講義名 日本経済論(英)Ⅰ ≪□第一部≫
講義開講時期 前期
曜日・時限 火2
単位数 2

担当教員
氏名
宮川 大介

学習目標(到達目標) The aim of this course is to provide extensive discussions on various important features of Japanese economy. Each course participant is expected to manifest their central interests in Japanese economy to audiences in English and complete the preparation for their own projects.
授業概要(教育目的) We will start from the discussion on the recent economic environment in Japan. After going over the recent issues, we will go back to the discussions on the postwar high economic growth era, property bubble in 1980s, and banking crisis in the late 1990s.
授業計画表
 
項目内容
第1回Introduction and Course OverviewThe instructor will go over the contents of this lecture, the schedule, the expected goal of this course, and the evaluation method. Weekly assignment will be also provided by the instructor.

From the date of the first lecture, all the participants are required to track (i) Nikkei 225 Stock Index、(ii) NY Dow, (iii) Yen/Dollar currency exchange rate, (iv) 10-year JGB yield and price, and (v) 10-year US Treasury bond yield and price by using the following link. Each participant needs to make a table to track these numbers as of the end of each Monday (i.e., one day before each class).

http://www.bloomberg.co.jp/

[Course preparation] Read through the syllabus carefully in advance.
第2回Sketch of Japanese EconomyAt the beginning of the lecture, all the participants are required to turn in their virtual portfolio (i.e., allocation of virtual one million yen to Japanese stock, U.S. stock, Japanese government bond, and U.S. government bond). Then, we will discuss how to read key macro indicators on Japanese economy.

[Course preparation] Check the following link and print out the list of GDPs (current US$) over various countries. Also, click the name “Japan” and play around the website so that you can find any interesting information about Japan.

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD
第3回How to read through the important numbers?We will discuss how to read important indexes in financial markets.

[Course preparation] Check the following link and use the right panel labeled as “主要株価指数” to draw 5-year chart of Nikkei 225 Stock Index. Also, find the most important news affecting the stock price index over the last five years.

http://www.bloomberg.co.jp/
第4回Topic-1 Abenomics and more (i)We will go over the recent topics related to Japanese monetary policy as one of the main features of Abenomics.

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it.
第5回Topic-1 Abenomics and more (ii)We will go over the package of recent Japanese fiscal policy as one of the main features of Abenomics.

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it.
第6回Topic-1 Abenomics and more (iii)We will list up the various items in the proposed "growth strategy" as one of the main features of Abenomics. Note that we will also discuss who will present their research topic in the next week.

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it.
第7回First presentationCourse participants planning to write a project proposal on Abenomics will present their research topic.

[Course preparation] Assigned presenters need to send their presentation slide to the instructor no later than the day before this 7th lecture.
第8回Topic-2: Economic growth in Japan (i)We will go over the features of postwar high growth period by using data and actual episodes.

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it. Also, read through the corresponding part of the textbook (i.e., The Japanese Economy, third edition by David Flath).
第9回Topic-2: Economic growth in Japan (ii)We will discuss how to apply Solow's growth model to the postwar high growth period.

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it. Also, read through the corresponding part of the textbook.
第10回Topic-3: Bubble economy (i)We will go over the features of the property bubble in 1980s by using data and actual episodes.


[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it. Also, read through the corresponding part of the textbook.
第11回Topic-3: Bubble economy (ii)We will discuss the explanation for bubble economy in the context of economics (i.e., rational bubble vs. irrational bubble, comparison with other countries)

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it. Also, read through the corresponding part of the textbook.
第12回Topic-4: Banking crisis in 1990sWe will go over the features of the banking crisis in 1990s by using data and actual episodes. Then, we will discuss the cause and consequence of the crisis. Note that we will also discuss who will present their research topic in the next week.

[Course preparation] Download the course material posted in EcoLink and read through it. Also, read through the corresponding part of the textbook.
第13回Third presentationCourse participants planning to write a project proposal on economic growth in Japan, bubble, or banking crisis will present their research topic. The instructor also announces the best performance award based on the virtual portfolio constructed at the beginning of the course.

[Course preparation] Assigned presenters need to send their presentation slide to the instructor no later than the day before this 13th lecture.
第14回Review SessionReview the course material.
第15回Summary of the courseSummarize the course material.
授業形式 Normal lecture consists of (i) weekly presentation by students, (ii) presentation about the course material by the instructor, and (iii) discussion based on assigned material.
評価方法
定期試験 レポート 小テスト 講義態度
(出席)
その他 合計
0% 30% 0% 50% 20% 100%
評価の特記事項 Participation [30%], weekly report [20%], presentation [30%], research proposal [20%].
テキスト THIRD EDITION of "The Japanese Economy" by David Flath , which will be published in this May
オフィスアワー(授業相談) Friday 10:40-12:10 in my lab (appointment only, e-mail address will be provided at the first lecture)
事前学習の内容など,学生へのメッセージ As you might be able to see in this syllabus, this course will be operated in rather seminar fashion than a normal lecture style. I believe English ability (at least as of the beginning of the course) does not matter a lot but your commitment to the course certainly matters.