• IIAS - Who We Are and What We Do

Core Program

The Necessity and Measures of Building a Circular, Steady-state Economic Society

Research Representative: Takamitsu SAWA
Vice Director, International Institute for Advanced Studies
Distinguished Professor, Shiga University. Professor emeritus, Kyoto University

In consideration of limited earth, a pressing issue facing humanity, it is obvious that the relentless pursuit of wealth through modern capitalism will lead, if unchanged, to the depletion of global resources, an increased wealth gap, and the swift extinction of the human race. As such, it is necessary for us to go beyond our concept of progress and development, build a stable, recycling economy and a sustainable society, reduce the wealth gap as far as possible, and create a society that guarantees a cultural lifestyle.
This working group will paint the picture of such society and discuss what needs to be done to make a smooth transition into it. As such, it is necessary for this working group to make clear the definition of resource circulation and specific details of what it involves. The working group must also develop a formula for calculating the levels of circulation or circulation rate, apply it to each country, society, and field. For the societies and areas with a low level of circulation, the group will identify the causes and explore ways to eliminate them. To this end, it is necessary to create social and political frameworks, regulations, and science and technology at the international level, so the group will discuss this from policy perspectives.

MembersAs of Apr 01, 2017

Takamitsu SAWA Vice Director, International Institute for Advanced Studies
Distinguished Professor, Shiga University. Professor emeritus, Kyoto University
Seiji IKKATAI Professor , Musashino University
Hirokazu KATO Professor, Nagoya University
Satoshi KONISHI Professor, Kyoto University
Hidefumi KURASAKA Professor, Chiba University
Fumio SASAKI Minimalist, Writer, Editor
Yukari TAKAMURA Professor, Nagoya University