The Economic Policy Institute for Quality Life(EPI) began its history as the Institute of Economic Planning for Peace. It took over from its predecessor in February 24, 1997 and commenced its activities as an organization for conducting research in response to the needs of the new age.
The Institute of Economic Planning for Peace was set up in 1961 to promote the democratic planning of politics, society, and economics and the creation of a peaceful international environment in Japan. In 1983, it was officially made into an aggregate corporation in order to strengthen the base of its activities.
For the past 36 years, this Institute has conducted research and made proposals concerning various problems related to politics, society and economics through the publication of the "National White Paper on Economy" and the monthly report "Journal of Institute of Economic Planning for Peace," etc. In this way, it has contributed to democracy, economic growth, and citizens' lives in Japan.
To build further on these achievements of the Institute of Economic Planning for Peace, and in response to the changes in the social and economic structure resulting from the end of the Cold War era, its name was changed to the Economic Policy Institute for Quality Life and it made a new start in February 1997.
EPI is based on progressive and social justice principles. It promotes research activities with the cooperation of academics, researchers, citizens, trade unionists and lawmakers. With the aim of improving the quality of life, EPI places priority on the viewpoint of ordinary citizens and workers through research focusing on achieving a balance between economic effectiveness and social justice. Further, EPI aims to develop democracy and civil society of Japan in the context of global democracy.
Major projects will include research on various themes, symposiums, research meetings and seminars, publication of the monthly journal "Seikatsu-keizai seisaku" or "EPI Journal" and other materials, and research in cooperation with or commissioned by the government, local governing bodies, corporations and other organizations.
Recent Publications(all in Japanese)
| EPI(ed.)(2011) | The Perspective of Post 3.11―Politics and Society in Japan. | EPI, Tokyo |
| Jinno, N. and Takahashi, N.(eds.)(2010) | Disgrowth and Revitalization of Local Community. | NTT Publishing, Tokyo |
| Komamura, K(ed.)(2010) | Guaranteed Minimum Income. | Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2010) | How to reform the tax system of Japan. | EPI, Tokyo |
| Shinkawa, T. and Shinoda, T.(eds.)(2009) | New Possibility of labor and welfare state―International Comparison of the Revitalization of Labor Movements. | Minervashobo, Kyoto |
| EPI(ed.)(2009) | Proposal for Hatoyama Cabinet. | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2009) | Why Labor Movement, now. | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2009) | The New Order of Global Post Neoliberalism－Political Economy in 2009. | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2009) | The World financial crisis and Contemporary capitalism. | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(trans.)(2008) | Social Democracy for 21st Century Ⅸ(The basic program of the Social Democratic Party of Germany―the Hamburg Program) . | EPI, Tokyo |
| Endo, S. and Ogawa, A.(eds.)(2007) | The Global Dialogue― Society beyond the Power Order. | Akashishoten, Tokyo |
| Nishikawa, J. and EPI(eds.)(2007) | Solidarity Economy―Alternatives to Globalization. | Akashishoten, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2007) | the Tax Reform―toward the tax system with fair and high fiscal capacity. | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2006) | Social Democracy for 21st Century Ⅷ(Social Democracy in Japan). | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2006) | Constitutional Law Association of EPI Report. | EPI, Tokyo |
| Jiro Yamaguchi, Taro Miyamoto & Ariyoshi Ogawa(eds.)(2006) |
Challenge for Civil-societal Democracy:European Politics in post-Third Way | Nihon Keizai Hyoron-sha, Tokyo |
| Taro Miyamoto,Jiro Yamaguchi & Minoru Tsubogo(eds.)(2005) |
Post-welfare state and Social Governance | Minerva Shobo, Kyoto |
| Toshiaki Tachibanaki(ed.) (2005) | Risky Society | Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo |
| EPI(eds.)(2005) | Globalisation and Multilateralism | EPI, Tokyo |
| Yuji Masuda & EPI(eds.)(2004) | Perspective for 21st Century of the North-eastern Asia | Nihon Keizai Hyoron-sha, Tokyo |
| Tsutomu. Ouchi(2004) | Buried Embers:Prof. Ouchi's Memoirs | Ochanomizu Shobo, Tokyo |
| J.Waddington & R. Hoffmann(eds.) M.Ogawa(tran.)(2004) |
Trade Unions in Europe:facing challenges and searching for solutions | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(eds.)(2004) | Social Democracy for 21st Century VII(revised European Social Democracy) | EPI, Tokyo |
| EPI(trans.)(2003) | Where are French lefts going? | EPI Tokyo |
| Takagi,E.andEPI(eds.)(2003) | Good Society-Agendas for 21st Century | Ochanomizu-shobo,Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2003) | European Centre-lefts in a Predicament | EPI Tokyo |
| EPI and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung(eds.)(2003) | Globalization and Innovation of Politics | Minerva-shobo, Kyoto |
| Miyamoto,T.(trans.)(2002) | Basic Programme of Swedish Social Democratic Party | EPI,Tokyo |
| Komamura, K.(2002) | Contemporary Role of Government in Distribution of Wealth | EPI,Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2002) | Lowering Birth Rate and Social Security System | EPI,Tokyo |
| EPI(ed.)(2002) | Trade Unions and Centre-left Governments in Europe | EPI,Tokyo |
| Ehara, Y.(2002) | Family and Gender Policies for 21st Century | EPI,Tokyo |
| EPI(trans.)(2001) | Multiple Third Ways | EPI,Tokyo |
| Masuda, Y. (2001) | IT Agenda for 21st Century | EPI,Tokyo |
| EPI(trans.)(2000) | The Third Ways in Europe | EPI,Tokyo |
| EPI(2000) | For Reviving the Labour Movements in Japan | EPI,Tokyo |
| Wada, Y.(ed.)(2000) | Proposal to Overcome the State Fiscal Crisis | EPI,Tokyo |
| Yamaguchi, Y. and Jinno, N.(eds.)(2000) | 2025-concept for Japan Future | Iwanami-shoten, Tokyo |
| EPI Study Team(1999) | New Politics in Europe and the Third Way | EPI, Tokyo |
| Isayama,T.(ed.)(1999) | Public Corporations under Competition | EPI,Tokyo |
| Maruo,N.(ed.)(1998) | Proposal Pension System Reform | EPI, Tokyo |
| Yamaguchi,J.and EPI(eds.)(1997) | Review of the Coalition Government 1993-1996 | Asahishimbun ,Tokyo |