| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13293:[2025 Spring]IR18‐GE204 Japanese Economy (RA) § 13294:IR-FS204 Japanese Economy (RA) § 13295:RUIR-2614 Japanese Economy(RA) | 2025 | Spring | Mon5 | College Of International Relations | TOKUMARU HIROSHI | 2 |
Campus
Class Venue
Language
Course Outline and Method
Japan emerged as the first non-Western industrialized state and became the second largest power in the world economy. However, after the collapse of the asset price bubble in the 1990s, the Japanese economy stagnated over a long term - Japan’s lost decade(s). Furthermore, the country has been facing rapid population aging and other structural problems. Thus, in this course, students will learn lessons from Japan’s economic success and failure.
This course will keep a non-technical profile; mathematical skills beyond simple algebra and graphical analysis are not required.
This course employs the instructor's practical knowledge of economic management, based on his work experience at the Bank of Japan, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.
When necessary, the course content/schedule/delivery format will be modified to better serve the educational needs of the class.
【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.
Student Attainment Objectives
1) gain insight into recent and prospective economic developments in Japan;
2) learn lessons from Japan's success and failure;
3) discuss logically current issues in the economy.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1 | Overview of the Course and "+R Lecture" |
|
|
| 2 | Key Macroeconomic Indicators and Basic Economic Concepts |
Consumer Price Index (CPI), Demand, Equilibrium, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Market, Price, Supply, Unemployment Rate |
|
| 3 | Historical Background of the Japanese Economy |
Economic Development, Education, Feudal System, Human Capital, Literacy Rate, Meiji Restration, Modernization |
|
| 4, 5 | Japan's Miracle - High Economic Growth in the 1960s |
Plant and Equipment Investment, Physical Capital, Productivity, Stable Growth, Supply Shock, Technological Innovation |
|
| 6 | Japanese-Style Management |
Bulk Hiring of New Graduates, Collective Decision Making, Lifetime Employment Practice, Ranking by Seniority |
|
| 7, 8 | Development and Collapse of the Speculative Bubble |
Asset Price Bubble, Banking Crisis, Deflation, Non-Performing Loans, Real Estate, Regulatory Forbearance |
|
| 9, 10 | Japan's External Sector |
Balance of Payments, Current Account, Exports, Foreign Direct Investment, Imports |
|
| 11 | Japan's Fiscal Affairs |
Budget Deficit, Fiscal Policy, Government Bond, Public Debt, Taxation |
|
| 12, 13 | Japan: The Case of a Shrinking Country |
Aging, Dualism, Fertility Rate, Income Inequality, Labor Market, Structural Reform |
|
| 14 | Wrap-up: Lessons from and Future of the Japanese Economy - Will the Sun Rise Again? |
|
Class Format
Recommendations for Private Study
Students are encouraged to review what they have learned in class; each new section of this course will be based on the contents learned in the earlier sessions. This will ensure that students build up their knowledge and benefit from the course at the maximum.
Students are encouraged to keep themselves up-to-date through newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.
Grade Evaluation Method
| Kind | Percentage | Grading Criteria etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Final Examination (Written) | ||
| Report Examination (A report to be submitted by the unified deadline) |
||
| Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment (Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class) |
100 | Term paper - 70%
|
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
The paper will count for 70% (70 points) of the whole grade. What students turn in should represent his/her own work that provides evidence of his/her understanding what they learn in the course. Detailed Instructions for the paper will be provided in class.
Students can earn up to 15 points (15% of the whole grade) by successfully completing short answer questions. These questions will be designed to help students understand key topics. Each question will take no more than 15 minutes.
Class participation will count for 15% (15 points) of the whole grade. Attendance will be taken and it will be incorporated in the grade.
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
Regular attendance is not required but strongly recommended. In this course, each new section will be based on the concepts learned in the earlier sections. Students will be unable to understand the current lectures unless they understood the previous lectures. In addition, students should be responsible for any notes and announcements that he/she may have missed if he/she fails to attend class.
In order to run the class smoothly, disturbing behavior will not be tolerated. All students are expected to conduct themselves with courtesy, diligence, honesty, and integrity.
Students should be honest in all of their academic work. Evidence of academic misconduct such as cheating, plagiarism, and proxy attendance may result in an F-grade and/or an academic disciplinary action in accordance with the College's rules.
The official language of this course is English. Students may communicate with the instructor in Japanese outside/after class.
The course materials are for your own use and may not be publicly disclosed in any form or manner whatsoever.
manaba+R will be used for general class announcements. Class cancellations/changes will be posted on manaba+R.
Students who may need special consideration and/or have concerns with the class are encouraged to contact the instructor at his/her earliest convenience to discuss his/her needs with the College Office and the Office of Student Affairs as necessary.
Textbooks
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
Reference Books
Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）
Web Pages for Reference
International Monetary Fund http://www.imf.org
Japan External Trade Organization http://www.jetro.go.jp
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry http://www.meti.go.jp
Ministry of Finance http://www.mof.go.jp
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development http://www.oecd.org
World Bank http://www.worldbank.org
World Trade Organization http://www.wto.org
How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)
Other Comments
The instructor's email address is "hirotoku@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp".
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/