutions for various socioeconomic problems.
In addition to these issues, we must tackle a broad range of issues, such as member services enhancement by improving the contents of seminars, lecture meetings etc. Both officers and staff at KISER are determined to make all-out efforts toward further development of the Institute. We sincerely appreciate the continued support and cooperation of our members, academic partners and website visitors.
April 21, 2008
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