Harald Conrad

Dr. Harald Conrad is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Japanese Studies at the University of Sheffield’s School of Languages, Arts and Societies. Previously, he served as Sasakawa Lecturer in Japan’s Economy and Management, Research Fellow and Deputy Director at the German Institute for Japanese Studies, and Associate Professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. His research focuses on Japanese social policy, industrial relations, human resource management, and economic impacts of demographic change. He directs the 'Business, Political Economy and Development' cluster at the White Rose East Asia Centre and contributes to editorial boards of journals like Contemporary Japan and Japan Forum.

His research interests include Japanese and comparative social policy, cross-cultural negotiation, and corporate pension systems. Notable projects examine recruitment practices of Japanese multinationals, labor union dynamics, and UK institutional investors’ perspectives on Japanese equities.

His publications span books like The Japanese Social Security System in Transition and over 30 journal articles analyzing topics from antique art trade economics to corporate governance. His recent work emphasizes globalization’s impact on Japanese HR practices and demographic challenges in aging societies.

Dr. Conrad has held roles including Japan Representative for the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation (2005–2008) and Council Member of the European Association of Japanese Studies (2005–2011). His interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, economics, and policy analysis to address contemporary issues in East Asian studies.