Given its rapidly aging society, Japan will need to increase labour productivity in order to sustain its current income levels. Value added per hour worked has been increasing over the last 30 years in Japan, but it remains very low in comparison to other OECD countries. In 2021, it was below 60% of the US level. This is rather surprising given Japan’s excellent resource conditions: a high education level of its workforce; high investment in research and development; and relative abundance of capital. In this online presentation, DIJ director Franz Waldenberger will try to resolve Japan’s productivity puzzle and discuss how productivity could be increased. His talk is part of the Lunch Webinar on Japanese Economy and Society organized by the French Research Institute on Japan at the Maison franco-japonaise (MFJ). It takes place on April 21, from 12.30 to 14h. Details and registration here