Words from Winners of JFTC Essay Competition 2017
I am quite honoured to be one of the recipients of the Prize for Excellence this year. I would like to thank the Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc. (JFTC) for this award and for granting me this amazing opportunity to visit Japan. I am also grateful to the selection committee for the hard work that went into providing feedback on my essay.
Furthermore, I would like to thank the JFTC for allowing me to participate in the worldwide debate on free trade particularly as it relates to my contribution to an improved global trading system. Such proposals have become even more important given the current populist backlash against globalisation which may “portend the end of Pax Americana” as articulated by renowned economist Nouriel Roubini. This may indeed be the case if a more inclusive international trading system, that is in the interest of all parties involved, is not found soon.
Thank you again!
What made me apply for JFTC Essay Competition
I decided to enter the JFTC essay competition this year because I thought it would be a great opportunity to express my thoughts and ideas on one of the most contentious political and economic issues of our time - free trade. It also gave me the unique chance to prepare a proposal on a better global trading system that would benefit all parties involved amid the mounting populist backlash against globalisation. I really like the fact that I was able to contribute to this international debate on a global scale while competing with my peers around the world. Moreover, it allowed me to learn more about free trade as I engaged in research for this particular topic.
Ms. Anna Lee Ali (Trinidad and Tobago)
I am delighted and deeply honored that my essay has been selected for the Price for Excellence in this highly competitive essay competition with over 260 submissions. I am all the more honored as I have seen the high quality of the winning essays in the previous rounds, where the authors of all age groups and from across the globe have shown an intimate knowledge of Japan and its economy and had drawn up convincing and innovative solutions to the respective subjects. I have already learned a lot from reading those essays. This shows the strong merits of the essay competition and I truly hope that JFTC will continue to host the competition.
I am also grateful for the opportunity to travel to Tokyo and to meet leaders of the Japanese industry at the New Year's Reception, to visit member companies of the JFTC and JFTC itself. This will help me to get a glimpse of the Japanese perspective on current issues, how the domestic companies operate and how they maintain their competitive advantage in the global markets. On a more personal note, I am also grateful for this opportunity, as I was actually born in Tokyo, in Shinjuku to be precise, 28 years ago. But after two wonderful years at the kindergarden, the hoiku-en of Sanban-cho in Chiyoda-ku, unfortunately I had to leave this wonderful country. So I am glad to be back.
What made me apply for JFTC Essay Competition
I saw the essay as an opportunity to describe the Japan-EU FTA as a practical example on how to move forward in the trade policy arena under the current difficult circumstances. I felt that examining the reasons for the breakthrough and of highlighting the positive steps that have been taken by both sides could also serve as a humble encouragement for engaging in further negotiations. So, I was very relieved that on the day that I received the official notification over winning the price, that the JEFTA agreement was finalized. It can now indeed serve as an example, if the partnership agreement will be approved by the European and Japanese Parliament and EU Member States.
It seems that the enthusiasm over the successful negotiations and finalization has renewed the determination of the Japanese and European negotiators to conclude further meaningful agreements. Now it can be hoped that their agreements will mobilize other nations to also reengage with improving the global trade regime.
I am especially happy that such an important agreement has been reached between Europe and Japan. As established and mature economies, they share similar strengths but also certain challenges. Both economies would thus benefit from increased bilateral cooperation either on the global stage (e.g. in furthering the multilateral trade agenda) as many of their preferences are aligned and they would stand to benefit from an increased exchange of thoughts and practices on how they are dealing with similar challenges. By reducing the irritations from trade frictions and by stimulating the exchange of goods and services, the agreement will certainly contribute to fostering the partnership between Europe and Japan and to allow for more cooperation.
Dr. Jan-Ulrich Rothacher (Germany)
この度は、優秀賞という非常に名誉な賞を賜り、身に余る光栄に存じます。私は、幸運にも仕事を通じて経済、農業、通商政策の専門家の方々や日本政府関係者の方々からお話を伺う機会に恵まれており、門前の小僧として自分なりに学び考えたことを論文にまとめてみたいと思い挑戦させていただきました。未だに日本は、様々な分野において守りに徹しており、自らの成長を妨げているように見受けられます。人口が減少する日本において守りだけで乗り切ることができないことは明白です。岩盤規制で保護されている分野にあっても攻めの姿勢を貫く先駆者に対して支援をおこない、商社が自由貿易のネットワークを活かしてグローバルバリューチェーンの構築を積極的に推進すれば、日本経済はこれからも成長し続けることができるでしょう。2017年は、日本貿易会創立70周年という節目の年であり、日本が日欧EPAやTPP11など自由貿易推進においてかつてないほどリーダーシップを発揮した年でもあります。記念すべき年に受賞できましたことを機に今後も一層精進を重ねていく所存です。
What made me apply for JFTC Essay Competition
日本貿易会の月報に何気なく目を通していた時に本懸賞論文コンテストについて知り、それ以来、自分自身に課した夏休みの宿題として過去数年間挑戦して参りました。三人の子供達と一緒に宿題の追い込みをするのが近年我が家の夏の終わりの風物詩でした。国際的なコンテストですので英語で論文を執筆しようかと迷いましたが、時間的な制約から日本語で執筆しました。もう一度挑戦できるとしたら英語の論文で挑戦してみたいと思います。今回は、日本が自由貿易のメリットを活かし成長するための方策をできる限り多く盛り込んだ論文に仕上げました。具体的な処方箋を提案できたことを審査委員の方々に評価をしていただいたことは、本当に大きな励みになりました。講評でご指摘いただいた点を踏まえ、さらに広い視点で体系的に議論を展開できるよう一層努力を重ねて参りたいと思います。国籍、年齢の隔てなく挑戦するチャンスを下さいました日本貿易会の皆様に厚く御礼申し上げます。
Ms. Sachiko Stone (Japan)
I feel both exhilarated and satisfied on being recognized for my essay. It took shape after weeks of sincere efforts. Economics as a subject has always fascinated me. I also like to keep track of economic and financial developments. As a lawyer, it is interesting to observe how economics, politics and diplomacy work at the global level such that they dictate policies at the national level. In this regard, writing my essay and indeed, reading the other prize-winning essays has been an enriching experience.
Japanese culture and work ethic are greatly admired in India. We regard the Land of the Rising Sun as an example to be emulated. To be invited here to receive a prize is a great honour for me. It is also interesting to note that the roles have reversed in modern times: my mother has asked me to bring back a Japanese doll for her when I return.
What made me apply for JFTC Essay Competition
Being the second most populous nation in the world, my country is heavily reliant on foreign imports and investment to sustain its large population. In September, 2017, India entered into a partnership with Japan for financial and technological assistance for a bullet train project in India. At the same time, both countries are locked in dispute at the World Trade Organisation regarding safeguard duties on iron and steel products. This dichotomy exists between many other countries. Clearly, there is more at work than just smart business. But, what was it?
My essay took shape as I set out to investigate the above question. JFTC gave me a platform to consolidate my thoughts and present them to an illustrious panel of judges, who are experts in this field. It was only fitting that I send my essay to the Japan Foreign Trade Council as it was the case of Japan and India that got me thinking.
Ms.Surabhi Chaturvedi (India)
