IHJ Roundtable
IHJ Policy Roundtable 2026
[Event Report] The Four Talent Giants — IHJ Policy Roundtable with Professor Gi-Wook Shin
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The International House of Japan (IHJ) convened an IHJ Policy Roundtable on April 14, 2026, with Professor Gi-Wook Shin, William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea at Stanford University and founding director of the Korea Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC).
Professor Shin presented key arguments from his recent book, The Four Talent Giants, examining how talent cultivation has shaped economic development across the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted Japan’s postwar transformation through investments in education, technological innovation, and skilled human capital, noting its influence as a model for regional growth.
The discussion also addressed China’s rise, India’s emergence as a major economic power, and Australia’s economic resilience. Across these cases, Professor Shin underscored the importance of attracting and utilizing talent amid demographic decline, brain drain, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Participants further explored the implications of intensifying global competition for talent, particularly for Japan as it confronts an aging society. The roundtable offered timely insights into policy approaches linking talent strategies with long-term economic competitiveness.
IHJ extends its sincere appreciation to Professor Gi-Wook Shin for a stimulating and forward-looking discussion.
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