2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences7:Economics
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Kazuo Mizuno
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S407
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This lecture will use the theory of economics to explain the challenges of Japan in the 21st century.
The aim of this lecture is to understand the phenomena that are actually occurring, such as the negative or zero interest rates of Japan, Germany and France, and the intention of globalization.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1）Meaning of zero interest rate.
2）Difference between interest and profit.
3）Background of the US-China New Cold War.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
For two years from 2012 to 2014, I analyzed the Japanese economy as a Deputy Director-General of the Cabinet Office Minister's Secretariat in charge of economic and financial analysis of the Cabinet Office, and published the results as "Monthly Economic Report" and "White Paper on Economic and Fiscal Policy".
Keywords
Capital, interest rate, savings, collection, nation-state and empire
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
At the beginning of each class, solutions to exercise problems that were assigned during the previous class are reviewed. Towards the end of class, students are given exercise problems related to the lecture given that day to solve. To prepare for class, students should read the course schedule section and check what topics will be covered. Required learning should be completed outside of the classroom for preparation and review purposes.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | About the concept of "collection" －"Collection" is relief. | "Collection" is done to maintain order |
| Class 2 | About savings and investment ―Savings is a relief | Whether to enjoy the present or prepare for the future |
| Class 3 | The differences of profit and interest | Homeostasis and contingency |
| Class 4 | Meaning of zero interest rate | Why is excessive savings |
| Class 5 | The relationship of globalization and empire | The difference of globalization and internationalization |
| Class 6 | The relationship of creditor countries and debtor countries | Background of the US-China New Cold War |
| Class 7 | About the term-end report | Summary and questions |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Papers used in class are distributed in PDF
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance attitude (50%) and term-end report (50%)
Related courses
- LAH.S109 ： Economics A
- LAH.S209 ： Economics B
- LAH.S310 ： Economics C
Prerequisites
None