Course Title
Japan’s Today and the World’s Tomorrow: Navigating Innovation in the “Silver Economy”
Professor
Kirsten Detrick, Adjunct Professor of Business Administration
Date
December 2024
Destination Cities
Tokyo and Osaka or Kyoto
Course Description
This course explores the intersection of Japan's rich tradition of business principles with the quest for innovative responses to the challenges of an aging population. We will explore how Japanese business and industry is addressing these challenges, across a variety of industry sectors. Students will analyze the economic impact of these demographic shifts, spotlighting the inventive approaches being pursued by Fortune 500 corporations headquartered in Japan, as well as entrepreneurial start-ups located in that country. By examining these trends and the businesses dedicated to addressing them, we will foster a deeper understanding of society’s attitudes toward aging, explore business opportunities that these demographic shifts create, and evaluate how these lessons may apply outside the context of the Japanese business environment. Integral to the experience are company visits, cultural immersion, and interactions with local business leaders. Additionally, participants engage in forward-thinking discussions about the potential implications of Japan's aging population on its economy and society over the next 25 years, while assessing how other countries and regions will be forced to eventually address these same demographic changes and challenges.