F1011 Introduction to Japanese Economy, Society and Culture
Japan has gone through drastic and upward changes in economic activities. A fast recovery from the war damages followed by a rapid economic growth was observed in the 1950s and 1960s. Japan created the first wave of the Asian miracle in economic growth. By the end of the 1960s, the Japanese economy had become the second largest economy in the world. Japan also gained a membership of the OECD in 1964.
Rapid economic growth was initially achieved with the costs to the society. Environmental degradation created by air and water pollution became serious economic and social problems. Energy crises in the 1970s have given also the Japanese economy additional challenges. However, these difficulties did not stop its development. Energy efficient and environmentally friendly approaches were introduced. Resources were put to induce technical change to come up with low cost and cleaner technology. The Japanese economy was able to continue to grow in the 1970s and 1980s. Surplus in international trade became an issue with the US in the latter part of the 1980s.
The shift of the pace of economic growth was observed after the economic growth periods of four decades. After the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s, the Japanese economy has been in prolonged recessions for nearly two decades.
Environmental degradation in the 1960s, energy crisis in the 1970s, trade imbalance in the 1980s, deflation in the 1990s and fiscal deficit in the 2000s are the major challenges which the Japanese economy and society have encountered. Understanding the causes and searching for the solutions to these problems might give positive and negative lessons to the countries which are facing similar challenges.
These changes in economic situations also shifted the life style of the people in Japan. Cultural values have also been altered over time. Understanding the modern history of the evolution of the Japanese economy will be a needed exercise for us to understand how the society and culture are formed in Japan at present.
The objectives of this course are to familiarize the students with the basic characteristics of the Japanese economy, society and culture, to understand the linkage among these and to figure out the mechanism behind the changes. No knowledge in economics is required before taking this course, but very basic theory in macroeconomics is introduced for better understanding of the issues in class. Students are expected to go through the reading materials and actively participate in the class discussions.
Rapid economic growth was initially achieved with the costs to the society. Environmental degradation created by air and water pollution became serious economic and social problems. Energy crises in the 1970s have given also the Japanese economy additional challenges. However, these difficulties did not stop its development. Energy efficient and environmentally friendly approaches were introduced. Resources were put to induce technical change to come up with low cost and cleaner technology. The Japanese economy was able to continue to grow in the 1970s and 1980s. Surplus in international trade became an issue with the US in the latter part of the 1980s.
The shift of the pace of economic growth was observed after the economic growth periods of four decades. After the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s, the Japanese economy has been in prolonged recessions for nearly two decades.
Environmental degradation in the 1960s, energy crisis in the 1970s, trade imbalance in the 1980s, deflation in the 1990s and fiscal deficit in the 2000s are the major challenges which the Japanese economy and society have encountered. Understanding the causes and searching for the solutions to these problems might give positive and negative lessons to the countries which are facing similar challenges.
These changes in economic situations also shifted the life style of the people in Japan. Cultural values have also been altered over time. Understanding the modern history of the evolution of the Japanese economy will be a needed exercise for us to understand how the society and culture are formed in Japan at present.
The objectives of this course are to familiarize the students with the basic characteristics of the Japanese economy, society and culture, to understand the linkage among these and to figure out the mechanism behind the changes. No knowledge in economics is required before taking this course, but very basic theory in macroeconomics is introduced for better understanding of the issues in class. Students are expected to go through the reading materials and actively participate in the class discussions.
Syllabus
Evaluation
Readings
Evaluation
Readings