Purpose of Program

This program provides the curriculum mainly for those who wish to contribute to economic and social development of their home countries. Graduates of this program will acquire:

1. Economic analysis skills and knowledge at a global standard level;
2. Specialized and wide-ranging insight & abilities concerning growth strategies for developing countries & transitional economies;
3. Communication skills required for international conferences, international organizations and international cooperation;
4. Deep understanding and insight into Japan and Asia's socioeconomic situation.

Features of Program

• Proficiency-dependent Teaching

  Based on student's academic background at admission, they are given mid- to advanced-level education in core courses (microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics). Core courses build a strong basis for economic theory and empirical study. Elective courses allow students to acquire the policy analysis methods and essential policy information that will build the foundation of their own research.

• Capacity Building of Policy Planning and Management

  Students gain the required knowledge to promote the development of professional capacity in planning and management of economic and public policy. Students also learn to statistical administrative and policy valuation methods and acquire the ability to use statistical software packages such as STATA and EViews.

• Improving General Abilities

  Through the process of writing their masters' theses, students improve not only their specialized knowledge but also general abilities (language and grammar abilities, analytical writing ability, information collection and analysis abilities).

• Developing a Network of Contacts

  Students have the opportunity to network with the Ristumeikan University professors as well as rising leaders in research and industry from a variety of countries.

  We have accepted students from the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Spain, Tajikistan, Tonga, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

• Multicultural Understanding

  By studying abroad in Japan, students gain a broad multicultural, international perspective as well as the opportunity to refine their knowledge of with international organizations' negotiation and regulation.

• Fieldwork Study

  Fieldwork and factory visits to iconic Japanese companies offer students the opportunity to study the actual workings of the market economy.

Expected Path after Program Completion

After graduation, students are generally expected to:

• Engage in national government and state-enterprise planning, policymaking, economic analysis, and international relations.
• Be involved in the coordination of regional economic development through local government, NGOs and related international organizations.
• Be involved with economic research & education at universities and research organizations; make economic strategy proposals and foster leaders of the next generation.
• Pass through a doctoral course and become a researcher or international public servant who plays an active role on the global scene.