Economic Development of Japan
 Updated July 28, 2022

Spring 2022 -  Thursday 16:40-18:10    Classroom F

Instructor: Prof. K. Ohno

This course is completed for 2022

Syllabus Syllabus as of May 2022
Course materials The textbook is K. Ohno, The History of Japanese Economic Development, Routledge, 2018. This book is OPEN ACCESS (free download). If you prefer a hardcopy, students may purchase the paperback edition at discount from the instructor (4,000 yen). Lecture slides are provided below.
Grading by term paper Deadline is Sunday, July 31, 2022. Submit both electronically and in hardcopy (if GRIPS is open).
Choose one topic from below:
  (i) Assessment of public-private interaction in industrial development of Japan
  (ii) Comparison of Japanese experience and similar experience of another (your) country
  (iii) Detailed analysis of Japanese industrialization (beyond class materials & discussion)
In each case, one particular period and one particular sector/issue must be selected for analysis. Do not discuss generally or without focus. Use 1 to 3 analytical points if Japan and another country are compared. 10 pages or less, single-spaced. One figure or table, and a list of references must be included. Footnotes/endnotes are optional. Evaluation criteria: topic selection (25%), logical flow (25%), depth of analysis (25%), style and English (25%).

This course reviews the history of Japanese economic development from the Edo period (17-19c) to present. Topics are chronologically arranged. Economics is the main focus but social, political, diplomatic and military issues are also covered as necessary background. The reason for Japan's early industrialization, impact of external influences, interaction between economics and politics, and the state's role and private sector dynamism will be featured. Historical data will be amply presented and academic debates by economists and historians will be explained.

Course schedule for Spring 2022

Date Topic Textbook chapter Lecture slides Related paper
APR 07 Overview and the meaning of modernization for latecomers ch.1 lec 1
APR 14 Edo period: pre-conditions of industrialization and modernization ch.2 lec 2
APR 28 Meiji 1: key goals of Meiji government ch.3 lec.3
MAY 12 Meiji 2: politics of Meiji industrialization and modernization ch.3 lec.4 flexible
MAY 19 Meiji 3: technology transfer and major industries chs.4&5 lec.5 TT
MAY 26 Meiji 4: budget, finance and macro balance ch.6 lec.6
JUN 02 World War I and the 1920s: export-led boom and collapse ch.7 lec.7
JUN 09 Showa Financial Crisis of 1927 ch.8 lec 8
JUN 16 The 1930s and the war economy ch.9 lec.9
JUN 23 Postwar recovery 1945-49 ch.10 lec.10
JUL 07 Postwar high growth of late 1950s-1960s ch.11 lec.11
JUL 14 MITI and industrial policy ch.11 lec.12
JUL 21 Economic maturity and slowdown 1970s-80s ch.12 lec.13
JUL 28 Bubble burst, Abenomics & remaining challenges ch.13 lec.14
lec.15

                            Note: no class on April 21 and June 30. Schedule is subject to change due to the instructor's research travel, etc.