CUL1010E, Managing Cultural Diversity, TBA, TBA CUL1020E, Development and Culture, TBA, TBA DEV2130E, Urban Development Policy: Sustainable Urban Development Theory, H. Suzuki, Summer
This course will introduce varying policies, theories and methodologies for promoting sustainable urban develop- ment. In this course, sustainable urban development is defined as urban development which aims to achieve both economic development and environment presser- vation simultaneously, while paying close attention to the synergy and interdependency between them.
DEV2500E, Infrastructure and Regional Developm ent: Lessons from the Past, Ieda, Spring
LAND is the wide-rage field where people create community and live along with the nature, and on which infrastructure such as road or waterway etc. shoulder industry and people’s life. They have been created and managed by a sort of centralized power like realms and governments with particular wills, as well as decentralized activities of individuals. This course will discuss how human being has been struggling to find the narrow way to achieve the better future under the limited natural and social conditions through an comprehensive and extensive case methods.
*DMP (Disaster Management Program) courses will appear in the end of the list.
ECO1000EA, Microeconomics I, Xing, Fall(Session I)
This is an introduction of microeconomics. It covers basic economic assumptions and concepts used to define the behaviors of consumers and firms in a market. The course consists of three parts: consumer theory, firm theory and the equilibrium in a competitive market. In the consumer theory, preference, utility, budget constraints, utility maximization and demand curves will be introduced. In the firm theory, production and cost functions, profit maximization, and supply curves will be discussed. Finally, the concept and the determination of the equilibrium will be analyzed.
ECO1000EB, Microeconomics I, Wie, Fall (Session I)
This course will present the basic theory of analytical tools of microeconomics. The course begins with the neoclassical models of consumer and firm optimization and moves on to the market coordination of these indivi- dual decisions. While the course emphasizes basic theory, ample applications will be presented to demonstrate how the tools can be used in a variety of contexts.
ECO1020E,Essential Microeconomics,Yamauchi, Fall
How do markets work? How do markets set prices, determine what will be produced, how they will be produced, and decide who will get the goods? What should governments do in a market economy? This is an introductory microeconomics course, for those with no previous economics background in particular, which tries to obtain answers to these questions. We will study a concise, consistent methodology for understanding and predicting the economic behavior of people and firms in a variety of markets. The tools developed in this course will prepare you for upper-level courses, as well as for intelligent discussion of issues under public debate.
ECO1060EA, Macroeconomics I, Rhodes,Fall (session I)
This course is an introduction to modern macroeconomic theory from a policy perspective. The course uses economic models as a way of formalizing ideas about macroeconomic issues and problems. Our primary focus is the aggregate behavior of a competitive market economy in the classical “long run.” The course offers insights into the behavior of such important phenomenon as inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, unemployment, and long-term economic growth.
ECO1060EB,MacroeconomicsI, Porapakkarm, Fall(session I)
This is a first course in the macroeconomics sequence. The course will cover broad topics relating to major macroeconomic variables; eg. money supply, inflation, unemployment, economic growth. Given that these variables can be changed over time and different across countries, we will use simple macroeconomic models to illustrate the underlying mechanism behind the change and difference.
ECO1080E, Essential Macroeconomics,Nakamura,Winter
This course is an introductory macroeconomics course for students who have not taken a serious economics course in the past. It focuses on the topics of short-run problems of economic stability, but growth economics will be briefly taken up.
ECO1600E, Monetary Economics(Money and Banking),
Fujimoto, Fall
This course aims to provide an overview of money and banking. The course will discuss both theoretical and institutional issues related to banks and other financial institutions, financial markets, and monetary policy.
ECO1900E, Global Economic History, Sugihara, Fall
This course surveys the recent literature on global economic history, by discussing its intellectual back- ground and by linking it to relevant regional and national historiographies and their themes. Reference will be made to the theory of multiple paths of economic deve- lopment, which suggests that, in contrast to the diffu- sionist thesis that global economic development origina- tes from modernization and industrialization of the West, there existed long-term regional development paths. The history of globalization itself will be discussed from this perspective, in the light of a new emphasis on the role of regional dynamism as an engine of globalization. By so doing, the course aims at a deeper understanding of the historical context in which Japan, Asia and other regions of the world had been placed for the last few centuries.
ECO2000EA, MicroeconomicsII,Xing,Fall(Session II)
In this course, we incorporate information, time and uncertainty into the decision processes of economic agents and analyze the equilibra of imperfect market. Particularly, we will discuss how economic agents make optimal decisions when they face uncertainty, asym- metric information, and choices of consumption over time. In addition, we will introduce basic concepts of game theory and its applications in economics.
ECO2000EB, Microeconomics II,Wie, Fall(Session II)
This second session course addresses the broad methodological topics of game theory, information economics, and general equilibrium model. We start with general equilibrium model and move on to game theory and information economics. This course is designed for the dual purposes of giving students a systematic grounding in microeconomics and preparing them to use economic models in their own research.
ECO2020EA, Government and Market, Hasegawa, Winter
The objective of this course is to acquire an in-depth understanding of the economic roles of government in a modern, market-based society. We seek to understand what governments should do (or should not do), what should be left to the market and to private individuals, and what would be the consequences of gov. policies. This course will help you to apply the principles and knowledge of microeconomics to current policy issues. The objective of this course is to acquire an in-depth understanding of the economic roles of government in a modern, market-based society. We seek to understand what governments should do (or should not do), what should be left to the market and to private individuals, and what would be the consequences of government policies. This course will help you to apply the principles and knowledge of microeconomics to current policy issues.
ECO2020EB, Government and Market, Hatanaka, Winter
The objective of this course is to obtain skills to think of various kinds of policies in democratic countries, using economic logic or theory. First we will review market failure briefly and treat the various kinds of policies to maximize the social welfare and to relieve inequality, such as environmental policy, public enterprise, social insurance, anti-trust policy and so on. In the lectures, I will not use math or equations but figures. We focus on the concept or the economic thinking of policies.
ECO2060EA, Macroeconomics II,Rhodes,Fall (Ses.II)
This course is an introduction to business cycle theory from a policy perspective. Using a variety of economic models, we study the nature and sources of macroecono- mic fluctuations and potential policy responses. The pri- mary analytical tool is general equilibrium (GE) analysis (IS-LM framework) applied to both closed and open eco- nomies. We examine the response of macroeconomic va- riables to various market “shocks” and to monetary, fiscal, and trade policies.
ECO2060EB,MacroeconomicsII,Fujimoto,Fall(Ses.II)
This is the second course in the macroeconomics sequence. The course will cover broad topics, mostly related to short-run behaviors of the economy.
ECO2610E,Finance and Economic Growth,TBA,TBA
ECO2620E, Macroeconomic Management in Devel opment, Nakata, Fall
This course intends to offer participants the practical understanding on the basic framework for analyzing macroeconomic management policy issues, especially in developing and emerging economies’ context.
ECO2720EA, Introduction to Applied Econometrics, Leon-Gonzales, Fall
The module aims to develop econometric and computa- tional skills and their application in modern economic analysis. The module provides students with basic know- ledge of statistical concepts and then progresses towards regression analysis, cross-section and time series models. Emphasis is always on the correct application of these methods to economic data. Examples of applications are given in lectures and computer sessions. Students are required to write a short econometric project as part of the final assessment.
ECO2720EB, Introduction to Applied Econometrics, Wie, Fall
Econometrics is the useful methodology of economics and other social studies. This course aims to introduce students to multiple regression and related methods to analyze data and connect data from the real world to economic models. We start by learning linear regression model which is widely used tool for economists. Additio- nally, we will study methods for panel data analysis, regression with binary variables, instrumental variables regression, and regression with time series data. This course focuses on developing practical methodology and applying them to real data using STATA. The mathema- tics of econometrics will be introduced only as needed and will not be a central focus.
ECO2760E, Applied Time Series Analysis for Macroeconomics, Baak, Spring (Session I)
The purpose of this course is two folds. The first is to teach students time series econometric and compu- tational skills so that they can better understand extant research papers in the area of macroeconomics. The second is to help students to undertake their own time series analyses using the skills obtained in the course. The econometric skills taught in the course will include Tests for non-linearity, Co-integration Test, VAR, Error Correction Model. It will be illustrated how these skills can be used to explore issues in the area of Macroecono- mics. Much emphasis of the course is placed on the applications of the skills to some macroeco issues.
ECO2800E, Global Development Agendas and Japan's ODA, TBA, Spring
ECO2820E, Gender and Development, Estudillo, Spring (Session I)
Gender disparities in health and education, economic opportunities, voice and agency are pervasive throughout the developing world although progress toward equality has been attained in some areas. This course explores the multifaceted aspects of gender inequality, find out where gender gaps have been closed, and identify priority areas to close the gender gaps.
ECO2860E, Poverty Alleviation, Estudillo, Spring (Session II)
Poverty alleviation represents the most important promise of the world to the most vulnerable people since the signing of the Millennium Declaration in Sep. 2000. In this course, we will explore the multifaceted aspects of poverty and identify priority areas to reduce poverty.
ECO2870E, Strategy for Economic Development, Otsuka, Spring
The purpose of this class is to analyze how to design effective strategy to develop agriculture and manufac- turing industries to reduce poverty in low-income countries. Firstly, it is shown that while the income level of the economy is a major determinant of the incidence of poverty, it is determined by the development of agriculture and industries. Secondly, an inquiry is made into the process of agricultural and industrial develop- ment. Thirdly, an attempt will be made to demonstrate how agricultural and industrial development can be promoted by policy means. Finally, we discuss how to achieve economic development for poverty reduction without worsening climate change.
ECO2880E, Trade and Industrial Development, Sonobe, Spring
This course offers an introduction to the process of industrial development in developing countries. It begins by reviewing standard theories of firms, international trade, market failures, and technology transfers. Students are encouraged to read and discuss case studies of the development of different industries in different countries and the results of several randomized controlled trials of management training. Toward the end of the course, we will synthesize these previous studies and discuss strategies of industrial development. Detailed schedule will be given in the first session.
ECO2890E, Project Cycle Management and Intern ational Development Evaluation, TBA, TBA ECO2900E, Game Theory, Ishihara, Winter
This is an intermediate course in game theory. Game theory is broadly recognized as an important analytical tool in social science and other fields. The aim is to learn frameworks of game theory and apply them to under- stand strategic interaction and information problem.
ECO3000E, Mathematics for Economic Analysis, Munro, Fall
The aim of this course is to give students a mathematical background necessary for studying and working in eco- nomics. The course will cover basic analytical methods with a particular emphasis on static optimization, but will also introduce basic matrix analysis and dynamic optimi- zation. The emphasis is firmly on the application of mathematical ideas to specific economic problems.
ECO3100E, Theory of Public Finance, Ihori, Winter
In “Theory of Public Finance”, you will learn both expenditure side and revenue side analysis of public finance theory.
ECO3110E, Fiscal Reform in Japan, Ota, Winter
In this course, we will discuss the current problems with Japan’s public finance policy and the necessary reforms to address them. Japan’s public finance faces several important issues. First, making a fiscal consolidation plan to lower the huge amount of government debt is urgent. We will review factors of financial deterioration, Japan’s budgeting system, and efforts for fiscal consolidation. Second, amid rapid population aging, implementing social security reform is difficult but very important. Although an excellent social security system was established in Japan after World War II, it now requires reforms to overcome rapid population aging. We discuss problems and reforms of the medical care system and pension system. Third, taxation reform in response to globalization and population aging is vital.
In addition to the aforementioned issues, we will discuss other important issues such as local public finance, privatization, and public loan programs in Japan.
Learning about these Japanese experiences in the field of public finance may be of value to your country. Students will be encouraged to discuss and analyze issues and problems in their own countries.
ECO3130E, Economics of Tax Policy, Hasegawa,Spring
The objectives of this course is to acquire an in-depth understanding of the principles of taxation and the economics tools to analyze tax systems and policies. The final goal of this course is to apply the principles and tools to current tax policy issues as well as to funda- mental policy reform options.
ECO3140E, Public Economics, TBA, Spring
This course provides an introduction to the role of the government and public sector in the economy.
ECO3150E, Local Public Finance, Kook, Spring
This course introduces basic functions of central and local gov. The course aims to understand the practices of local public finance in Japan as well as theoretical aspects on fiscal activities of local gov. In theoretical aspects, we deal with the decentralization theorem and its limitation, the optimal size of local authorities, the gains from fiscal decision-making at a local level, the topics of local tax revenue & user charges, and intergovernmental fiscal relations. While we mainly make use of the tools from the viewpoint of public finance theory, we also introduces the viewpoint of public choice approach.
ECO3160E, Reform of Economic Policy in Japan, Ota, Spring
In this course, we will discuss issues and problems in making economic policy and reforming public finance in Japan. To achieve sustainable growth amid population decline, an economic growth strategy and fiscal reform are both indispensable for Japan. These can be compared to the two wheels of a cart in the sense that both of these must be promoted at the same time.
ECO3170E, Labor Economics, TBA, TBA ECO3180E, Health Economics, TBA, TBA
ECO3190E, Economics of Education and Labor,TBA,TBA
ECO3200E, Economics of Law, Hatanaka, Spring
This course aims at examining laws by using applied microeconomic theory and provides you with the main logic of economic theory to understand the roles of laws. The objective of this course is (1) to evaluate systems or laws in the sense of social welfare (2) to legislate in order to maximize the social welfare. So each provision of laws is not treated in this course. In addition we will treat the problems of corruption.
ECO3210E, Competition and Regulatory Economics, M. Tanaka, Spring
This course examines firms and industries from the perspectives of industrial organization and regulatory economics. First, we discuss oligopoly and monopoly, with an emphasis on oligopoly theory. Our primary focus will be the strategic behavior of firms. We next discuss the effect of government regulations, focusing on price regulation of public utilities. This course also serves as a foundation course to prepare students for further study in the area of advanced industrial organization and regulatory economics. Knowledge of microeconomics is desirable.
ECO3300E, Urban Economics, R. Okamoto, Spring
This course is intended for second-year Ph.D. students or over (not for master’s). This course introduces major theoretical and empirical analyses selected in the field of urban economics. The students are supposed to have knowledge of std. microeconomics for Ph.D. students.
ECO3310E, Transportation Economics, Kidokoro, Winter
The purpose of this lecture is to understand the basic theory of transport economics and to apply the method to actual transport policies.
ECO3340E, Urban Development and Real Estate Policy, TBA, TBA
ECO3400E, International Trade, Hsu, Spring (Ses. I)
This course will introduce basic concepts, tools and facts to understand the flow of goods across countries, i.e. international trade. We will investigate why nations trade, what they trade, and who gains from international trade. We will also analyze countries' motives for regulating international trade and the effects of such policies on economic welfare.
ECO3450E, International Finance, Xing, Winter
This course introduces basic concepts, tools and facts to understand international financial markets and open economies. It focuses on the theory of exchange rates, the balance of payments and major policies related with open economies. The IS-LM model is used to analyze the dynamics of output, monetary policy and exchange rates. Exchange rate regimes and macroeconomic impacts are also discussed.
ECO3460E, Global Economy, Monetary Policy and Central Banking, Kinoshita, Spring
The series of financial crises we have experienced in the past seven years have expanded the roles central banks play in the global economy. In this light, this course intends to provide a factual description of modern-day central banks and their policy actions.
The lecture will primarily cover the practical and institutional aspects of central banking, based on the instructor’s experience working at the Bank of Japan. But, in order to facilitate and deepen the students’