Young people in Japan are considerably underrepresented in the country’s political institutions, leaving decision-making largely in the hands of older politicians. This age bias may have profound consequences for welfare policies in Japan, which faces a declining birth rate and a rapidly aging population. In this talk, Professor McClean will examine why younger politicians are so rare in countries like Japan and demonstrate how this shortage shapes both democracy and social policy.

This event is part of APARC's Contemporary Asia Seminar Series.

Charles McClean is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University. He conducts research in comparative politics with a focus on the politics of age and Japan. His work has been published in the British Journal of Political Science, Comparative Political Studies, Nature Medicine, and other venues in political science and public policy. His research has also been featured in outlets such as the Asahi Shimbun, Nikkei Shimbun, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.