Franz Waldenberger
Director
Economics and Business
Since October 2014
My research on the Japanese economy began 1992, when I joined the DIJ as a senior research fellow. During my five years with the institute, I worked on Japanese industrial organisation, the employment system and the financial system. During that time I also completed my habilitation thesis – a prerequisite for becoming a German professor – on “The organisation and evolution of division of labour – insights from Japanese economic development” (in German). In 1997, I left the DIJ to take over a professorship for Japanese economy at Munich University. Since then I have extended my area of research on the Japanese economy to include corporate governance, Japan’s international economic relations and, most recently, fiscal and monetary policy. I am very happy to return to my former place of work. I am thankful to Munich University for generously granting me leave.
Current DIJ Projects
The Digital Transformation of Science
COVID-19: Japan’s handling of a new challenge in international comparison
Japan's economic challenges ahead - Abenomics and beyond
Integrating a global workforce - Japanese approaches to global HR
Start-ups in Asia – the role of agglomerations and international linkages
Completed DIJ Projects
Publication Project: Ageing and Elderly Care in German and Japanese Communities
Use of robotic systems in nursing care in Japan with a view to increasing demand for skilled workers
ACCESS - Inclusion of senior citizens in a digitalizing world
The Future of the Financial System in the Digital Age
Effective Multinational Teamwork in the Japanese Context (EMTJ Study)
Recent Publications
Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (2023). "Why Has There Been No Inflation in Japan?". In: Rövekamp, Frank, Bälz, Moritz, Hilpert, Hanns Günter & Sohn, Wook (Eds.), Inflation and Deflation in East Asia (pp. 103-122). Springer Nature. (Hanns Günter Hilpert). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Hemmert, Martin, Cross, Adam R., Cheng, Ying, Kim, Jae-Jin, Kotosaka, Masahiro & Zheng, Leven J. (2023). "Environmental uncertainty and the entrepreneurial orientation–performance relationship among East Asian new technology‑based firms: an institutional perspective". Asian Business & Management, published online. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2023). "日本地域経済の課題と可能性 – ドイツ・EUからの示唆 [Herausforderungen und Chancen der Regionalwirtschaft in Japan – Hinweise aus Deutschland und der EU]". 中部圏研究, vol. 223, 2023.06 (pp. 144-166).
Waldenberger, Franz, Hemmert, Martin, Cross, Adam, Cheng, Ying, Kim, Jae-Jin, Kotosaka, Masahiro & Zheng, Leven J. (2022). "The influence of founders’ human capital on the performance of new technology-based firms in China, South Korea and Japan: an exploratory study". Asia Pacific Business Review, online first (pp. 1-26). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2022). "Die japanische Wirtschaft unter »Abenomics«". In: Chiavacci, David & Wieczorek, Iris (Eds.), Japan 2022, Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft (pp. 102-110). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Kärnä, Eija, Aavikko, Lotta, Rohner, Rebekka, Gallistl, Vera, Pihlainen, Kaisa, Müller, Claudia, Ehlers, Anja, Bevilacqua, Roberta, Strano, Stefano, Maranesi, Elvira, Cerna, Katarina, Hengel, Lisa, Kolland, Franz, Naegele, Gerd, Park, Sieun, Hess, Moritz, Reuter, Verena, Frewer-Graumann, Susanne & Korjonen-Kuusipuro, Kristiina (2022). "A Multilevel Model of Older Adultsʼ Appropriation of ICT and Acquisition of Digital Literacy". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 19, issue 23 (pp. 1-14). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2022). "Armer Staat, reiches Land. Japans Staatsverschuldung". In: Blechinger-Talcott, Verena, Chiavacci, David & Schwentker, Wolfgang (Eds.), Japan. Ein Land im Umbruch (pp. 199-213). BeBra Verlag.
Waldenberger, Franz (2022). "Zivilgesellschaft und Inklusion – zusammenführende Kommentierung". In: Waldenberger, Franz, Naegele, Gerd, Kudo, Hiroko & Matsuda, Tomoo (Eds.), Alterung und Pflege als kommunale Aufgabe. Deutsche und japanische Ansätze und Erfahrungen (pp. 137-141). SpringerVS. (Dortmunder Beiträge zur Sozialforschung). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Naegele, Gerd, Kudo, Hiroko & Matsuda, Tomoo (2022). "Einleitung zu Alterung und Pflege als kommunale Aufgabe". In: Waldenberger, Franz, Naegele, Gerd, Kudo, Hiroko & Matsuda, Tomoo (Eds.), Alterung und Pflege als kommunale Aufgabe. Deutsche und japanische Ansätze und Erfahrungen (pp. 1-17). SpringerVS. (Dortmunder Beiträge zur Sozialforschung). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Nägele, Gerd, Kudo, Hiroko & Matsuda, Tomoo (Eds.) (2022). Alterung und Pflege als kommunale Aufgabe. Deutsche und japanische Ansätze und Erfahrungen. SpringerVS. LINK
Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (2022). "デジタル時代の金融システム: 欧州と日本からの観点 [The Future of Financial Systems in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Europe and Japan]". In: , ドイツ日本研究所 [Deutsches Institut für Japanstudien] (Ed.), デジタル時代の金融システム: 欧州と日本からの観点 [The Future of Financial Systems in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Europe and Japan] (pp. 3-30). きんざい [Kinzai]. LINK
Gagné, Isaac & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2022). Contemporary Japan, Volume 34, Issue 1 (2022). Taylor & Francis, Routledge. LINK
Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (2022). "Financial Systems in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Europe and Japan". In: Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), The Future of Financial Systems in the Digital Age (pp. 1-18). Springer, Singapore. LINK
Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2022). The Future of Financial Systems in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Europe and Japan. Springer. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2021). "Demographie, Deflation und die »Neue Normalität«: Lehren aus der japanischen Wirtschaftsentwicklung". In: Chiavacci, David & Wieczorek, Iris (Eds.), Japan 2021: Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft (pp. 145-161). VSJF/Iudicium.
Sidaway, James D. & Waldenberger, Franz (2021). "Comparing Comparisons – Introduction and Overview". In: Sidaway, James D. & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), Comparing Comparisons (pp. 7-12). IUDICIUM Verlag GmbH, München. (DIJ Miscellanea). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz & Sidaway, James D. (2021). "Who compares? The commodification and decolonization of comparison". In: Waldenberger, Franz & Sidaway, James D. (Eds.), Comparing Comparisons (pp. 41-44). IUDICIUM Verlag GmbH, München. (DIJ Miscellanea). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2021). "デジタル時代における シチズン・サイエンス 市民社会と協働した人文・社会科学研究の可能性 [Citizen Science in the Digital Era Humanities in collaboration with Civil Society. Possibility of Social Science research]". NIRA Opinion Paper, 58 (pp. 1-9). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Hemmert, Martin, Cross, Adam R., Cheng, Ying, Kim, Jae‑Jin, Kotosaka, Masahiro & Zheng, Leven J. (2021). "New venture entrepreneurship and context in East Asia: a systematic literature review". Asian Business & Management. LINK
Sidaway, James D. & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2021). Comparing Comparisons. DIJ. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Foreword". In: Kottmann, Nora & Reiher, Cornelia (Eds.), Studying Japan: Handbook of Research Designs, Fieldwork and Methods. Nomos. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "The Japanese economy". In: Takeda, Hiroko & Williams, Mark (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Japan (pp. 58-79). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Japans Wirtschaft in der COVID-19-Krise". In: Japan Jahrbuch 2020 (pp. 153-171). Iudicium.
Kümmerle, Harald & Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Introduction". In: Kümmerle, Harald & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), The Digital Transformation – Implications for the Social Sciences and the Humanities (pp. 7-9). DIJ. (DIJ Miscellanea).
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Knowledge production and the role of SSH in the digital age". In: Kümmerle, Harald & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), The Digital Transformation – Implications for the Social Sciences and the Humanities (pp. 72-80). DIJ. (DIJ Miscellanea).
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "データをオープンにし、研究者を呼び込む [Make data open and attract researchers]". 海外での 日本研究の停滞 [Stagnation in Japan Studies Abroad], NIRA わたしの構想 / My Vision no. 48 (June 2020) (pp. 18-19). LINK
Heckel, Markus & Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Deflation – Japan’s Endless Battle". In: Storz, C. & Taube, M. (Eds.), Firms, Institutions, and the State in East Asia. A Festschrift in Honour of Werner Pascha (pp. 329-346). Metropolis.
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Japan und die Forschung am DIJ in Zeiten von COVID-19 / Japan and research at the DIJ in times of COVID-19". DIJ Newsletter, 61 (June 2020). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz & Yanagawa, Noriyuki (2020). "はじめに / Introduction". COVID-19によるパンデミックの 経済的影響への対応。国際的な協調と、継続的かつ集中的な対話が必要。/ Coping with the Economic Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The need for international coordination and cooperation, NIRA Opinion Paper no. 46 (June 2020). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz & Sidaway, James D (May 19, 2020). "Comparing Comparisons – Introduction and Overview". Trafo Blog for Transnational Research. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "The Olympics and Paralympic Games as a technology showcase". In: Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), Japan trough the lens of the Tokyo Olympics. Routledge. LINK
Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Postscript: The new Olympic race against COVID-19". In: Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), Japan through the lens of the Tokyo Olympics. Routledge.
Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Understanding Japan through the lens of Tokyo 2020". In: Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), Japan through the lens of the Tokyo Olympics (pp. 1-7). Routledge.
Waldenberger, Franz (2020). "Number games: The economic impact of Tokyo 2020". In: Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.), Japan through the lens of the Tokyo Olympics (pp. 18-24). Routledge.
Waldenberger, Franz & Haas, Stefanie (2020). "Japans Erfolg in der Corona-Krise: Zufall oder System?". Kaihô (Deutsch-Japanischen Gesellschaft in Bayern e.V.), 4/2020 (pp. 22-26).
Kümmerle, Harald & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2020). The Digital Transformation. Implications for the Social Sciences and the Humanities. DIJ. LINK
Holthus, Barbara, Gagné, Isaac, Manzenreiter, Wolfram & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2020). Japan through the lens of the Tokyo Olympics. Routledge. LINK
Gagné, Isaac & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2020). Contemporary Japan 32, No 1, Special Issue: Governing death and dying in Japan and its colonies. Taylor & Francis. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz & Kamesaka, Akiko (2019). "Financial Impact of Mega Disasters". In: Waldenberger, Franz & Kamesaka, A. (Eds.), Governance, Risk and Financial Impact of Mega Disasters.. Lessons from Japan (pp. 1-12). Springer Verlag.
Waldenberger, Franz & Kümmerle, Harald (2019). "Big Data und die Zukunft der Wissensproduktion". DIJ Newsletter, 60, Dezember 2019. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2019). "Grenzüberschreitende Wissensströme. Transnationale Forschung am DIJ Tokyo". Weltweit vor Ort. Magazin der Max Weber Stiftung, 2 (pp. 18-21). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2019). "Japanese Management. Its strengths and weaknesses from a German perspective". 経営学論集第89 集 [89th Proceedings Management Studies] (pp. 87-96).
Waldenberger, Franz (2019). "Produktivität und Diversität – Japans Beschäftigungssystem auf dem Prüfstand". DIJ Newsletter, 59 (pp. 1-2). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2019). "Governance in the Age of Ignorance: The Role of Knowledge Infrastructures". Global Briefing Report. G20 Leaders’ Summit (pp. 42-43). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Hemmert, M., Cross, A. R., Cheng, L. J., Kim, J., Kohlbacher, F. & Kotosaka, M. (2019). "The distinctiveness and diversity of entrepreneurial ecosystems in China, Japan, and South Korea: an exploratory analysis". Asian Business & Management, Volume 18, Issue 3 (pp. 211-247). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2019). "Einige Überlegungen zu den Möglichkeiten und Grenzen staatlicher Regulierung in einer durch Arbeitsteilung geprägten Wissensgesellschaft". In: Baums, T., Remsperger, H., Sachs, M. & Wieland, V. W. (Eds.), Zentralbanken, Währungsunion und stabiles Finanzsystem. Festschrift für Helmut Siekmann (pp. 621-635). Duncker & Humblot.
Waldenberger, Franz & Gagné, Isaac (Eds.) (2019). Contemporary Japan Volume 31, No. 1 (2019). Taylor & Francis. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2019). "Report on the Transregional Academy “Infrastructures, Regions and Urbanizations”". Hypothesis. LINK
Kamesaka, Akiko & Waldenberger, Franz (Eds.) (2019). Governance, Risk and Financial Impact of Mega Disasters. Springer Nature. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz, Braeseke, Grit, Naegele, Gerhard, Lingott, Nina & Park, Sieun (2019). Einsatz von robotischen Systemen in der Pflege in Japan mit Blick auf den steigenden Fachkräftebedarf. Abschlussbericht für das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie. IGES Institut (Infrastruktur- und Gesundheitsfragen.). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Unternehmensgebundene Managementkarrieren – Fluch und Segen für Japans Corporate Governance (Zweitveröffentlichung)". Asia Bridge, 11:2018 (pp. 29-31).
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Das DIJ in Tokyo auch mit 30 Jahren voller Tatendrang./The DIJ Tokyo: 30 years on and still thriving/設立30周年ドイツ日本研究所のやる気". In: Eichelberg, Sven & Holthus, Barbara (Eds.), 30 Years of Interdisciplinary Research on Site 1988 – 2018 (pp. 38-41). DIJ. LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Japan’s economy at the beginning of 2018: How sustainable is Japan’s economic upswing?". DJW Newsletter, 5/2018. LINK
Holthus, Barbara & Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "30 Jahre gesellschafts- und geisteswissenschaftliche Forschung zu Japan. Das Deutsche Institut für Japanstudien, 1988-2018". Weltweit vor Ort Das Magazin der Max Weber Stiftung, 02/18 (pp. 26-29).
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Japans Corporate Governance Reformen – Mehr Vielfalt statt Konvergenz". In: Graf v. Kalnein, Albrecht & Fröhlich, Julius (Eds.), Diversität in Japan: Veränderung durch Vielfalt –Vielfalt durch Veränderung (pp. 5-6). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Society 5.0. Japanische Ambitionen und Initiativen (Deutsche Fassung)". Die digitale Zukunft (= Auslandsinformationen 1) (pp. 54-61). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Society 5.0. Japanese Ambitions and Initiatives". The Digital Future (= International Reports 1) (pp. 48-55). LINK
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Unternehmensgebundene Managementkarrieren – Fluch und Segen für Japans Corporate Governance". Japan Markt, Nr. 3/2018 (pp. 36-38).
Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "Japans Wirtschaft boomt. Alles auf Pump?". Kaiho (Zeitschrift der Deutsch-Japanischen Gesellschaft in Bayern e.V), Nr. 2/2018 (pp. 25-27).
Heinrich, Steffen & Waldenberger, Franz (2018). "30 Jahre gesellschafts- und geisteswissenschaftliche Forschung zu Japan. Das Deutsche Institut für Japanstudien, 1988-2018". Weltweit vor Ort. Magazin der Max Weber Stiftung (pp. 26-29). LINK