An Introduction to the Japanese Economy

Shinji TAKAGI (Graduate School of Economics)

Objective
   The course is an introduction to the history, institutions, and contemporary issues of the Japanese economy. The discussion of the post-WWII reforms of the late 1940s and the high growth period of the 1950s and 60s will be rather brief. Much of the focus of the course will be placed on the transformation of the Japanese economy during the past few decades in the context of its interactions with the world economy. There will be 10 lectures broadly covering the topics listed below (subject to some variations). In addition, field trips are planned to the Osaka Securities Exchange, a major industrial firm, a major trading company, and possibly one or two more places of educational value.

Course Outline
  1. Pre-WWII Economic Development and Post-WWII Reforms
  2. Pre-WWII Economic Development and Post-WWII Reforms
  3. Exchange, Trade, Financial and Capital Liberalization
  4. Exchange Rate Policy
  5. Macroeconomic Policies and Institutions
  6. Problems of Agriculture
  7. Labor and Industrial Relations
  8. Japanese Industries
  9. Reforms and Policies during the Lost Decade
  10. Japan, Asia, and the Developing World

  There will be a mid-term exam, a final exam, and two or three field trips (which may not be held on regularly scheduled class days for logistical reasons).

Readings
  A full list of reading assignments will be provided at the beginning of the first lecture.

Grading
  Class participation 25%
  Mid-term exam 25%
  Final exam 25%
  Term paper 25%