Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming seminar, from Rendez-vous on economics IFRJ seminar cycle:

Title: Adjusting to a Slow-Moving Crisis: Ageing and Public Policies in Japan 

Speaker: Brieuc Monfort (Associate Professor, Sophia University, Tokyo) 

Date & Time: Monday, February 16, 2026, 18:00-19:30 (JST) 

Location IFRJ-MFJ: Room 601 & Online 

Language: English (no translation)

Abstract: Over the past half-century, Japan has transitioned from an aging society to an ultra-aged society, with the share of the population above 65 rising from 7% to 28% between 1970 and 2018. This demographic shift has unfolded at a pace nearly four times faster than in France, prompting Japan to pioneer policies in pension, health insurance, long-term care, and labor-market reforms. Today, Japan accounts for a significant portion of the world's elderly population, offering valuable lessons for other advanced economies facing similar challenges.

This seminar will explore Japan's experience in public policy and its relevance for countries on a comparable demographic trajectory.

Speaker Bio: Brieuc Monfort is an Associate Professor at Sophia University in Tokyo and a Research Fellow at the European Institute of Sophia University. His research focuses on economic policy, macroeconomics, and the economics of ageing, with a particular interest in comparative economic policy between Europe and Japan.

Moderator: Malo Mofakhami (Sorbonne Paris Nord University, IFRJ-MFJ, CNRS)

Organization: IFRJ-MFJ - Institut français de recherche sur le Japon à la Maison franco-japonaise
3-9-25, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0013 Japon

Partner: Economic Department, Embassy of France in Japan

Registration: Free, but mandatory. Please register here (link to be provided).

We look forward to your participation and a stimulating discussion.

Best regards,

Malo Mofakhami

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Malo MOFAKHAMI

Chercheur CNRS (en délégation) à l'Institut français de recherche sur le Japon - IFRJ (https://www.mfj.gr.jp/)

CNRS researcher at the French Research Institute on Japan - IFRJ

Associate Professor in economics

University Sorbonne Paris North (https://www.univ-spn.fr/)

 

Bureau 603

3-9-25, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, 

Tokyo, 150-0013, Japon