G6024215 Japanese Economic History 1

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year School/Graduate School School of Economics Economics Day Course

Lecture Code G6024215 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 日本経済史１

Subject Name
（Katakana）ニホンケイザイシ１

Subject Name in
English Japanese Economic History 1

Instructor KATSUBE MAKOTO

Instructor
(Katakana) カツベ　マコト

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 3rd-Year, Second Semester, 4Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (4T) Tues5-8：ECON B255

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Lecture

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 3 : Undergraduate High-Intermediate

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 03 : Economics

Eligible Students

Keywords Modern and Contemporary Japan, Economic History, Social Structure, Historical Characteristics, Manufacturing

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) Economic Analysis program
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) Economic Analysis
（Abilities and Skills）
・The ability to develop historical analysis applying knowledge on economic history, history of economic doctrines and political economy.

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This class is technically a history-related subject, but my aim is for the students to develop the awareness of 'considering the present and the future based on history,' as well as to challenge themselves to output their own answers to questions that have no correct answer.
Typically, lectures on Japanese economic history are organized meticulously by following historical periods. However, in this class, the focus is on 'considering the present and the future,' so I will simply organize historical points from each topic in reverse to connect them to current considerations. As a result, the course content will involve broad discussions. Moreover, we will also cover the Heisei and Reiwa periods, which have 'not yet become history.' In each class session, I intend to throw the ball (that is the topic) to the students.

Class Schedule 1．Orientation
2．What does it mean to be Japanese?―How to embrace diversity and have an economic outlook?―
3．Considerations on Family Structure and Work Patterns―The evolution of women's social roles in history―
4．The relationship between Social mobility/fixity and Economic activity―Considerations from a historical comparison of Japan and China―
5．The academic perspectives offered by Economic Development Typology Theory―Why focus on “Ie”= family and “Mura”=community?―
6．The Correlation between the fixity of Japanese Society and manufacturing architecture―The relationship between Integral Architecture and Japanese traditional society―
7．Considering the Nature of Decision-Making and the Future of Leadership―The Image of traditional leaders and the Nature of Corporate Culture in Japan―
8．Future perspectives on Economic Activity and Human Development in Japan―Why do people learn?―
9．An examination of Japanese historical work styles―Considering the academic perspective of Japanese Work Ethic Revolution, and the modern black labor environment―
10．Historical sspects of Industrialization during the Meiji Period―Considering the diverse aspects of the Industrialization process―
11．Examining the relationship between Industrialization and the Emergence of Mass Society during the Taisho Period―What were the social conditions resulting from the expansion of economic disparities?―
12．How Startup Companies developed after the War within Japanese dual structure of the economy―The spirit of challenging the frontier―
13．What were the structural factors behind the emergence of the Bubble Economy in Japan?―The structure behind the Japanese Management System―
14．What was lost during the process of Japan's 'Lost 30 Years'?―The merits and demerits of the Idea that 'People are Costs'―
15．How to approach the DX Society and AI Society in future Japan―What should we do to become the 'Desired Talent' in a challenging environment?―

Text/Reference
Books,etc. There is no textbook. Reference books include the "History of Japan" series from the early modern period to the modern and contemporary periods (Shogakukan, Shueisha, Chuokoron-Shinsha, etc.) and "Seminar: Introduction to the Japanese Economy" (Nikkei Shimbunsha). Both are available at the Central Library.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, moodle

(More Details) PowerPoint

Learning techniques to be incorporated Post-class Report

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review I will not re-explain the basic knowledge related to Japanese history, so for those who have not studied Japanese history in high school, I recommend reading the learning manga 'History of Japan,' or the more complex version by Shotaro Ishinomori 'History of Japan' (Chuko Bunko) covering the Edo period to modern times.
I will distribute a brief resume before the class, but the class content will primarily focus on PowerPoint presentations. I would like you to practice taking quick notes on points that you find 'interesting' during the lesson. Just to be sure, I will upload the PowerPoint files to Moodle for three days after the class, so please use them to supplement any information you may have missed.

Requirements Whether it’s comments after the class or exams, the challenge lies in how you respond to the issues (points) raised during the class. Those who are not interested in 'thinking about the present and the future,' who lack the motivation to express their own thoughts, or who are solely focused on obtaining credits should refrain from enrolling.

Grading Method Evaluation will be based on comments for each of the two classes held weekly and the final essay exam. Comments will be graded out of a total of 25 points (average of six submissions), and the exam will be graded out of 75 points, with the total determining the final grade.
The specifics regarding comments and the exam content will be presented in detail during the first class (orientation).

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message Although I have a desire to conduct discussions involving students during class, most students are not accustomed to this, and I lack confidence in managing it effectively. Therefore, the format will be a straightforward lecture based on PowerPoint presentations. However, if any brave students wish to ask questions or express their opinions during class, I am willing to engage in discussion even if it means cutting back on the content. Above all, the main aim is to 'think about the present and the future.'

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2025Year	School/Graduate School	School of Economics Economics Day Course
Lecture Code	G6024215	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	日本経済史１
Subject Name （Katakana）	ニホンケイザイシ１
Subject Name in English	Japanese Economic History 1
Instructor	KATSUBE MAKOTO
Instructor (Katakana)	カツベ　マコト
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	3rd-Year, Second Semester, 4Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(4T) Tues5-8：ECON B255
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face
Lecture
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	4	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	3 : Undergraduate High-Intermediate
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	03 : Economics
Eligible Students
Keywords	Modern and Contemporary Japan, Economic History, Social Structure, Historical Characteristics, Manufacturing
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	Economic Analysis program
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	Economic Analysis （Abilities and Skills）・The ability to develop historical analysis applying knowledge on economic history, history of economic doctrines and political economy.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This class is technically a history-related subject, but my aim is for the students to develop the awareness of 'considering the present and the future based on history,' as well as to challenge themselves to output their own answers to questions that have no correct answer. Typically, lectures on Japanese economic history are organized meticulously by following historical periods. However, in this class, the focus is on 'considering the present and the future,' so I will simply organize historical points from each topic in reverse to connect them to current considerations. As a result, the course content will involve broad discussions. Moreover, we will also cover the Heisei and Reiwa periods, which have 'not yet become history.' In each class session, I intend to throw the ball (that is the topic) to the students.
Class Schedule	1．Orientation 2．What does it mean to be Japanese?―How to embrace diversity and have an economic outlook?― 3．Considerations on Family Structure and Work Patterns―The evolution of women's social roles in history― 4．The relationship between Social mobility/fixity and Economic activity―Considerations from a historical comparison of Japan and China― 5．The academic perspectives offered by Economic Development Typology Theory―Why focus on “Ie”= family and “Mura”=community?― 6．The Correlation between the fixity of Japanese Society and manufacturing architecture―The relationship between Integral Architecture and Japanese traditional society― 7．Considering the Nature of Decision-Making and the Future of Leadership―The Image of traditional leaders and the Nature of Corporate Culture in Japan― 8．Future perspectives on Economic Activity and Human Development in Japan―Why do people learn?― 9．An examination of Japanese historical work styles―Considering the academic perspective of Japanese Work Ethic Revolution, and the modern black labor environment― 10．Historical sspects of Industrialization during the Meiji Period―Considering the diverse aspects of the Industrialization process― 11．Examining the relationship between Industrialization and the Emergence of Mass Society during the Taisho Period―What were the social conditions resulting from the expansion of economic disparities?― 12．How Startup Companies developed after the War within Japanese dual structure of the economy―The spirit of challenging the frontier― 13．What were the structural factors behind the emergence of the Bubble Economy in Japan?―The structure behind the Japanese Management System― 14．What was lost during the process of Japan's 'Lost 30 Years'?―The merits and demerits of the Idea that 'People are Costs'― 15．How to approach the DX Society and AI Society in future Japan―What should we do to become the 'Desired Talent' in a challenging environment?―
Text/Reference Books,etc.	There is no textbook. Reference books include the "History of Japan" series from the early modern period to the modern and contemporary periods (Shogakukan, Shueisha, Chuokoron-Shinsha, etc.) and "Seminar: Introduction to the Japanese Economy" (Nikkei Shimbunsha). Both are available at the Central Library.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, moodle
(More Details)	PowerPoint
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Post-class Report
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	I will not re-explain the basic knowledge related to Japanese history, so for those who have not studied Japanese history in high school, I recommend reading the learning manga 'History of Japan,' or the more complex version by Shotaro Ishinomori 'History of Japan' (Chuko Bunko) covering the Edo period to modern times. I will distribute a brief resume before the class, but the class content will primarily focus on PowerPoint presentations. I would like you to practice taking quick notes on points that you find 'interesting' during the lesson. Just to be sure, I will upload the PowerPoint files to Moodle for three days after the class, so please use them to supplement any information you may have missed.
Requirements	Whether it’s comments after the class or exams, the challenge lies in how you respond to the issues (points) raised during the class. Those who are not interested in 'thinking about the present and the future,' who lack the motivation to express their own thoughts, or who are solely focused on obtaining credits should refrain from enrolling.
Grading Method	Evaluation will be based on comments for each of the two classes held weekly and the final essay exam. Comments will be graded out of a total of 25 points (average of six submissions), and the exam will be graded out of 75 points, with the total determining the final grade. The specifics regarding comments and the exam content will be presented in detail during the first class (orientation).
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	Although I have a desire to conduct discussions involving students during class, most students are not accustomed to this, and I lack confidence in managing it effectively. Therefore, the format will be a straightforward lecture based on PowerPoint presentations. However, if any brave students wish to ask questions or express their opinions during class, I am willing to engage in discussion even if it means cutting back on the content. Above all, the main aim is to 'think about the present and the future.'
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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