About JFIT
Who We Are
JFIT – the Japan Forum for Innovation and Technology – at UC San Diego's School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) is a research center for the study of Japan and its role in Asia and the world. We analyze, interpret and inform on current events, covering Japan's economy, business, politics, society, environment and innovation from a global policy and strategy perspective. We also offer tailored educational programs and networking opportunities to global scholars, businesses and policymakers.
We are particularly strong in the areas of economy and business, with two leading scholars: Ulrike Schaede and Shinnosuke Kikuchi. These core faculty connect to other faculty on the UC San Diego campus, from research on the environment and oceanography to data science, AI science, health sciences, material sciences, bioengineering, engineering and robotics, to name just a few.
As such, our research agenda represents a multidisciplinary perspective on contemporary Japan and its role in world commerce, economics and societal issues.
What We Do
Japan Zoominar @ UC San Diego
JFIT hosts a "Japan Zoominar" that invites Japan experts from around the world – professors, business executives, journalists, think tank scholars and other domain specialists – to discuss current research and events in Japan. The goal is to provide easy access to deeper analysis and alternative views, beyond the standard storyline.
Research Programs
We represent two core research areas – the Japanese economy and Japanese business and management. In these areas, we cover broad issues ranging from corporate strategy and innovation, globalization and geoeconomics, labor markets and employment and the future role of Japan in world affairs. We also cooperate with other centers at GPS – such as the 21st Century China Center, 21st Century India Center, Korea-Pacific Program, etc. – as well as the UC San Diego's Department of Economics and engage with a variety of co-authors and visiting scholars around the world.
Educational Programs
JFIT runs various programs that teach global business, international management and doing business in Japan. In particular, we offer a short-term training program called ASP (“Advanced Visiting Scholar Program”) for corporate training.
All of our programs are flexible immersion programs that offer participants the opportunity to pursue their focused area of research and engage with faculty related to their areas of study.
Connections
We help build connections by introducing program participants and corporate partners to the San Diego research and business communities, including faculty at UC San Diego and our affiliates in companies and innovation ecosystem players in Southern California and Japan. We foster close networks with senior Pacific leaders through our Peter F. Cowhey Center on Global Transformation and connections through the Center for Commerce and Diplomacy.
Current and Past Partners
We collaborate with many think tanks, research institutions and companies in Japan, including, but not limited to:
- Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
- Innovation Network for Co-Creating the Future
- Japan Research Institute
- Mizuho Leasing
- the Japan Foundation
- the Toshiba International Foundation
- the Development Bank of Japan
- NTT Data
- Industrial Growth Platform, Inc. (IGPI), Japan
- Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation
- LINK-J
- NEDO (New Energy Development Organization) Japan
- The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy