PROFESSIONAL LUNCHEON
Aya Abe,
Senior Researcher,
Dept. of International Research and Cooperation,
National Institute of Population and Social Security Research

The speech will be in English

Anatomy of Japan's Poverty

For most Japanese, poverty has been a remote issue of developing countries far away. But today poverty is creeping within the economic power of Asia. As the recession lingers, many workers are finding themselves without jobs in a tight job market while others suffer low wages. Today as many as 15% of Japanese children are in relative poverty and facing unprecedented difficulties.

The situation for children continues to worsen in scale and depth, according to Dr. Aya Abe, a veteran researcher specializing in poverty and inequality issues with an emphasis on children. Currently a senior researcher at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (NIPSSR), she has been one of the leading advisers to policy makers.

Educated at MIT and Tufts University, she will discuss at the luncheon how and why the poverty is spreading in Japan, how crucially it affects children and how this is changing Japan.

Menu
Sandwich: Poached salmon, cucumber, tomato, dill mayonnaise, romaine lettuce capers on campagne
Hot Plate: spiced slow cooked lamb shoulder with raisin couscous, eggplant, zucchini, pearl onions & sauce

Aya Abe, National Institute of Population and Social Security Research