From Kitakyushu to the world: AGI, a research institute that studies Asia's economy and society
Research Division
RESEARCH GROUPⅢ
Urban Policies for Revitalization of Kitakyushu
This group conducts research on the revitalization of Kitakyushu City, focusing on the construction of transportation infrastructure, environmental businesses, and sustainable urban development. To this end, the group refers to successful examples of urban and regional revitalization both domestically and internationally, and puts forward policy proposals based on research findings.
| Director of Research Division / Group Leader | DAI Erbiao |
|---|---|
| Member | KOMATSU Sho |
| PENG Xue (Concurrent Position) |
Research Projects for FY2026
The Impact of Changes in Japan’s Immigration Policy on the Labor Market: An Empirical Analysis by Industry and Region
Staff:DAI Erbiao
Professor, Director of Research Division
Japan has been experiencing rapid population aging and population decline, with depopulation in regional areas becoming a particularly serious issue. Since around 2012, the government has actively promoted policies to accept foreign human resources as part of its measures to address population decline. As a result, the number of foreign-born residents in Japan has increased significantly. However, systematic research on the economic and social impacts of the growing foreign population on Japanese society remains limited, and policy discussions based on solid empirical evidence have not yet been sufficiently developed.
This study (with a research period of two years) will employ a variety of statistical sources—including the Population Census, statistics on foreign residents, the Basic Resident Register, the Survey on the Employment of Foreign Workers conducted by the 厚生労働省（MHLW）, and survey data collected by local governments to conduct quantitative analyses of the following issues.:
1. The impact of recent changes in immigration policy on Japan’s demographic dynamics and population structure.
2. The impact of recent changes in immigration policy on Japan’s labor markets by industry.
3. The impact of recent changes in immigration policy on Japan’s labor markets by region.
The Impact of AI Utilization on Business Values and Work–Life Balance
Staff:KOMATSU Sho
Assistant Professor
This study has two main objectives. First, using cross-sectional survey data on employed individuals across Japan, this study examines the characteristics of individuals who hold positive attitudes toward the adoption of AI in the workplace, as well as the effects of firm-level AI adoption on individuals’ jobs, as measured by perceived job impact. Second, using household panel survey data on men and women across Japan, it analyzes the effects of AI-enabled home appliances on work–life balance.
By investigating the perceived effects of AI adoption on individuals’ jobs, along with behavioral indicators such as teleworking frequency, average weekly working hours, overtime hours, and time spent on housework and childcare, this study seeks to clarify how the utilization of AI influences individuals’ work-related values and their work–life balance.