APIR’s “Kansai and the Asia Pacific Economic Outlook” is an annual white paper featuring analyses and forecasts of key issues affecting the economies of the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, and Kansai.
This year’s Economic Outlook consists of four parts. Part I examines developments in the U.S. economy and global economic trends under the second Trump administration, focusing on trade and economic policies, energy security, U.S.–China competition, and changes in the Asia-Pacific trade structure, particularly in ASEAN economies. Part II reviews recent developments and short-term prospects for the Japanese and Kansai economies, analyzing labor supply constraints, inbound tourism, the economic impacts of the Osaka–Kansai Expo, industrial structure, and post-pandemic consumption behavior. Part III presents a chronology centered on EXPO 2025, outlining major developments and initiatives in the periods before and after the Expo. Part IV contains a statistical annex.
We hope this publication will serve as a useful reference for those interested in the economic development of the Asia-Pacific region and Kansai.