PROFESSIONAL LUNCHEON
Dominic Barton, Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Company
Kenshi Hirokane, Creator, "Shima Kosaku" Manga series
Waichi Sekiguchi, Senior Editor, Columnist, Nihon Keizai Shimbun
Hitoshi Tanaka, Former Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs

The speeches and Q&A will be in English and Japanese with English interpretation

"Reimagining Japan: The Challenge Ahead” Panel Discussion

As it struggles to recover from the disasters of March 11, Japan confronts daunting short and long-term challenges. While the immediate focus is rebuilding the Tohoku region and assuring the safety of the nation's nuclear facilities, broader problems loom. Among them: an aging populace, a shrinking labor force, mounting public indebtedness, weak economic growth, an ossified education system, a gridlocked political system and a rising China. What can this society do to get its groove back?

McKinsey & Company, the global consultancy, put that question to 80 leaders -- CEOs, investors, academics, journalists and prominent figures from the world of foreign affairs, sports and culture. Their answers -- inspiring, thought-provoking and sometimes contradictory -- are featured in "Reimagining Japan, " a collection of essays on Japan's future published by Shogakukan in July.

Barton, Hirokane, Sekiguchi and Tanaka each contributed to the book from their various perspectives as a consultant, manga author, media columnist and former diplomat. Please join us for what promises to be a wide-ranging and stimulating discussion on Japan's future.

Menu: sauteed salmon with tomato salsa, carrots and green vegetables

Dominic Barton, Global Managing Director

Kenshi Hirokane, Creator, "Shima Kosaku" Manga series

Waichi Sekiguchi, Senior Editor, Nihon Keizai Shimbun & Hitoshi Tanaka, Former Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affai