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April 26, 2011

[SSJ: 6638] *REMINDER* A talk by Prof Gregory W. Noble (4/28 Thu) on "Plugging in the future: Multiple policy goals and the rush to promote electric cars"at Shaken Contemporary Japan Group

From: Satsuki Takahashi
Date: 2011/04/26

Dear SSJ Forum members,


The next meeting of Contemporary Japan Group (CJG) at the Institute of Social Science (ISS, or a.k.a. Shaken), University of Tokyo, will be held on Thursday, April 28th, 2011 at 6:30 PM in the Akamon General Research Building (Akamonto).

The meeting is open to everyone. Hope to see you all there!

Title:
Plugging in the future:
Multiple policy goals and the rush to promote electric cars

Speaker: Gregory W. Noble (Professor of politics and public administration at the Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo)


Date/Time: April 28 (Thu), 2011 at 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Room 549
5th floor, Akamon Sogo Kenkyuto, Institute of Social Science, Hongo Campus, University of Tokyo
Map:
http://web.iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp/cjg/contact/

Language: English
RSVP: NOT required
Admission fee: Free

Abstract:
First the Toyota Prius, and now the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, Tesla Roadster and more-suddenly hybrid and electric vehicles are everywhere. Central and local governments offer huge subsidies for purchases of "eco-cars," and proclaim their commitment to turning local producers into global leaders of next generation vehicles. What happened-didn't globalization, liberalization and the spread of neo-liberal ideology relegate industrial policy to the dustbin of history? Have car companies captured governments? Developmentalism and rent seeking provide only partial explanations for the recent rush to promote electric vehicles. Rather, electric cars emerged as an enticing possible solution to multiple policy challenges, including energy security, reduction in pollution and greenhouse gases, technology development, and economic stabilization in the wake of the global financial crisis. Policy responses have not been totally uniform, however: variations in energy dependence and political polarization have created significant differences between North America and East Asia.

Biography:
Gregory W. Noble is professor of politics and public administration at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Social Science. His research focuses on economic policymaking in East Asia, including an ongoing project on the development of the Asian auto industry. Publications include "The Decline of Particularism in Japanese Politics," in Journal of East Asian Studies (2010); "The Evolution of the Policymaking System," in Alisa Gaunder, ed. The Routledge Handbook of Japanese Politics (2011); and "Executioner or Disciplinarian: WTO Accession and the Chinese Auto Industry" (Business and Politics, 2005).

The ISS Contemporary Japan Group provides English-speaking residents of the Tokyo area with an opportunity to hear cutting-edge research in social science and related policy issues, as well as a venue for researchers and professionals in or visiting Tokyo to present and receive knowledgeable feedback on their latest research projects. Admission is free and advance registration is not required. Everyone is welcome!

For more information, please visit our website; http://web.iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp/cjg/ or contact Satsuki Takahashi (tsatsuki@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp).

Approved by ssjmod at 11:38 AM