* This online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

Friday, September 11, 2026 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (JST)
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

Hang Thu Nguyen-Phung, Assistant Professor, AGI

Title

Bridging the Gap: Information Access and Well-being among Older Adults in Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines the association between information access and well-being among older adults in Vietnam. Using nationally representative data from the 2011 Vietnam National Aging Survey, we analyze multiple well-being outcomes, including life satisfaction, happiness, depressive feelings, sleep difficulties, poor appetite, and loneliness. Information access is broadly defined to include both digital and traditional media channels. To address potential selection bias, we apply Oster’s (2019) coefficient stability approach, along with additional sensitivity analyses. The results show that information access is consistently associated with better well-being outcomes, even under conservative assumptions regarding omitted variable bias. These findings highlight information access as an important non-medical determinant of mental well-being in later life.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Hang Nguyen is a Researcher at the Asian Growth Research Institute (AGI), Japan. Her research interests include labor economics, development economics, and applied microeconometrics, with a particular focus on well-being, education, gender, and socioeconomic issues in developing countries, especially Vietnam.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/aPzRXom72fdqu9uF9

2. E-mail Registration
Please send an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Thursday, September 10 at 1:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

Staff Seminar on September 11 [PDF format]

How to Participate Online

* This online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (JST)
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

Takahiko Kiso, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor), Department of Economics, Business School, University of Aberdeen, UK 

Title

Optimal Subsidy Targeting with Pigouvian, Ramsey, and Equity Objectives

Abstract

This paper develops a normative framework for designing corrective subsidy programs in a second-best setting in which policymakers pursue externality correction under a program budget constraint while also considering equitable redistribution, and in which subsidy eligibility and levels may vary across recipient classes defined by observable, difficult-to-manipulate characteristics, such as income. We characterize optimal targeting at both the extensive and intensive margins and decompose the subsidy for each eligible class into three components—Pigouvian (externality correction), Ramsey (cost-effectiveness), and equity—whose relative importance is governed by the shadow value of the program budget. We show how the optimal design varies with class-specific subsidy responsiveness, policymakers’ distributional preferences, positive externalities, program budget size, and production costs. The core decomposition carries over to an extension featuring product differentiation and imperfect competition. 

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Takahiko Kiso is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Economics at the University of Aberdeen Business School. His primary research interests are in environmental, energy, and public economics. He holds a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park; an MSc in Applied Mathematics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and both an MA and a BA in Economics from the University of Tokyo. His research has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals, such as The Economic Journal and the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.

Discussant

Shinsuke Uchida
Professor, Faculty of Policy Studies, Doshisha University; and Visiting Professor, AGI

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/C63pGEWS6fcdhSci7

2. E-mail Registration
Please send an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Monday, August 24 at 1:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on August 25 [PDF format]

How to Participate Online

Title: Heterogeneous Effects of Growth Mindset Interventions in Middle Schools (with Hiroki Takehashi, Keita Suzuki)

Presenter: Ryuichi Tanaka, Professor, Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo; and Visiting Professor, AGI

Abstract:

This paper studies a randomized field intervention designed to promote a growth mindset among seventh-grade students in middle schools in a large Japanese city. In collaboration with the local education board, four middle schools were selected and stratified by initial academic performance; one school in each stratum was randomly assigned to a growth-mindset lesson, while the comparison schools received a one-hour lesson on self-strength. Student attitudes were measured before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and approximately one month later. The preliminary estimates indicate that the one-hour lesson increased growth-mindset-related attitudes in the short run, with the clearest effect on learning-objective orientation. The effects are concentrated in initially lower-performing schools and are not clearly observed one month after the intervention. Descriptive panel analyses further show that growth mindset and related response measures are positively associated with a wide range of student behaviors. The findings suggest that brief school-based lessons may shift students’ learning-related beliefs and their behaviors positively in the short run.

Language: English presentation and material

* This online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

Friday, July 17, 2026 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (JST)
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

Xue Peng, Associate Professor, AGI

Title

Spatial Distribution Patterns of AI Patents in Japan and Their Determinants

Abstract

Technological innovation has become increasingly important for regional competitiveness. Regions that successfully foster emerging technologies may share certain common attributes that support innovation activities. Among emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key driver of regional economic transformation and productivity growth. Using Japan as the study area, this study aims to examine the spatial distribution of AI technology across Japanese prefectures and to identify the factors shaping its regional concentration. This study draws on data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and focuses on granted patents owned by Japanese. We calculate the annual number of granted AI patents for each Japanese prefecture and construct a prefecture-level panel dataset for empirical analysis. The findings may provide useful insights for city policymakers and local governments seeking to foster AI innovation and regional technological development.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Dr. Peng obtained her bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Peking University and her 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 Associate Professor at the Asian Growth Research Institute. 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 in leading international journals, including Humanities and Social Sciences Communications and Economic Analysis and Policy.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/cFeHWkBLWmyhu7Ve9

2. E-mail Registration
Please send an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Thursday, July 16 at 1:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

Staff Seminar on July 17 [PDF format]

How to Participate Online

* This online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

Friday, July 10, 2026 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (JST)
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

Ryuichi Tanaka, Professor, Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo; and Visiting Professor, AGI

Title

Heterogeneous Effects of Growth Mindset Interventions in Middle Schools (with Hiroki Takehashi, Keita Suzuki)

Abstract

This paper studies a randomized field intervention designed to promote a growth mindset among seventh-grade students in middle schools in a large Japanese city. In collaboration with the local education board, four middle schools were selected and stratified by initial academic performance; one school in each stratum was randomly assigned to a growth-mindset lesson, while the comparison schools received a one-hour lesson on self-strength. Student attitudes were measured before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and approximately one month later. The preliminary estimates indicate that the one-hour lesson increased growth-mindset-related attitudes in the short run, with the clearest effect on learning-objective orientation. The effects are concentrated in initially lower-performing schools and are not clearly observed one month after the intervention. Descriptive panel analyses further show that growth mindset and related response measures are positively associated with a wide range of student behaviors. The findings suggest that brief school-based lessons may shift students’ learning-related beliefs and their behaviors positively in the short run.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Prof. Ryuichi Tanaka is a professor at the Institute of Social Science at The University of Tokyo. His fields of expertise span labor economics, the economics of education, and applied econometrics. He obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from New York University, after graduating from The University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Economics and completing its master’s program. He previously taught at The University of Osaka and the Institute of Science Tokyo prior to joining the Institute of Social Science as a professor in 2017.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/q3GPFjxyF9UyhMpH9

2. E-mail Registration
Please send an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Thursday, July 9 at 1:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on July 10 [PDF format]

How to Participate Online

* This online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (JST)
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

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 an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Friday, January 23 at 12:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

Staff Seminar on January 26 [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

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 online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

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

Presenter

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

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 an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, October 8 at 12:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on October 9 [PDF format]

How to Join Us Online

* This online seminar is free to attend, and the details are as follows:

Date and Time

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

Presenter

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 an e-mail to 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 business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Monday, July 14 at 12:00 pm (JST)

Leaflet

AGI Seminar on July 15 [PDF format]

How to Join Us Online