On March 7, 2023, the 53rd Youth Academic Workshop on International Studies of Fudan University (YAWIS Fudan) was held at the Center for Japanese Studies by the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University (IIS Fudan). Assistant Professor JIANG Mingyu presented her research titled Japanese Economy and Society during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis Focusing on Microeconomic Entities. The 53rd YAWIS Fudan was moderated by Professor QI Huaigao and commented on by Professor HE Ping. More than 20 undergraduate and graduate students from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, School of Economics, School of Mathematical Sciences, and Department of Tourism attended the workshop.

JIANG Mingyu discussed two important topics related to microeconomic entities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. One of them is the Japanese government's support policies for companies and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic and its insights; the other is the impact of working from home on labor productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The following is a summary of her discussion. When an economic crisis arises, policymakers have to decide how and to what extent to intervene in the market. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese government implemented policies aimed at supporting businesses and individuals, which helped mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on the Japanese economy. However, it is important to consider the potential issues with Japan's policies, including the possibility of inefficient businesses surviving due to excessive support, insufficient assistance for vulnerable groups such as female workers, and the difficulty of balancing economic recovery and public health protection. Given that microeconomic entities play a vital role in economic development, selecting and implementing effective supportive policies will remain a crucial issue in the long term. It is important to summarize the Japanese experience. Furthermore, JIANG Mingyu discussed the impact of working from home on labor productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The findings reveal that working from home positively affects labor productivity.

During the Q&A session, participants discussed various issues, including the strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese government's support policies for companies and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, the changes in Japan's employment system, and the implications of the policies implemented to address an aging society in Japan.

    About the presenter: JIANG Mingyu received her Ph.D. in Economics from Kobe University. She joined IIS Fudan as Assistant Professor in July 2022. Her research interests include the Japanese economy and policy evaluation, and she has published her research in journals such as Contemporary Economy of Japan, Consumer Economics, Ageing and Society.

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