• Master’s Program
• Doctoral Program

Master’s Program

The role of international economics is becoming increasingly important in a globalizing modern society. With the aim of having students properly grasp international economic events based on economic theory, as well as developing their understanding of such events in terms of a policy science that suggests policy measures, the Master’s Program in International Economics has a curriculum that focuses on the following areas. The first is the field of economic theory, covering international economics, game theory, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistical analysis for empirical research. The second area is related to international economic policy, primarily among developed nations, covering topics such as international finance, international economic policy, and international industrial organization. Finally, the third area focuses on developing nations and Asia, covering topics such as international development theory, international development policy, Asian economic theory, and international environmental theory. International aid organizations and advanced Western countries have forms of aid that differ from those of Japan in terms of both policy and philosophy, and Japanese collaboration in the healthy growth of developing countries is a challenge of the utmost importance for the future of Japan.
This department fosters experts in a wide range of fields through instruction by economic specialists with advanced expertise in both theory and practice. We aim to cultivate talent endowed with the ability to think about today’s economic issues scientifically and from diverse points of view, by having them learn the latest theories and quantitative methods, starting from the basics.

International Economics Program

In this major, students learn about everything, from the basics to the applications of economics. They also start from the basics to learn statistical analysis methods essential for understanding modern economic and social issues. For those who already have basic knowledge in these concepts, we offer courses with more high-level content as well. We offer thorough instruction with small class sizes for the following individuals: students who want more specialized knowledge before entering the working world, those who want to become researchers in the future, those who aim to improve their careers and have an even more complete work life, those who want to think academically about their experiences as a working adult, those who want to try their hand at writing a thesis or a book, those who want to go one step further from their current life and give themselves an intellectual challenge.

Degree Requirements

To complete the master’s program, students must attend the program for at least two years, obtain the required credits, receive necessary research guidance, earn certification in one foreign language, review their master’s thesis or special topics research results, and pass a final examination. Completion methods include (1) “Master Thesis Research” and (2) “Topical Studies.” The completion requirements differ for each method. For the “Master Thesis Research,” the student must complete a master’s thesis under the guidance of their research advisor and pass a review of that thesis. For “Topical Studies,” the student must report the results of their topical study and pass a review of that study.

Credits Required for the Degree

(1) Master Thesis Research

Completion requires 30 credits, distributed as follows. Mandatory courses: “Seminar I” (placed in Year 2), 2 credits; “Seminar II,” 6 credits. Selected mandatory courses: 12 credits from Group A or B; elective courses: 10 credits from Groups A~C.

(2) Topical Studies

Completion requires 38 credits, distributed as follows. Mandatory courses: “Seminar I” (placed in Year 2), 2 credits; “Seminar II,” 6 credits. Selected mandatory courses: 18 credits from Group A or B; elective courses: 12 credits from Groups A~C.

Past Research Topics

Master’s Theses

To study international economics, you need to be able to read theoretical developments that have passed through history. Now more than ever, the world needs economic theories that have the intellectual fortitude to carefully unravel tangled threads and properly grasp the rapidly changing international economy to guide society in the right direction. The Doctoral Program in International Economics is a higher education program in which instructors at the front lines of both theory and empirical studies in international economics train and guide students to become researchers. Thus far, 12 people have earned a doctoral degree from this program and are engaged in research work.

Degree Requirements

To complete the program, students must be enrolled for the required period of study, be certified in one foreign language, pass a doctoral dissertation application review, and pass a final (oral) examination. For the majors of International Politics, International Economics, and International Communication, students must earn 4 credits in each major and 12 credits in research guidance seminars.

Course Subjects

Research Guidance Seminars

The term of study for the doctoral program is set at a standard of three years (Graduate School Regulations Article 10), but those who have achieved outstanding research work may complete the degree in fewer than three years. If completing the degree in less than three years, the student will need to complete the above number of credits within their term of study. However, the Graduate School has a set process for submitting doctoral dissertation applications, and these applications cannot be submitted except through this process.

Search the curriculum (Japanese version only)

Dissertation Application Submission Requirements and Process

Precautions before submitting a doctoral dissertation application

Students must pass the following exams to complete the program. Please note that the members of the research guidance committee, consisting of five faculty members, including a research advisor and assistant research advisor, must be decided before taking each of these exams. Be sure to check with the registrar’s office that the members of the research guidance committee have been finalized.

• Doctoral dissertation research plan evaluation
• Doctoral dissertation interim report (no pass/fail decision)
• Final doctoral dissertation report
• Final doctoral dissertation review