Corona Virus and Global Economy

Credit: Bangkokpost.com

Kumiko Yurimoto

Department of Humanities and Culture, 

Hoso Daigaku, Wakaba, Mihama-ku,

Chiba, Japan.

Can a virus cause economic slowdown? The answer is simply, yes. More than two dozens countries are affected by Corona virus which started spreading from Wuhan, China. Many multinational companies were forced to shut down or partly cut their operations across the globe. A Japanese food chain, ‘Izakaya’ has announced to shut all of its outlets in mainland China as only a few customers are turning to their restaurants. Hyundai, an other company in Korea has announced to curtails its productions. Philipines, Thailand and Indonesia are the other countries which are severely affected by this epidemic.    

Tourism is most affected sector due to the Corona virus. Many tour operators have cancelled their bookings and several countries have suspended issuing Visa to Chinese citizens. Several flights are already restrained flying to China and businesses are hampered. The GDP growth for China has been predicted to be below 5% and a panic is emerging due to all this. It will pull down the global economy particularly nations dependent on Chinese economy will be affected the most, including Japan. 

The prices of masks in Tokyo have surged many fold and out of stock in the city. Even the online stores are not able to meet the supply. Several cities in China are are facing self lockdown and economic activities are not happening at all due to the fear.  “Coronavirus will have a larger negative effect on the global economy than the SARS outbreak in 2003,” IHS Markit wrote, adding that China accounted for 4.2% of the global economy in 2003. The report says China now commands 16.3% of the world’s GDP. “Therefore, any slowdown in the Chinese economy sends not ripples but waves across the globe”, cites CNBC. 

As number of deaths have crossed more than one thousand in China mainland, the panic is spreading among business communities. The sales of Nissan motors dropped to around 18% in China. This is a clear sign of the impact of the virus on economy. Similar impacts can easily be found in neighboring countries like Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan too. A Japanese taxi driver in 80s died recently and number of infected persons in Cruise ship Diamond Princess is gradually increasing. If it will spread further the Japanese economy may be shaken. Though there is no direct threat to forthcoming Olympic games but if the outbreak continues it will pose a potential threat to organize the games. 

The Corona virus outbreak has burdened the global economy and hampered the business movement severely. China being an economic giant affecting the global businesses. Many companies, particularly in aviation sector and tourism are the most hit. The Guardian has reported that, Ikea has closed all of its 30 stores in China, while McDonalds shut about 300 restaurants, 10% of its network in the country, and Starbucks has shut about half of its 4,100 cafes. This just a tip of the iceberg. As there is no effective control to spread the virus, the future of global economy is still in limbo.  

Threats to Cultural Properties

Shuri Castle: Okinawa, Japan

     Michio Matsukubo

               Academic Fellow

CCGS, Fukuoka

E-mail: info@globalculturz.org

In many parts of the globe violence and war-like situations are emerging, and they pose a potential threat to cultural properties. Earlier in Afghanistan and later in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the globe, terrorism was the main cause for destruction of the cultural properties in their respective territories.   

Recently, in countries like France and Japan, it was fire which destroyed Notre Dome and Shuri Castle, respectively. Some times socio-political unrest becomes the root cause of such destructions. The protection, preservation and maitainance of such cultural properties cost millions of dollars all over the world. There is also a debate, whether this huge amount can be utilized for other purposes like eradication of poverty etc. Why cultural properties are so important to be preserved and maintained for the posteriority? 

Cultural properties are, ‘movable or immovable property of great importance to the cultural heritage of every people, such as monuments of architecture, art or history, whether religious or secular; archaeological sites; groups of buildings which, as a whole, are of historical or artistic interest; works of art; manuscripts, books and other objects of artistic, historical or archaeological interest; as well as scientific collections and important collections of books or archives or of reproductions of the property defined above.’ It clearly reflects the importance and necessity of cultural properties. Though there are other issues before humankind but cultural properties too cannot be ignored.

Addressing social unrests, terrorism, natural disasters properly, ensure protection of cultural properties. The world is becoming more violent as dissatisfaction from the governments are on rise. The civilizational and religious clashes are also increasing and makes a potential threat to cultural properties. Saving them is as necessary as anything else. Proper security arrangements, awareness, safety from natural and manmade disasters, socio-political harmony are the key points to avoid threats for these important properties.    

G-20 SUMMIT AT OSAKA: ACHIEVEMENTS, EVALUATION AND FUTURE ACTIONS

Credit: g20.org

 Laura Frank

Research Associate, CCGS

Berlin Chair

E-mail: Info@globalculturz.org

G-20 is a group of twenty powerful nations of the globe, which also includes European Union. In 1999 the group was founded with the aim to promote the international financial stability and a few other issues. Economic cooperation was the key agenda behind its establishment. Its consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Spain is a permanent invitee.

Since then G20 leaders have met thirteen times at different global venues and the summit held in Osaka (Japan) on 28-29 June 2019 was the fourteenth one. The economists have raised the doubts of its achievements and its relevance too. The G20 leaders are divided on several issues and the global character of the G20 is severally hampered in new emerging situations globally. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), US=China Trade tussles, Japan-Korea cultural relations, US-Russia tensions and many other regional issues are more dominant over the global goals. In that case G20 summits just become a mere ceremonial meet without a concrete purpose.

Eight themes were put forth for discussion in Osaka. These were (i) Global Economy, (ii) Trade and Investment, (iii)Innovation, (iv) Environment and Energy, (v) Employment, (vi) Women’s empowerment, (vii) Development and (viii) Health. These were important issues before the global leaders to ensure the global sustainable development. Whereas the US has already moved out of Paris climate accord and has faced criticism, it was expected that there will be hardly any progress to control global warming. The worries expressed by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe through the press release is quite obvious, ‘The world economy still faces downside risks due to trade tensions. The G20 shared the determination to take further actions and lead strong economic growth while paying attention to such circumstances.’TheUS-China trade war is, as experts say, is not going to settle till Mr. Trump is in office. Chinese BRI project is boycotted by India, the most accelerating economy of the world. BREXIT has created a big trouble for European Union and Germany is passing through a phase of sluggish growth.

The preamble of the summit declaration suggests that there is a will to get united and make the world a prosperous, terror free, energy secured, gender justice and healthy place for every human individual. It says, 1. We, the Leaders of the G20, met in Osaka, Japan on 28-29 June 2019 to make united efforts to address major global economic challenges. We will work together to foster global economic growth, while harnessing the power of technological innovation, in particular digitalization, and its application for the benefit of all.

2. Building on work done by previous presidencies, we will strive to create a virtuous cycle of growth by addressing inequalities and realize a society where all individuals can make use of their full potential. We are resolved to build a society capable of seizing opportunities, and tackling economic, social and environmental challenges, presented today and in the future, including those of demographic change.

3. We will further lead efforts to foster development and address other global challenges to pave the way toward an inclusive and sustainable world, as envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.

One journalist said at the venue, Honesty is prime, rest will follow.

For us, Center for Culture & Global Studies, it is satisfactory that there is special mention of promoting tourism and strengthening cultural diplomacy. The Declaration states in its article ’24. Tourism accounts for a significant share of the world's GDP and is expected to continue to be an important driver of global economic growth. We will work to maximize the sector's contribution to the creation of quality jobs and entrepreneurship, especially for women and youth and in the creative industry; economic resilience and recovery; the preservation of natural resources through sustainable tourism planning and management; and the achievement of inclusive and sustainable development’.

We appreciate such endeavors of G20 leaders.

China’s Debt Trap

           Yoko Sakamoto

     International Studies School

   Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan

      E-mail:info@globalculturz.org

OBOR (One Belt, One Road) Project or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are Chinese multi-layered economic aspiration to become a global power and challenge the American dominance-politically as well as economically. China is giving different types of loans to Asian and African countries for their infrastructure developmental projects. It has a very clear policy to encircle India, strategically, the biggest contender in the Asian region. China is funding Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar heavily. Pakistan’s several infrastructural development projects are not yielding anything till now and the interest on loans given by China is increasing. If Pakistan fails to repay, there will more pressure on the Pak Government and it will lose its sovereignty.  Sri Lanka, too, has failed to make repayments to Chinese debts and due to this reason; it has handed over its 

In Quest of World Peace

Laura Frank

Center for Culture & Global Studies

Berlin

E-mail: info@globalculturz.org

Nuclear disarmament is the key issue to ensure world peace. Recently the US President, Trump pulled him out of the discussion with North Korean leader Kim Ju Un. The meeting was scheduled to be held in Singapore in mid-June, this year. Kim, at the same, announced that some nuclear facilities, located in the North, would be destroyed before the meeting. He did so. He also initiated to build a positive dialogue with South Korea. Now, the leaders and common people across both Koreas have developed good sentiments towards each other. North Korea, has armed herself with different types of nuclear weapons has a stronger atomic capability. The sanctions imposed by UNSC on North Korea from time to time have their limited impact, as China and Russia were not fully convinced with these measures. It is learned that China was not convinced with sanctions and supporting the North indirectly. 

The countries equipped with nuclear arms are not willing to drop further enhancements. This dis-balance has created a big challenge for a nuclear-free world. North Korea, with it's two immediate and unfriendly neighbors-Japan & South Korea, is not at peace. These two countries, for their security, move ahead under the nuclear umbrella of the US. This causes the North, more unrest. 

Iran, Syria, Israel, Palestine and North Korea are the so-called bone of contention for world peace. Disturbances in these areas are pulling back the world economy. Nuclear equipped countries have bigger responsibility to initiate the global peace process. Donald Trump should re-consider his decision. Dialogues and discussions are the only tools to march ahead on the path of peace and prosperity. 

Non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council-Brazil

Brazil is ready to play a positive role in the world peace and prosperity. Press Note release by the minister indicates the same-Editor/s Courtesy: Itamatary, Govt of Brazil

The Brazilian Government is pleased to announce its candidacy for non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council in the biennium 2022-2023, in the slot allocated for countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil’s candidacy reflects its commitment to the multilateral political system and its constructive engagement in decision-making initiatives on peace and security, driven by the ideal of a peaceful, just and prosperous world for all, in line with the constitutional principles guiding Brazilian foreign policy.

The Brazilian decision is the result of an agreement reached with the government of Honduras, whereby Brazil has anticipated its bid for the biennium 2033-2034 to 2022-2023, thus making up for the delay in the presentation of its candidacy during previous administrations. The last participation of Brazil in the United Nations Security Council took place in 2010 and 2011. The agreement will allow, if Brazil is elected, to anticipate the country’s return to the UNSC in eleven years. Brazil is the developing country that has more often been a member of the Council, having been elected to ten terms since 1946.

Brazil’s participation in the United Nations Security Council in the 2022-2023 term will help the country, in the bicentenary of its independence, to contribute to the main decisions on international peace and security.

Issued on  March 28, 2018

Strikes on Syria: A Short Commentary

           Dr. Ram Dwivedi

      University of Delhi, India

E-mail: info@globalculturz.org

Syria and its people are passing through a trauma for quite a long time. President Assad is unable to control and maintain law and order in larger part of Syria. Different rebel and armed groups control the Syrian territories. American allies are in direct confrontation with president Assad, whereas Russia and Iran support him. Syria has become a test-ground for American and Russian allies at the cost of common people. On April 14, 2018, the US, along with Britain and France; fired around hundred missiles targeted to destroy its chemical and research facilities located in the capital city of Damascus and faraway Homs. These strikes were carried out without any prior approval of the UNSC and there was no warning issued. Russia, Iran and, China gave their sharp reactions and requested to call the emergent meeting of UN Security Council to condemn the strikes. US allies blamed Assad to use chemical weapons against their own people. So the strikes were limited.  

As told to the international media the Asaad government used ‘Sarin’, ‘Chlorine’ and other dangerous chemicals to control the rebel groups. In any case, it is going to set a bad precedent and cannot be accepted. Russia blamed that the US is spreading baseless facts and Asaad also denied any such chemical weapon use. The truth must come out and there should be self-restrain from all the sides. Sometimes smaller incident of provocation turns into major confrontations.

Jerusalem: The Bone of Contention

Yusuke SEKIMOTO

United Nations University, Shibuya

Japan

E-mail:info@globalculturz.org

Donald Trump, unilaterally, declared and gave recognition to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This created a sentiment of despair in the international community. Arab nations, as expected, protested the move put the issue in UN general assembly to discuss, debate and vote upon it. The results of the same were declared and the US was cornered completely as 128 nations supported the status quo. 

Trump administration tries to give a strong message to other nations to follow it verdict and support its decision. The US ambassador to UN, Nikki Haley, issued a warning to UN and other countries to oppose the motion moved by the Arab nations or else face fund cuts. It didn’t work out. Only 9 countries, lesser known to people, opposed the move and the rest either choose to be absent or support the motion. 

Jerusalem is a place where the confluence of three major religions happened viz. Judaism, Islam and, Christianity. In 1967, Israel annexed the East Jerusalem and declared its capital. It was opposed by international community and never recognized. Most of the nations maintain their diplomatic missions and embassies in Tel Aviv. Now, the US has decided to shift its embassy to Jerusalem. It will create an anxiety among Muslim nations and there are possibilities in an increase of violent clashes between Israel and Palestine.

Trump Administration has to learn a lesson from its defeat at UN floor and it must re-adjust its foreign policy. Developing nations are no more dependent on the US for their development and international existence. The emergence of China and India as an economic power posed a substantial threat to the US. Rather US economy cannot afford to lose a big market of China and India, inhabiting almost half of the world population. In this changed scenario, any egoistic decision will be turned down severely. Oliver Stuenkel in his book, Post Western World, has categorically indicated the rise of the Asian Countries particularly China and India. The western countries will not dictate the new world order but it is going to be defined by the Asia or the rest of the world. 

Political administrations all across the globe are unable to cater the wishes and demands of their people. They need superficial issues to engage the general public of their countries. It is a mechanism to divert the attention of common people from the issues of employment, better life and clean air. Jerusalem is such an issue, which is emotionally attached to the followers of Judaism, Islam and, Christianity. 

There are violent clashes among Israeli army and Palestinians since the US declaration. Though the global community has turned it down, there is a doubt that America will propagate its agenda. It will also provide an opportunity to radical Islamist groups, like ISIS, to consolidate Muslim resentments and revive them. The US has to understand that, such decisions will affect the world order and global peace processes. It is neither necessary nor important in a contemporary international scenario. A soft power can serve the purpose.

Doklam: Advantage India

                  Mariko Fujimoto

Social Sciences FacultyKyorin University

                                        Tokyo

info@globalculturz.org

Doklam is a tri-junction in Bhutan. Chinese will to develop infrastructure near border areas has been creating controversies between India and China. Doklam is just one of them. Chinese administration with the help of PLA began a road construction around two months ago, which was contested and protested by the Indian side and Bhutan supported India.

OBOR: The Alternative Strategy for Japan and India

        Yoko Sakamoto

 International Studies Schoool

 Meiji University, Tokyo Japan

E-mail: info@globalculturz.org

China has rolled out ‘The Project of Millennium’ under the name of One Belt One Road (OBOR). It will benefit China economically and enhance its control in the Asian region. Whereas ‘America First’ policy under Trump administration has pressurized US trade allies to explore alternative ways, most of the nations are looking towards China to take the leadership. Chinese President Xi-Jinping, on various world forums, has indicated too, to take the global leadership in business and trades. Though Japan ‘loosely’ participated in the OBOR summit held in Beijing, last month, India showed a big courage to boycott the same completely on the grounds of its national security and integrity. 

Global Security Challenges in a Non-polar World

Kana Shimizu

Researcher

The Open University of Japan

 Chiba, Japan

E-mail:info@globalculturz.org

The present US president has decided track back from global responsibilities. He clearly indicated that America should not be the custodian of global problems and it is better for the nations to resolve their issues themselves. At a time, with the existence of USSR, the world was bipolar majorly divided into American and Soviet camps. Though a few nations like India were kept themselves at equidistant with both of them under the new camp known as a non-align movement. With the collapse of USSR, the world politics and economy became the US-centric and American dictates were binding to the most of the nations.