Japan has many unique strengths, but it also faces numerous challenges, many of which are related to population ageing. Rapid demographic change is projected to reduce Japan's population by one-quarter by 2060 while increasing the share of elderly people from 29% of the total population to 38%, which would be the highest share among advanced countries. This book analyses the Japanese economy and the challenges it faces, and suggests policies to promote wellbeing, high living standards, fiscal sustainability, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. The book's 24 chapters focus on key aspects of Japan's economy, including the labour market, innovation, education, women in the workforce, corporate governance, small and medium-sized enterprises, the service sector, agriculture, fiscal and monetary policy, income distribution and policies to address climate change. The volume aims to increase understanding of Japan, the world's third-largest economy and a key player in the global economy. It will assist policymakers and serve as a resource for academics and students of economics and public policy. As Japan is a front-runner in population ageing, the book's analysis and policy recommendations are highly relevant to other countries that are, or soon will be, facing similar challenges.

  A spooky gothic adventure, perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and for curling up with on a rainy night ...  WINNER OF THE TIMES/CHICKEN HOUSE CHILDREN'S FICTION COMPETITION  WINNER OF THE MSLEXIA NOVEL AWARD 'It's exciting and original, warm and funny and gothic' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE Autumn Albert can see the dead – much to her annoyance. But when her dad dies in mysterious circumstances, he’s the one ghost who doesn’t appear. A curious instruction in his will sends Autumn to Imber, the storm-soaked island of his childhood: a place marked by tight-lipped locals, strange stacks of witchstones – and even fewer ghosts. Soon Autumn is ensnared in a dark and twisty mystery, which must be unravelled before the sea rises up and history is doomed to repeat itself ... The debut adventure for ages 9 and up from Emily Randall-Jones, a breathtaking new talent Winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2021 A gripping, chilling tale with Gothic elements which offers an original new spin on a traditional ghost story  Perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and Lucy Strange

Veronica 'Ronnie' Reynolds probably could, but will not complain. The beautiful baby girl who went on to become the sexiest man in late-night television, has seen too much to believe what that preacher said; that 'God does care what we wear... and that we must act according to our body parts.' If that were true... well, no one, but God, knows what would have happened to Ronnie. Still, he knows that she's been blessed, and that his life has purpose. Now, if she can just keep walking... until he figures out what that is. TRUTH the series continues... So much has happened since we first met Kevin, Gabby, Kyle, Michael, Gary and Nikki. Like many of us, their lives are full, even when their cups are not. Gabrielle and Michael prepare for the trials of Bishop Robert Nichols. But as his sins are uncovered, so are a multitude of secrets and lies, and not just the bishop's. Long-forgotten acquaintances return to help, hinder and bear witness. In the midst of it all are questions of sexual and gender identity and self-acceptance, perseverance over unspeakable suffering, and for Gabby, if she can forget everything she's been taught, true love under the least likely of circumstances.

Kevin Jerome Rivers had it all: a brilliant career; a son with his beautiful and equally successful childhood sweetheart, Gabrielle, and a loving, supportive extended family. The Broadway star was living the life many people only dreamed of. Who cares that his career was rooted in a lie, or that the lie would nearly destroy his best friend? So what that his marriage was born out of convenience, habitual sex, promises made by conflicted adolescents and manipulated by his controlling and sinister father-in-law, the bishop of one of the South's largest mega-churches? Just as Kevin's web of confusion begins to unravel, he meets Rev. Dr. Kyle Tye, the celibate, dread-locked giant, doctor of theology, and master of music, psychology and Tae Kwon Do... with dimples. Kyle's got his own problems. God's on his back about saving the world from gay bashing, hypocrisy, self-loathing and the overall human condition. With the weight of the world, or at least two churches, on his shoulders, he's got to figure out how to break into the gospel music industry and stop the bloodshed. But what about love?