For the first Macro Salon of 2024, Jesper and Bill was joined by one of Japan's top political writers, Keiko Iizuka. As the new year began with many questions about Japanese markets and the economy, they discussed this alongside the current doubts surrounding the longevity of the Kishida administration following a recent spate of political financing scandals which has forced a reshuffle of the cabinet.

Keiko Iizuka is Senior Political Writer at The Yomiuri Shimbun and lead commentator for the nightly news program “News in Depth (Shinso News)” on the BS4 channel. Her expertise is international relations specially focusing on Asia-Pacific, Japan-U.S. relations, and European affairs. She was a London Correspondent from 2003 to 2006, covering British politics, the Iraq War, and various political and security related news topics. She covered the Iraq War as a reporter embedded with the British Forces. Between 2017 and 2019 she was based in London as senior political writer, covering European affairs, and has held several other positions at the paper including chief editor for international news (2015-2017), Washington Bureau Chief (2013-2015) and chief political correspondent at the Prime Minister’s office (2006-2007).