RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY

Since 2002, the school has offered the Master’s Program in Economic Development (MPED). Taught entirely in English by international faculty members with a wealth of overseas experience, this program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to contribute at a high level to the economic and social development of their home countries. In addition to in-class learning, students participate in seminars that further hone their research abilities while receiving ongoing guidance from their professors. Upon submitting their thesis, students must take oral examinations where they will be judged overall to determine whether they have reached an academic level deserving of a master’s degree in economic development.

 

Upon completing their studies and research activities, students will acquire:

1. A solid base of knowledge on economic theory and analytical skills that will enable them to become experts in economic and social development policies.
2. The abilities to critically analyze and reform policies, and working collaboratively with international organizations on developmental issues.
3. Sufficient knowledge to critically evaluate the positive and negative aspects of Japan’s past and present post-war economy in order to draw comparisons to, understand, and analyze their own country’s economic situation.
4. The communication skills required for international conferences, international organizations and international cooperation.

 

1. Graduate School of Economics
   The Graduate School of Economics aims to develop highly promising professionals with expertise in economics
2. Master's Program in Economic Development (MPED).
   Instructed entirely in English, the Master's Program in Economic Development provides an education in economics that adheres to international standards and aims to cultivate interculturally-minded professionals with highly specialized skills, who can play an active role on the global stage. In addition to offering education for international students, the program also targets aspiring Japanese economists who desire to impact the global economic stage.

 

The Graduate School of Economics aims to develop researchers and specialists with a professional competence in economics, broad perspective, and international communication ability. In order to meet the diverse needs of students who have various specialized fields of study, we offer three courses in our Master's program:

1. Economic Theory and Policy Course (taught in Japanese)
2. Tax and Financial Affairs Course (taught in Japanese)
3. Master's Program in Economic Development (MPED) (taught in English)

In order to achieve the professional development objectives in each course, we seek applicants with highly-specialized expertise in economics, applied economics, and related fields, as well as English communication ability. Applicants should be prepared to approach their research from new and creative perspectives, aspire to highly-specialized positions, and have a desire to apply the results of their education and research to their careers for the benefit of society.

 

After graduation, students are generally expected to:

1. Engage in national government and state-enterprise planning, policymaking, economic analysis, and international relations.
2. Be involved in the coordination of regional economic development through local governments, NGOs, and related international organizations.
3. Be involved in economic research and education at universities and research organizations, formulate economic strategy proposals, and foster leaders of the next generation.
4. Pass through a doctoral course and become a researcher or international public servant who plays an active role at an international level.

 

Faculty and Advisors

AGATSUMA Nobuhiko	Professor	Environmental Economics, Economic Policy
FURUKAWA Akira	Professor	Research on contemporary Japanese economy
HATA Katsu	Professor	Financial Economics
INABA Kazuo	Professor	Empirical studies of Japanese corporate overseas activities
IZAWA Hiroshi	Professor	Theoretical and empirical analysis of Japanese financial systems
KAJIYAMA Naoki	Professor	International Finance
KOIKE Yoichi	Professor	Development Economics
MATSUBARA Toyohiko	Professor	Agriculture and agribusiness in Canada and Japan
OKAWA Masayuki	Professor	International economics, theory of international trade and trade policy
SHIMADA Koji	Professor	Environmental policy
TANIGAKI Kazuori	Professor	Economic Theory
YOSHIDA Chisato	Professor	International economics, Microeconomics
ZHENG Xiao-Ping	Professor	Urban and Regional Economics, Regional Science
LEE Kang-kook	Associate Professor	Macroeconomics, International Finance
SAKATA Kei	Associate Professor	Labor Economics, Applied Economics
TERAWAKI Taku	Associate Professor	Applied Statistics