Foster creativity and leadership in a Practical learning seminar
Most of the seminars in the Faculty of Economics emphasize "Practical learning" with the theme of the current state of the Japanese economy and the actual situation of corporate management. In the process of digging deeper into the theme through fieldwork and data analysis, you will develop creativity, presentation ability, and leadership in addition to the specialized knowledge of economics, and acquire solid and useful power in society.
Economics
Specialized Fields
International Finance, Foreign Exchange Market
Main research contents
By actually predicting the USD/JPY exchange rate yourself, you will learn about the economic mechanisms behind it and the global political and economic situation.
Seminar Introduction
By continuously following the movement of the dollar-yen exchange rate for a year and reading and discussing the Nikkei newspaper, securities magazines, and other sources every week, students will learn international finance and macroeconomics in a concrete and practical way.
By predicting the USD/JPY exchange rate yourself, you can put your knowledge of international finance and macroeconomics into practice.
It also has an aspect of practical financial education, and we hope that it will serve as an opportunity or starting point for lifelong learning.
Research into corporate investment behavior, which is important for the sustainable growth of the Japanese economy
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, we will deepen our understanding of the issues facing the Japanese economy and use economics to consider the economic policies necessary to solve these issues. The course is divided into the following three parts: In the first part, students will read literature together to learn about the current state and challenges of the Japanese economy. In the second part, students will be divided into groups and debate the merits and demerits of specific economic policies. Through debates, students will develop the ability to see things from different angles by pitting different opinions, both for and against, and will learn about the side effects of policies as well as their positive aspects. In the third part, students will choose a topic that interests them and present a summary of the economic policy in group work. Statistical data is important for analyzing the real economy. We aim for down-to-earth discussions based on data.
Industrial promotion policy, Small and medium-sized enterprise theory
Main research contents
Empirical research into the economic activities of companies and governments under diverse economic environments
Seminar Introduction
Economic activity is made up of three entities: households, corporations, and governments. In this seminar, students will learn about corporate activities and local government (government) policies together, and deepen their insight into economic activity as a whole by understanding the role each plays in the economy and their mutual relationships. They will also compare economic activity in different regions, such as depopulated areas and commuter towns. They will develop the ability to interpret the diverse economic realities of the Japanese economy by focusing on the development stage, challenges, and "differences" in the efforts of each region, analyzing materials and data, and conducting on-site research. They will also focus on corporate activities rooted in the community, learning about the roles and development possibilities of medium-sized and small-sized enterprises, not limited to large companies, and deepen their understanding of corporate activity in Japan as a whole.
Examination of forestry and forest development processes in Asia
Seminar Introduction
Students learn about the SDGs from the perspective of environmental economics, and as a way of putting this into practice, we cooperate with the NPO "TABLE FOR TWO International" to provide healthy meals in the school cafeteria with donations in order to raise funds for school lunches for children in developing countries. We also work with companies to carry out on-campus recycling activities. Through these activities, we aim to improve students' basic social skills and support them in pursuing their desired career path (employment or further education). In 2025, we will work with other universities to participate in a "Tokyo Metropolitan Government and University Joint Project," and are also working to promote the local area by developing menus that make use of local specialties.
Research on the current status and issues of social security in Japan and the world
Seminar Introduction
In this seminar, we will learn about social security, which is indispensable to our lives. By learning not only the current state of social security in Japan, but also its historical background and global trends, we will understand the issues facing social security in Japan from a broad perspective and develop the ability to think about solutions. Specifically, after acquiring basic knowledge of social security by carefully reading literature, students will explore topics of interest individually or in groups, and give presentations and discussions. Students will cooperate with each other to deepen their learning and hone their communication skills. We hope that through seminar activities, each student will think seriously about the future of society and seize the opportunity to take action.
Research on environmental issues and economy, energy issues and economy, renewable energy, etc.
Seminar Introduction
At Ohira Seminar, seminar students play a central role in researching environmental and energy issues. They will decide research themes based on the interests of seminar students, compile papers, and make a presentaion. When proceeding with research, we focus on local initiatives. For example, we are conscious of what we can do in the region and what kind of efforts can contribute to the region for global problems such as global warming. In addition, we plan to proceed with research on renewable energy in Fukushima Prefecture, which is making various efforts as a "pioneer of renewable energy", and study local efforts through fieldwork.
Sustainable town development utilizing tourism in depopulating areas
Seminar Introduction
At this seminar, we will research to energize the area through tourism. At the beginning of the semester, the seminer students select the target area and conduct fieldwork multiple times to extract problems and issues that the area has. Based on the results, we will implement measures that the seminer students can take the initiative in. In this seminar, the seminer students are divided into teams to clarify the division of roles, and the project is systematically proceeded under each leader. In fact, while changing the direction according to the issues in the region or suffering from the project not progressing well, we always stop and discuss. From these experiences, we aim not only to acquire knowledge of tourism or town development, but also to acquire the skills that is required from society, such as team building or project management.
Legislative process theory/Legislative technology theory
Seminar Introduction
Making use of his many years of practical experience working in organizations in the Diet, such as the House of Representatives Legislative Bureau and the National Diet Library, he is conducting research on bills made by members of parliament in Japan, the legislative process of constitutions in other countries, and the voting methods for amendments made by members of parliament. Examples of research topics include, "What measures do other countries take to ensure representation in each region in lower house elections?" and "How have the voting rules for amendments that change the wording of bills under deliberation been formed and developed in other countries' parliamentary rules?" In addition, in the second-year seminar, fieldwork is conducted on the theme of "What are the systems surrounding regional development human resources such as regional revitalization cooperation volunteers?" and the results are compiled in posters and reports.
Solving local issues through innovation and business planning techniques
Seminar Introduction
The external environment surrounding the region is undergoing major changes, including a declining birthrate and aging population, and digital transformation. Following precedent will only lead to an increased sense of stagnation. In this seminar, with the theme of "Designing Innovations to Invigorate Local Communities," students will explore the causes of problems faced by local communities and local businesses, and learn methodologies for devising solutions through group exercises. Students will develop the ability to identify problems, the creativity to solve them, the communication skills to collaborate with others, and the tenacity to see them through. In addition, by conducting field studies and joint workshops with social entrepreneurs, businesses, and local governments working on local issues, we aim to equip students with practical skills based on the "here and now, reality."
Research on financial issues and interpersonal social services to support regional and human development
Seminar Introduction
Politics, economy, and society are all connected by finance. Understanding finance allows us to gain a deeper understanding of society as a whole. We are connected to finance from the time we are born until we die, and from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed. In Song's seminar, we interpret all kinds of problems from a financial perspective. The detailed research topic is decided by the students at the time. All students, including the supervising professor, input knowledge through reading literature in a circle and solidify the topic. At the same time, we deepen our understanding through output such as financial quizzes, board games, high school-university collaboration, joint seminar camps, and presentations both inside and outside the university. By combining input and output, we transform the knowledge we have acquired into ability.
In this laboratory, we mainly study urban space and disaster damage, support, reconstruction, and disaster prevention issues, with the basic theme of "community and safety." It has been pointed out that there are limitations to responding to recent disasters, which have become more frequent and complex, using traditional concepts and frameworks. Looking ahead, there is a demand for the construction of "Social Technology" as an approach from a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates natural science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. As a concrete methodology for this, we place importance on both the attitude of "Think and say it with Map and Data" and the practice of "Walking, Seeing, and Thinking."
Local Autonomy Law, Administrative Law, Public Policy Theory, Local Administration Theory, Regional Planning Theory, Risk Management
Main research contents
Research on practical issues surrounding the central government and local governments (as a doctor of law), and research on political and local autonomy in the United Kingdom (as an Emeritus Fellow of Birmingham)
Seminar Introduction
First, We will learn about the politics in the UK, especially the authority, governance structure, resident autonomy, and finance of local governments that develop a wide range of policies, such as education, welfare, the environment, and industry and exceed the scale of national expenditure while hearing from the profeccer who had worked as a government administrator. Then, under the theme of "challenging civil servants who live for the people," we will visit Utsunomiya City Fire Department, Tochigi Prefectural Office, Jichi Medical University, Utsunomiya City Council, Motegi Town, Ashikaga Bank, etc. The seminer students will contact with people working on the front lines of their hometown and exchange opinions with one's dreams and hope. We also have debate exercises and speech contests to train our students to express their opinions accurately.
History of Economic and Social Thought / Western Economic History
Main research contents
Pursuing the diversity of companies and social organizations based on the case study of France during the interwar period
Seminar Introduction
The specialty of the professer is the history of Western economic and economic and social thought centered on interwar France. The seminer students will experience the field of community activities (volunteer or social business), and learn about various problems in the community (declining birthrate and aging population or depopulation). In addition, the seminer students will understand how to interact with society in a different way from office workers and civil servants, that is, "diversity of social participation." Specifically, with the cooperation of several NPOs in Tochigi Prefecture, the seminer students will perticipate in the events and consider the method that young people, including university students, are more active in community activities through group-style presentations. They also share the findings gained from them and propose and disseminate it both inside and outside the university.
Agricultural, mountain and fishing villages, social research
Main research contents
Research on the actual situation of farming, mountain and fishing village society
Seminar Introduction
I think that there are many people who are reluctant or anxious about the field survey. However, I think that by actually visiting the site and considering what we have seen and heard, we can learn many important things in living in modern society. I myself have learned a lot about how to think about things and how to communicate while visiting the site and conducting interviews. The Department of Regional Economics is in a very favorable environment in terms of both theory and practice when conducting field surveys. In this seminar, we aim to deepen our understanding of the actual situation of farming, mountain and fishing village society by conducting surveys in Nakagawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture. Through the experiences in this seminar, I expect to develop human resources who voluntarily tackle regional issues.
Historical development of planning and urban development ideas, spatial analysis of urban and regional policies, disaster prevention land use planning and disaster recovery policies
Seminar Introduction
In research on planning theory and practice, we deal with physical planning such as urban development, transportation facility development, and land use, as well as regional planning in a broad sense, including industrial policy, town development, and community planning. In particular, in the planning process, we trace the genealogy of plans from the perspective of "who proposed what, why, what plans were formulated, and to what extent were the goals achieved?" and consider issues for research and analysis for verification. In particular, the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake has been carried out under a situation where issues that existed before the disaster, such as population decline and aging, intersect with new issues such as village relocation and industrial revitalization, and we have been reporting on the current situation, making policy recommendations, and providing support to disaster-stricken areas.
A city is a place where many diverse people gather. However, the neighbors or the people who pass each other in the city are all strangers, and the relationships are usually weak. It is, in a sense, very mysterious and unnatural that many people who have no relationship gather together. We will study the social mechanism of the city that makes such a situation possible. The key is a public space where an unspecified number of people gather. What makes a public space possible? By elucidating the various mechanisms that exist there, we will try to gain a deeper understanding of the urban society in which we live. Through such learning, we aim to acquire the wisdom to create an attractive and lively public space.
I am currently conducting research into the economic effects of rules of origin established in free trade agreements. Therefore, in this seminar, we have set the theme of "Connecting the local and the international" based on the above-mentioned fields of expertise and research content, as well as the educational objectives of this department. Specifically, in 3rd year, students will take turns reading textbooks on international economics (especially international trade theory). In 4th year, students will write a graduation thesis on a topic of their own choosing.
Domestic population movement centered on young people, and regional revitalization utilizing local resources
Seminar Introduction
In most of Japan's rural areas, population decline and aging are progressing, which is one of the factors that cause the local economy to decline. A major factor is the outflow of young people due to further education and employment. The extent to which young people remain in a region can be said to be one indicator of the future potential of the region. In this seminar, we will consider what solutions are needed to encourage young people to remain in their hometowns, including U-turns. On the other hand, there are also cases in Japan where local resources are utilized to revitalize the region, and such efforts are thought to have the potential to encourage young people to remain in the region in the future. From this perspective, in this seminar, students will set their own regional issues and conduct research to derive solutions.
Recommending specific health checkups in cooperation with children and students
Management strategies and organizational structures of medical institutions
Seminar Introduction
This seminar aims to help students acquire practical skills. To this end, we invite people from companies to give us assignments, and then we work in groups to come up with solutions to these problems and present them to the company representatives. This helps to hone practical planning and presentation skills, which are essential for internships and job hunting. We also compete with other seminars by participating in the "Business Plan Contest" held every year. We also hold "Exchange Meetings with Business People" where we invite people from multiple companies to hone the communication skills needed for group interviews. We also hold "Exchange Meetings with Seniors" where we invite senior members of the seminar to talk about their experiences as a job hunting measure.
I am researching the relationship between corporate accounting and corporate tax law.
Seminar Introduction
This seminar focuses on group work, and in the first semester, each group reads a basic textbook on corporate accounting, reports on it, and holds discussions. The second semester is also centered on group work, but the teaching materials are basic textbooks on tax law. Throughout the first and second semester, students acquire basic knowledge of corporate accounting and tax law, and through group work, aim to improve their cooperation, social skills, and presentation skills. We also actively support students in obtaining accounting-related qualifications such as Nissho Bookkeeping, Certified Public Accountant, and Tax Accountant, as well as finding employment in public service, including as a National Tax Specialist, or in the private sector in the fields of finance and accounting.
Product planning and development through industry-academia collaboration, marketing strategy planning led by students
Main research contents
Product planning, development and marketing through industry-academia collaboration with a view to revitalizing the local area
Seminar Introduction
Hello, welcome to the Sankei Seminar. We work on product planning and development with a major confectionery manufacturer famous for gummies and supplements, and a long-established Kyoto pickle store in Kyoto. We also set up a mock store at a festival held at a university in Cambodia and sell Japanese food in collaboration with local university students. We also held a Christmas market with local university students in Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture. Our seminar is working on various projects in various places both domestically and overseas. When seminar students put what they have learned in the classroom into practice in the field and work together with local companies and local government officials as the center of projects, many warm smiles are born. We hope you will join us.
The purpose of this seminar is to acquire knowledge on accounting data processing and analysis so that students can play an active role as digitally savvy personnel. Specifically, students will learn the basic theory of accounting informatics and become able to handle various applications used in accounting practice. In the first semester 3rd year, students will focus on "accounting data analysis" and learn how to pre-process, visualize, and statistically analyze big data using Excel and BI (Business Intelligence) through teamwork. In the second semester 3rd year, students will focus on "accounting data processing" and learn how to improve accounting data processing through practical training in cloud accounting and RPA (Robotic Process Automation). In 4th year, students will conduct data analysis on a topic of their interest and write a graduation thesis.
The main purpose of this seminar is to develop the ability to think deeply about causal relationships, and as a training ground, students will analyze marketing and management strategies. In the first semester, students will hone their ability to interpret causal relationships by holding group discussions based on newspaper articles on topics such as "why was this product a hit" and "why is this company doing well," and by having students analyze and give presentations on products and companies of their choice in groups. In the second semester, students will individually carry out the analyses they conducted in groups in the first semester, improving their logical thinking and communication skills through repeated hypothesis testing and feedback.
Tourism urban development, historical and cultural resource utilization
Main research contents
"Tourism town development" centered on utilizing historical and cultural resources
Seminar Introduction
Even when it comes to "tourism town development," the methods vary greatly depending on the region. This is because, just like people, the "character" based on history and culture differs from region to region, and we must think of ways to make the most of each region's characteristics. In this seminar, we will consider "tourism town development" centered on the utilization of the historical and cultural resources of the region, using the Tama area of Tokyo, the Nakayama area of Chiba Prefecture, the area around Lake Nojiri in Nagano Prefecture, and the Yuno area of Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture as fields. In order to be able to make more practical proposals, we will place emphasis on understanding the actual situation by actually visiting the local areas and interacting with local people. We believe that the experience and knowledge gained in this way will be useful even after entering the workforce.
