March 2nd 2026
The 34th International Financial Symposium
"Globalization at a Critical Juncture: Navigating the World Economy through Division"
On Monday, March 2, we held the 34th International Financial Symposium, titled “Globalization at a Critical Juncture: Navigating the World Economy through Division.”
Today, globalization is at a critical juncture. The spread of nationalism and rising geopolitical tensions have weakened international cooperation, while the international order long shaped by advanced economies is being reassessed as emerging economies gain influence. At the same time, divisions within many countries are deepening. Against this backdrop, we invited experts from Japan and abroad to discuss how the international community can overcome both global and domestic fragmentation and promote cooperation and sustainable development.
In their presentations, the panelists addressed a wide range of topics, including the outlook for U.S. tariff policy and its impact on the global economy, the structural causes of trade imbalances, Europe’s efforts to strengthen competitiveness and industrial policy, the structural transformation of China’s economy, ASEAN’s growth and regional integration, and challenges facing Japan such as population decline, resource constraints, and geopolitical uncertainty.
During the panel discussion, panelists engaged in lively debate on issues such as the sustainability and impact of tariff policies, the costs and benefits of supply chain restructuring, the evolving shape of globalization, and the future of the international financial system centered on the U.S. dollar. The discussion highlighted that globalization is not simply retreating; rather, while supply chains are being reorganized with greater diversification and attention to security concerns, cross-border cooperation continues to expand in areas such as services and digital sectors.
| Date and Time |
March 2nd, 2026 (Monday), 15:00 - 17:30 (JST) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Keidanren Kaikan 2F, International Conference Hall |
| Progress | Lecture and Panel Discussion |
| Language |
English (Simultaneous translation to Japanese) |
| Video | Click Here |
| Sponsor: | |
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This symposium is kindly supported by CEIC Data. |
Panelists (in alphabetical order)
Mark Bowman Presentation Slides
Vice President for Policy and Partnerships, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Mark Bowman is EBRD's Vice President for Policy and Partnerships, overseeing EBRD’s policy engagements, impact and results architecture, donor and other institutional partnerships since 2021. Prior to the EBRD, Mr Bowman was Director General International Finance at the UK Treasury, with oversight of international and European Union (EU) policy. Until 2019 Mr Bowman was the UK representative on the EU’s Economic and Financial Committee and chaired the sub-committee on IMF issues. He was also a member of the Treasury’s Executive Management Board. Mr Bowman started his career as an Overseas Development Institute Fellow and joined the UK Treasury in 1995.
Bambang Brodjonegoro Presentation Slides
Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
Bambang Brodjonegoro is Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute. Before joining ADBI in April 2025, he served as Special Advisor to the President of Indonesia for Economic Affairs and National Development. He previously held senior government roles, including Minister of Finance (2014–2016), Minister of National Development Planning (2016–2019), and Minister of Research and Technology (2019–2021). He holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Indonesia, where he was Professor and Dean (2005–2009).
Wenhua Li Presentation Slides
Deputy Director (CMIM, Strategy and Coordination), ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO)
Wenhua Li currently serves as Deputy Director in ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). With more than 20 years of experience in international economic and financial cooperation—including a decade in managerial positions in the Chinese Ministry of Finance as well as AMRO—Mr. Li has a strong track record in strategic planning, policy formulation, and team leadership. He has also accumulated deep understanding of China’s economic growth and macroeconomic policy. Mr. Li holds a Master of Public Administration from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Economics from Peking University, China.
Atsushi Mimura
Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Japan
Atsushi Mimura, assumed his current position in July 2024. Since he joined the ministry in 1989, he has held many senior positions, including Director-General of the International Bureau (2021-2024), Deputy Director-General of the International Bureau (2020-2021). He also has extensive experience in financial sector regulation and supervision, including Financial Services Agency of Japan (2004-2007, 2010-2014) and Financial Stability Board (2007-2010). He received his L.L.B. from the University of Tokyo (1989) and Diploma of International Public Administration from Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) of France (1993).
Nathan Sheets, Ph.D. Presentation Slides
Global Chief Economist, Citi Research
Nathan Sheets, Ph.D., is Global Chief Economist at Citi Research. He was Chief Economist and a member of the senior investment team at PGIM Fixed Income. Also served as Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for International Affairs, representing the U.S. government on international economic issues. Previously, he held positions with Citigroup, as Global Head of International Economics, and with the Federal Reserve Board, as Director of the Division of International Finance and FOMC Economist. In addition, he was a senior advisor to the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund and a visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. He joined Citi in October 2021.
Moderator
Masatsugu Asakawa
President, Institute for International Monetary Affairs (IIMA)
Masatsugu Asakawa joined the Ministry of Finance, Japan (MOF) in 1981. At MOF, before being appointed as Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs (2015-19), he held several senior positions, including Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister (2008-09), Deputy Vice Minister for Policy Planning and Coordination, and Director-General of the International Bureau. He also held senior roles at the IMF and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Additionally, he served as Chair of the Committee on Fiscal Affairs, OECD (2011-16), and as the President of ADB (2020-25). Since July 2025, he has been the President of the Institute for International Monetary Affairs (IIMA). He earned a BA from the University of Tokyo in 1981 and an MPA from Princeton University in 1985.