Lurking in Plain Sight

Joining the Native Angelino Podcast from Kyoto, Japan, Professor Linus Yamane speaks eloquently about the lessons the United States can learn from the Japanese economy.

Heavy government debt levels restrain the ability of policymakers to correct problems even in light of obvious trends.

An aging population, a declining population, increasing wealth disparity and education inequality pressure the social security system.

What policy prescriptions are available to ensure the proper functioning and availability of the system for future generations?

He correctly predicts (1:08 min) the interest rate hike by the Japan’s central bank. The first rise in 17 years and a major policy shift.

The social security system is analyzed at the 17:35 mark.

Update Bloomberg, Weekend Reading, March 23, 2024

It was a big week for central banks, replete with surprises, told-you-so’s and new projections about where monetary policy is headed the world over. The Swiss National Bank, citing progress on inflation, became the first among global peers to cut interest rates…

…the Bank of Japan ended its negative interest rate regime, the world’s last. The radical policymaking tool had been adopted to encourage bank lending, spur demand and stem disinflation.

In the US, the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% as policymakers maintained their projections for three rate cuts this year if inflation continues its retreat. But after a couple of bumps on the path back to 2%, there’s a chance the Fed could drop one of those cuts.

Bio: Professor Yamane is a Professor of Economics at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. He joined the Pitzer faculty in 1988, and is currently on sabbatical (2023-2024).

His research interests include the Japanese Economy, Labor Economics, Econometrics and Macroeconomics. He attended Yale University (MA, MPhil, PhD)and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS).

Additional Episodes

The Proposed Sitzer-Burnett Settlement

Is Compass just Redfin on Steroids?

The Race Between Education and Technology

About The Author And Podcast Host Tom Levine

Tom Levine is an LA native and graduate of USC Marshall School of Business, the Claremont Colleges, and spent a term at the London School of Economics.

Following a 25 year career in capital markets, he founded Zero Hour Group in 2014. The Los Angeles, California-based firm provides consulting, strategic analysis, valuation and real estate services. Serving individuals, family offices, institutions and professional investors.

“We solve complex problems. Have a difficult strategic issue, or a real estate sale that requires fresh ideas? Please .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}