*This seminar will be online and free of charge.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Monday, January 26, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. Alvaro Dominguez, Assistant Professor, AGI

Title

Near Misses and Mitigation: Evidence from Roof Renovations After Hurricane Irma

Abstract

Communities are becoming increasingly exposed to natural disasters due to the ongoing effects of climate change. Although stricter building standards can reduce these risks, they primarily protect new homes or those that are voluntarily renovated—an option many households forgo. This study investigates whether a natural disaster can spur voluntary adoption of the latest building codes through a “near-miss” experience, in which a homeowner narrowly escapes damage while a neighbor does not. Using wind damage and housing data from Lee County, Florida, within a difference-in-differences framework, we find homeowners were 64% more likely to voluntarily renovate their roof, and therefore adopt the latest wind-resistance technology, if a neighboring property experienced wind damage from Hurricane Irma (2017). Analysis of this same data using machine learning also reveals a clear shift in renovation drivers: structural characteristics, especially the home’s age, were most important in determining roof renovations during the pre-hurricane period, while peer adoption became the leading factor afterward, reflecting strong behavioral responses to local damage. Taken together, these findings indicate that homeowners are more inclined to invest in costly protective measures when directly confronted with the realities of a disaster. Policies seeking to promote mitigation technology may be more effective if they more clearly communicate the hazards of a natural disaster.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Alvaro Dominguez is an Assistant Professor at AGI specializing in the Economics of Networks and Environmental Economics. His work explores strategies for accelerating green technology adoption, distribution of pollutants in Japan, and network dynamics in negotiations. He holds a PhD in Economics from Nagoya University.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/VHTenMR9U2EquQ49A

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by one business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Friday, January 23 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

Staff Seminar on January 26 [in PDF format]

How to Participate Online

Title: The tax reform in Vietnam and the international tax cooperation of Vietnam

Abstract:

1. The Vietnamese tax system: Briefly introduction of all taxes in Vietnam such as value added tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax, customs duties, excise duty etc.

2. The tax reform in Vietnam in recent years

• Reform of corporate income tax
• Reform of personal income tax
• Reform of value added tax
• Reform of tax administration

3. The international tax cooperation of Vietnam

• Vietnam’s reactions to Donald Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs
• Overall on Double Tax Treaties between (DTAs) Vietnam and other countries
• Tariff issues in Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between Vietnam and other countries

Language: English presentation and material

Presenter: Prof. Le Xuan Truong, Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Taxation and Customs, Academy of Finance, Vietnam

We regularly hold Staff Seminars for research presentations and information exchanges among AGI Researchers.

*This seminar will be online and free of charge.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Monday, October 27, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled at the end of the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. NGUYEN-Phung Thu Hang, Assistant Professor, AGI

Title

Empowering the Elderly: The Role of Digital Access in Promoting Rights Awareness in Vietnam

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed how individuals access information and interact with institutions, yet older adults often remain excluded from these opportunities. This study examines the role of digital access in fostering rights awareness among older adults in Vietnam, a country undergoing both demographic aging and rapid digital transformation. Using data from the 2011 Vietnam National Aging Survey, we construct a composite index of digital access incorporating television, radio, newspapers, internet, community loudspeakers, and computer ownership. Rights awareness is measured across four domains: health, social protection, legal and policy, and civic participation. To address potential endogeneity, we employ Oster’s (2019) coefficient stability bounds, complemented by propensity score matching, inverse probability weighting, entropy balancing, coarsened exact matching, and double/debiased machine learning. Across all specifications, digital access is consistently associated with greater rights awareness, even under conservative assumptions regarding omitted variable bias. Mediation analysis further reveals that digital access promotes awareness both directly and indirectly, through enhanced civic participation and stronger intergenerational support. Taken together, these findings highlight digital access as a key determinant of informational empowerment, with important implications for digital equity, inclusive governance, and aging policy in Vietnam and other rapidly aging societies.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/X5ZSrWP1XfbTAk7M8

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by one business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Friday, October 24 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

Staff Seminar on October 27 [in PDF format]

How to Participate Online

*This seminar is free of charge and will be held online.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled at the end of the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. LE Xuan Truong, Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Taxation and Customs, Academy of Finance, Vietnam

Title

The tax reform in Vietnam and the international tax cooperation of Vietnam

Abstract

1. The Vietnamese tax system: Briefly introduction of all taxes in Vietnam such as value added tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax, customs duties, excise duty etc.

2. The tax reform in Vietnam in recent years

• Reform of corporate income tax
• Reform of personal income tax
• Reform of value added tax
• Reform of tax administration

3. The international tax cooperation of Vietnam

• Overall on Double Tax Treaties between (DTAs) Vietnam and other countries
• Tariff issues in Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between Vietnam and other countries
• Vietnam’s reactions to Donald Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

– Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Taxation and Customs, Academy of Finance, Vietnam
– Obtained PhD from Academy of Finance (Vietnam) in 2006
– 25 years of teaching in the Academy of Finance, Vietnam
– Awarded the Title “Excellent Teacher” by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
– Published over 100 articles on taxation, customs and public finance
– Published 5 books on issues related to taxation such as International Taxation, Tax Administration, Income taxes, Preventing Tax Fraud in Real Estates Business etc.
– Members of Editor Board of the Annual International Conference named “Sustainable Economic Development and Business Management in the Context of Globalization (SEDBM)” which held by the Academy of Finance in cooperation with other universities since 2018.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/uFuvzcafhenpiAYbA

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by the day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, October 8 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on October 9 [in PDF format]

How to Join Us Online

*This seminar is free of charge and will be held online.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled at the end of the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. Nguyen Thang DAO, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Roehampton, London, UK

Title

The demographic transition and stagnation in countries vulnerable to climate change

Abstract

Climate change, environmental degradation, and high population growth can trap Sub-Saharan Africa in prolonged economic stagnation. We develop a novel theoretical framework showing how climate-induced resource depletion increases women’s time spent collecting essentials like water and firewood, reducing investment in girls’ education. This perpetuates gender inequality in education and income, slowing fertility decline and reinforcing population growth. A larger population further degrades resources, creating a feedback loop of stagnation. Empirical analysis of 44 African countries (1960 – 2017) supports these findings, revealing adverse climate effects on local resources and education gaps. Addressing these interconnected challenges is critical to breaking the stagnation cycle and fostering sustainable development.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

I am a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Economics at the University of Roehampton London. My research focuses on Economic Growth, Demographic Economics, and Environmental & Resource Economics. I study how climate change-induced environmental degradation, gender inequality, and high population growth contribute to long-term economic stagnation in climate-vulnerable countries. I also explore anthropogenic tipping points in coupled human–natural systems, emphasizing how user heterogeneity—especially through the “effort-sorting effect”—intensifies resource depletion as abundance declines. My broader work combines theoretical modeling and empirical analysis to understand development challenges at the intersection of demography, environment, and inequality.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/uJmqvbbq7ZtEA5qN7

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by the day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Monday, July 14 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on July 15 [in PDF format]

How to Join Us Online

Title: Why Do Europeans Save? (co-authored with Luigi Ventura)

Abstract: We analyze the saving motives of European households using micro-data from the Household Finance and Consumption Survey, which is conducted by the European Central Bank. We find that the precautionary motive is the most important saving motive of European households when the proportion of households saving for each motive is used as the criterion to rank them but that the retirement motive is the most important saving motive of European households if the quantitative importance of each motive is taken into account. Moreover, the generosity of social safety nets seems to affect the importance of individual saving motives.

Language: English presentation and material

Presenter: Prof. Charles Yuji Horioka, Distinguished Professor, Asian Growth Research Institute; and Project Professor, Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration, Kobe University

Title: Understanding Korea’s Ultra-Low Birth Rate: A Structural Analysis of Marriage, Women’s Education, and Economic Growth

Abstract: Over the past half-century, the Republic of Korea has experienced steep declines in fertility and marriage rates, accompanied by rising incomes, higher levels of women’s education, increased female labour force participation and mounting work–life balance pressures. This study examines these concurrent trends using microdata analysis and a structural macroeconomic model. Survival model estimates from longitudinal data (1998–2022) reveal that higher women’s college attainment and rising housing costs reduce the likelihood of marriage, while increased women’s labour force participation and rising child education costs also lower the probability of having a child. Additionally, higher income and homeownership enhances the likelihood of both marriage and childbirth. Building on these findings, this study develops an overlapping generations model incorporating endogenous family formation and women’s time allocation, within the context of gender inequality in households and labour markets. Simulation results suggest that policies aimed at reducing child-rearing and education costs, while promoting gender equality at home and in labour markets could increase the fertility rate from the current 0.72 to as high as 1.18. The simulation results further reveal that, over the past 30 years, along with changes in women’s education, income and labour market participation, rising costs of child-rearing, child education and marriage have significantly contributed to the decline in marriage and fertility rates.

Language: English presentation and material

Presenter: Prof. Jong-Wha Lee, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Korea University, Korea 

*This seminar is free of charge and will be held online.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled at the end of the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. Eric D. Ramstetter, Visiting Professor, Asian Growth Research Institute; and Visiting Professor, Thammasat University, Thailand

Title

The Unsustainable Costs of Tariff Idiocy in Large Economic Bullies and ASEAN

Abstract

This essay in political economy will seek to clarify many important points about the dramatic increase in U.S. protectionism in early 2025 and China’s extreme, protectionist response from the viewpoint of other Asian economies that depend heavily on both of these economic partners. The central thesis is that prohibitive tariffs on bilateral trade that were announced by both countries in early April 2025 are not sustainable because of the large economic costs they impose. Like the Japanese response to U.S. protectionism in the 1930s, a violent response from China seems increasingly likely, probably much sooner than many observers seem to expect. Chinese military belligerence toward Taiwan and ASEAN seriously aggravates the situation. The other side of the coin is that there are huge benefits for both China and the USA, and the rest of Asia, if a peaceful climb-down to lower protection can be negotiated. Presently (on 11 April 2025), the probability of a beneficial reduction in protection seems very low because leaders in China and the USA believe in economic idiocy, creating immense danger for all Asian economies.

1. The Problem
2. History and Facts
2a. U.S. Instigation of the Current Crisis under Trump2
2b. The Legacy of U.S. Protectionism in Asia
2c. The Legacy of Chinese Protectionism
2d. Chinese Territorial Belligerence Toward Taiwan and ASEAN
3. The Persuasive Economic Case for Lower Protection Everywhere
3a. Benefits for the USA
3b. Benefits for China
3c. Benefits for All Importers
4. Conclusion: How can anyone be so stupid to believe tariffs help importers in 2025?

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Prof. Eric D. Ramstetter is Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Thammast University, Bangkok and Professor Emeritus/Visiting Professor at the Asian Growth Research Institute (AGI), Kitakyushu. Previously, he worked over 20 years in AGI and for over 9 years in Kansai University. His research and teaching focuses mainly on international economics, particularly multinational enterprises, economic development, and industrial organization.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/AAaSMwMeCeJgb9np6

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by the day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, June 4 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on June 5 [in PDF format]

*This seminar will be online and free of charge.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled at the end of the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. Xue PENG, Assistant Professor, AGI

Title

The Impact of Foreign-born Care Worker Share on Regional Elderly Mortality Rate: Seven Years After Japan Introduced the Nursing Care Visa

Abstract

Japan faces a critical shortage of care workers due to its rapidly aging population. To address this gap, the country has increasingly relied on foreign-born Certified Care Workers (CCWs) following the introduction of the Nursing Care visa in 2017. However, the impact of this policy on elderly health outcomes remains unclear. This study examines whether the share of foreign-born CCWs affects regional elderly mortality rates in Japan. Using prefecture-level panel data from 2017 to 2023 and fixed-effects models, we do not find significant association between the proportion of foreign-born CCWs and mortality rates among those aged 85 and above. This result may reflect either the current number of foreign-born workers remains too limited to influence the elderly health outcomes, or that their quality of care is comparable to that of native workers. Either way, the finding supports the continued use of immigration policies to address Japan’s care workforce shortage. This study contributes new empirical evidence from an Asian context, where research on this issue is still emerging.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Researcher Biography

Dr. Peng obtained a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Peking University and a doctoral degree from the Graduate School of Social System Studies at the University of Kitakyushu. She has 11 years of practical experience in urban planning in China. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor at the Asia Growth Research Institute and a Visiting Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Economics, Kyushu University. Her research focuses on international and domestic population mobility, tourism, urban and regional development, and urban planning, utilizing spatial and econometric analysis methods. She has published papers in international academic journals such as Humanities and Social Sciences Communications and Economic Analysis and Policy.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/h4hSbAJiqG28CXrJ9

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number clearly stated.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by the day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, May 28 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

Staff Seminar on May 29 [in PDF format]

How to Participate Online

We invite researchers who are engaged in research on Asia and hold AGI Seminars. Your participation is more than welcome!

*This seminar is free of charge and will be held online.

*Please refer to the following for details.

**Prof. Charles Yuji Horioka, our Board member and Distinguished Professor, assumed the office of President of the International Association for Research in Income and Wealth (IARIW) on August 28, 2024. IARIW is a 77-year-old international association, and its first 2 presidents were both Nobel Prize winners, the first being Simon Kuznets and the second being Richard Stone. Prof. Horioka is the first person from an Asian country to assume the position of President of the Association. 

Date and Time

Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled at the end of the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. Charles Yuji Horioka, Distinguished Professor, Asian Growth Research Institute; and Research Professor, Center for Computational Social Science, Kobe University

Title

Why Do Europeans Save? (co-authored with Luigi Ventura)

Abstract

We analyze the saving motives of European households using micro-data from the Household Finance and Consumption Survey, which is conducted by the European Central Bank. We find that the precautionary motive is the most important saving motive of European households when the proportion of households saving for each motive is used as the criterion to rank them but that the retirement motive is the most important saving motive of European households if the quantitative importance of each motive is taken into account. Moreover, the generosity of social safety nets seems to affect the importance of individual saving motives.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, in 1956. B.A. and Ph.D. degrees, Harvard University. Distinguished Professor, Asian Growth Research Institute; Research Professor, Kobe University; and Invited Professor, Osaka University. President, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth and Previous President, Japanese Economic Association.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/hEhchuZxzvH7AmEXA

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by the day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, May 14 at 12:00 pm

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on May 15 [in PDF format]

How to Join Us Online