Japanese Economy
Koji Yokota, 2 credits (core, spring semester)
1. Course objective and method
This course analyzes Japanese economy of today and in past using theoretical tools. It mixes lectures and presentation and discussion sessions by students. The topics are chosen from the current status and modern economic history of Japan.
2. Course contents
The lecture contains the following topics:
1. History of modern Japanese economy and its development
2. “Industrial policies” and their effects
3. The facts of growth world-wide
4. Growth theory and technological progress
5. "Rapid growth" in 1950-70's and environmental policies
6. “Bubble economy”, the subsequent “lost decades” and monetary policy
7. International trade and the trade-imbalance problem
At the end of the semester, students must make presentation about their chosen topics. Examples of topics and related bibliography will be presented at the beginning of the course.
3. Teaching materials
Bibliography will be provided in the class.
Textbook:
Olivier Blanchard "Macroeconomics" 4th ed., 2006 (Prentice Hall).
References
Flath, The Japanese Economy, Oxford University Press, 2000.
Ito, The Japanese Economy, MIT Press, 1992.
Nakamura, The Postwar Japanese Economy, 2nd ed., University of Tokyo Press, 1995.
4. Grading
Grading is based on attendance, quality of presentation and examinations.
5. Remarks
Students are encouraged to take Intermediate Microeconomics and Intermediate Macroeconomics.
