OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría and Japan’s Minister of Finance Taro Aso presided today over a signing ceremony to establish a new centre of the OECD International Academy for Tax Crime Investigation in Wako, Japan.

Japan must step up enforcement of its foreign bribery laws and strengthen the capacities of its law enforcement agencies to proactively detect, investigate and prosecute the foreign bribery offence, according to a new report by the OECD Working Group on Bribery.

Japan's tax-to-GDP ratio was 30.6% in 2016* (latest available data), below the OECD average (34.2%) by 3.6 percentage points, and above the LAC and Africa (21)* averages (22.8% and 18.2%, respectively).

This country note explains how Japan taxes energy use. The note shows the distribution of effective energy tax rates across all domestic energy use. It also details the country-specific assumptions made when calculating effective energy tax rates and matching tax rates to the corresponding energy base.

Japan displays many excellent indicators of population health, including the highest life expectancy in the world. Still, many people are pessimistic about their health – 14% of adults rate their own health poorly – though this partly reflects linguo-cultural differences. Most people lead healthy lifestyles, with low rates of alcohol consumption and the lowest share of adults overweight or obese.

Key findings for Japan from the report "Pensions at a Glance 2019"

The tax-to-GDP ratio in Japan increased by 0.7 percentage points from 30.7% in 2016 to 31.4% in 2017 (latest year available). The corresponding figures for the OECD average were a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from 34.4% to 34.2% over the same period.

This note presents selected findings based on the set of well-being indicators published in How's Life? 2020.

The tax wedge for the average single worker in Japan remained the same at 32.7 percentage points between 2018 and 2019. The OECD average tax wedge in 2019 was 36.0 (2018, 36.1). In 2019 Japan had the 26th lowest tax wedge among the 36 OECD member countries, occupying the same position in 2018.

Exports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products in South Africa decreased to 1469.83 ZAR Million in March from 1976.95 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products in South Africa averaged 1477.56 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2105.93 ZAR Million in August of 2016 and a record low of 623.79 ZAR Million in February of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products.

Exports to Ships & Aircrapft Stores (world Zone) in South Africa decreased to 735.41 ZAR Million in March from 833.73 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports to Ships & Aircrapft Stores (world Zone) in South Africa averaged 561.19 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2052.33 ZAR Million in May of 2015 and a record low of 94.50 ZAR Million in April of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports to Ships & Aircrapft Stores (world Zone).

Imports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products in South Africa decreased to 2195.04 ZAR Million in March from 2770.94 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Imports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products in South Africa averaged 1943.22 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 3987.84 ZAR Million in November of 2019 and a record low of 1030.39 ZAR Million in April of 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Imports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products.

Imports: Machinery Mechanical & Electrical Appliances in South Africa decreased to 18160.81 ZAR Million in March from 18707.38 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Imports: Machinery Mechanical & Electrical Applian in South Africa averaged 21974.09 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 28234.18 ZAR Million in October of 2015 and a record low of 17037.78 ZAR Million in February of 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Imports of Machinery Mechanical & Electrical Appl.

Imports - Machinery & Mechanical Appliances (Cmlv) in South Africa increased to 58464.29 ZAR Million in March from 40305.11 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Imports - Machinery & Mechanical Appliances (Cmlv) in South Africa averaged 139524.15 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 281087.47 ZAR Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 20988.93 ZAR Million in January of 2017. South Africa accounts for Imports of Machinery & Mechanical Appliances using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Imports of Machinery & Mechanical Appliances (cml.

The number of employed persons in Singapore increased to 3778 Thousand in 2019 from 3715.80 Thousand in 2018. Employed Persons in Singapore averaged 2739.03 Thousand from 1994 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 3778 Thousand in 2019 and a record low of 1714.20 Thousand in 1994. In Singapore, employed persons are individuals with a minimum required age who work during a certain time for a business. This page provides - Singapore Employed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The number of employed persons in Japan decreased to 67320 Thousand in March of 2020 from 67430 Thousand in February of 2020. Employed Persons in Japan averaged 56665.61 Thousand from 1953 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 67820 Thousand in December of 2019 and a record low of 38370 Thousand in May of 1953. In Japan, employed persons are individuals with a minimum required age who work during a certain time for a business. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Employed Persons - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Myanmar was last recorded at 5922 US dollars in 2018, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Myanmar, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 33 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita PPP in Myanmar averaged 2543.91 USD from 1990 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 5922 USD in 2018 and a record low of 715.90 USD in 1991. This page provides - Myanmar GDP per capita PPP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Andorra was last recorded at 44569.80 US dollars in 2018. The GDP per Capita in Andorra is equivalent to 353 percent of the world's average. GDP Per Capita in Andorra averaged 40161.64 USD from 1970 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 49707.20 USD in 2006 and a record low of 32633.80 USD in 1994. The GDP per capita is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by inflation, by the total population. This page provides the latest reported value for - Andorra Gdp Per Capita - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Gains in female education attainment have contributed to a worldwide increase in women’s participation in the labour force, but considerable gaps remain in working hours, conditions of employment and earnings.  More specific data for Austria are available in this country note.

As a further sign of international efforts to crack down on tax offenders, 12 more countries have signed, or committed to sign, the OECD’s Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. In addition, another 6 countries have ratified the Convention.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Uruguay was last recorded at 14617.50 US dollars in 2018. The GDP per Capita in Uruguay is equivalent to 116 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in Uruguay averaged 8085.06 USD from 1960 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 14617.50 USD in 2018 and a record low of 5248.90 USD in 1967. The GDP per capita is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by inflation, by the total population. This page provides - Uruguay GDP per capita - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Uruguay was last recorded at 20916.20 US dollars in 2018, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Uruguay, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 118 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita PPP in Uruguay averaged 14624.22 USD from 1990 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 20916.20 USD in 2018 and a record low of 9841.90 USD in 1990. The GDP per capita PPP is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by purchasing power parity, by the total population. This page provides - Uruguay GDP per capita PPP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Government Debt in Singapore increased to 641094.30 SGD Million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 612971.40 SGD Million in the third quarter of 2019. Government Debt in Singapore averaged 234324.80 SGD Million from 1990 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 641094.30 SGD Million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a record low of 47443.50 SGD Million in the first quarter of 1990. This page provides - Singapore Government Debt- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gross Fixed Capital Formation in Morocco increased to 314963 MAD Million in 2018 from 302226 MAD Million in 2017. Gross Fixed Capital Formation in Morocco averaged 75401.06 MAD Million from 1952 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 314963 MAD Million in 2018 and a record low of 690 MAD Million in 1957. This page provides - Morocco Gross Fixed Capital Formation - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This seminar aimed to advance shared understandings on policies to make the most of cross-border capital flows in support of growth and development and on the value of international co-operation, including the OECD Codes of Liberalisation, in the current context of serious global financial turbulence.

This report advances a “green investment policy framework” taking infrastructure investment as a starting point and looking only at climate change mitigation and adaptation. It highlights the significant opportunities and many challenges that exist today in both developed and developing countries to transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient (LCR) development through investment in both renovated and in new infrastructure.

This paper addresses several broad issues for governments aiming to encourage private sector investment in low-carbon climate resilient (LCR) infrastructure, in both developed and developing world contexts.

This conference in Nairobi, Kenya, addressed specific issues relating to financial literacy in Africa and the MENA region. It presented the output of the Russia/OECD/World Bank Trust Fund on Financial Literacy and Education.

This article summarises discussions from a financial roundtable addressing concerns about structural flaws in the way banks operate and are being regulated and supervised in the wake of on-going banking sector problems involving financial fraud and banking scandals.

The implications of the European sovereign debt crisis for Asia, the globalisation of the funding of investments and the contribution of long-term institutional investors to growth were amongst the topics explored at the 2013 Tokyo Roundtable.

The management of operational risk is at the heart of efficient government, but countries often fail to apply good or even routine operational risk management practices and have difficulty in understanding how to put the processes in place. This paper sets out a widely-applicable and relevant policy approach and management framework and illustrates its practical application in Turkey.

The OECD provides an update on global economy in this statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee - April 2013.

The paper argues that interest rates are at extremely low levels to support banks, and the search for yield has pushed the liquidity driven speculative bubble from real estate, derivatives and structured products markets into the corporate debt market. Equities have rallied strongly too. This asset cycle is certainly helping banks reduce hidden losses on illiquid securities and could also help reduce the cost of equity.

This seminar took place in Palembang, Indonesia, with discussions focusing on institutional investors and long-term financing and policy measures and initiatives to address constraints to infrastructure investment identified by APEC under the Indonesian presidency.

At their meetings on 19-20 September 2013, APEC Finance Ministers welcomed a survey report prepared by the OECD on disaster risk financing practices in the Asia Pacific region.

This paper looks at macro-prudential policies in the light of empirical evidence on the determinants of bank systemic risk, and the effectiveness of capital controls. It concludes that complexity and interdependence is such that care should be taken in implementing macro-prudential policies until much more is understood about these issues.

This paper investigates whether countries that had controls on inflows in place prior to the crisis were less vulnerable during the global financial crisis. More generally, it examines economic growth effects of such controls over the entire economic cycle, finding that capital restrictions on inflows (particularly debt liabilities) may be useful in good times but may have adverse effects in a crisis.

Discussions at the 14th roundtable focussed on quantitative easing (QE) tapering to Asia, financial regulatory reforms, financial liberalisation and fragmenting growth, long-term investment for infrastructure, financial inclusion and disaster risk financing in insurance and financial markets.

Held in Amsterdam on 7 April 2014, this workshop focused on: long-term pension investment strategies under risk-based regulation; riskiness and pro-cyclicality in pension asset allocation; and, regulatory challenges for long-term illiquid assets.

This G20 report looks at the evolution of private institutional investment in infrastructure and examines how the market has developed; analyses various investment vehicles with a snapshot of the growth experienced in the market; categorises methods used for investing in infrastructure; and, highlights the challenges and barriers to investment.

This seminar took place in Dalian, China, with discussions focusing on institutional investors and long-term financing and policy measures and initiatives to address constraints to infrastructure investment identified by APEC under the Chinese presidency.

This blog post by Sony Kapoor, Managing Director, Re-Define International Think Tank, gives his view on why the OECD – which uniquely houses financial, development, infrastructure and environmental expertise under one roof – must take charge of promoting long-term investment in developing country infrastructure.

This paper analyses the effects of government policies on flows of private finance for investment in renewable energy. It also examines whether direct provision of public finance for a project increases the volume of private finance raised. The analysis covers 87 countries, six renewable energy sectors (wind, solar, biomass, small hydropower, marine and geothermal).

Low growth, low interest rates and low returns on investment linked to the slow global economy are now compounding the problems of population ageing for both public and private pension systems, according to a new OECD report.

The global economy continues to run at low speed and many countries, particularly in Europe, seem unable to overcome the legacies of the crisis. With high unemployment, high inequality and low trust still weighing heavily, it is imperative to swiftly implement reforms that boost demand and employment and raise potential growth.

This roundtable offers a forum for regulators, policy-makers, experts, practitioners, scholars and international organisations to discuss issues relating to capital market reform in Asia.

This report responds to a request from the G20 that the IMF and OECD assess whether further work is needed on their respective approaches to measures which are both macro-prudential and capital flow measures, taking into account their individual mandates. The report was transmitted to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors at their meeting on 16-17 April 2015 in Washington D.C.

As part of continuing efforts to support market confidence and business integrity, the OECD has launched in Asia a new set of corporate governance principles that were endorsed at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in September 2015.

2 December 2015 - The global financial and economic crisis of 2008 left the international monetary system with vulnerabilities caused by volatile capital flows and spillovers from national policy responses. The current policy environment has moved multilateral co-operation, openness and transparency to the top of the capital flow policy agenda.

Further structural reforms are needed to help the business sector boost productivity growth and overcome the key challenges of sluggish investment in advanced economies and excess capacity in emerging economies, according to a new OECD report.