On the morning ofJune24,2024,the 12thlectureof the“Cooperation and Development”series, jointly organized by the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University, the Institute of SCO Studies of Shandong University, the Institute for Public Safety Research of Shandong University, was successfully heldat themeeting room S436on thefourthfloor of Huagangyuan South Building. The theme of this lecture is“Japan's Lost Three Decades and Its Implications for China’s Economic Security,”andthe lecture was delivered by Professor Zhao Laixun, a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, senior professor at the Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration of Kobe University, editor-in-chief of SSCI journalsJournal of International Trade & Economic DevelopmentandJapanese Accounting Review, and recipient of the highest research award from the Japanese International Economic Association. Thelecturewas chaired by Professor Edmund Li Sheng, Distinguished Professor at the School of Political Science and Public Administration and Executive Dean of the Institute of SCO Studies,Shandong University. Faculty members and students from theSchoolof Political Science and Public Administration and the School of Lawparticipated in the academic exchange and discussion.

Before the lecture began, Professor Edmund Li Sheng presented Professor Zhao Laixun with a letter of appointment as Senior Research Fellow at theInstituteofSCOStudiesof Shandong University, warmly welcoming Professor Zhao to the team and expressing hopes for strengthened academic exchanges and cooperation in the future.

At the outset of the lecture, Professor Zhao Laixun first provided a comprehensive overview of Japan’s economic development process, with particular emphasis on tracing the historical context of the Plaza Accord signing and offering an in-depth analysis of the profound impacts this agreement had on both the United States and Japan. Subsequently, Professor Zhao systematically analyzed and projected the current and future challenges facing Japan, drawing from his personal research experience. Professor Edmund Li Sheng noted that Professor Zhao’s excellent presentation helped the audience gain a comprehensive understanding of Japan's economic history and current situation. Professor Yang Luhui also commented that Professor Zhao’s research not only filled gaps in regional and country-specific economic studies but also provided valuable insights for China's economic autonomy strategy choices amid the context of major power rise.

During the interactive session, faculty and students engaged in discussions on various topics, including the impact of Japan's lost three decades on China-Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the influence of Japan's bubble economy on basic public service policies, and the challenges posed by the significant depreciation of the yen during the latest round of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes to Japan's economic recovery. At the conclusion of the lecture, Professor Edmund Li Sheng summarized the session and once again expressed gratitude to Professor Zhao Laixun for his excellent presentation.

This lecture provided a valuable platform for faculty and students to further understand and research topics related to East Asian political economy, China-Japan relations, and U.S.-Japan relations. The School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University remains committed to providing high-quality academic resources for its faculty and students, both domestically and internationally. We encourage continued attention to the school’s updates and the "Cooperation and Development" lecture series organized by the Institute of SCO Studies.