About Us
About Us
Message from the Dean
Join Us in YNU Economics!
The history of the Department of Economics at Yokohama National University dates back to 1923, when it was first established as the Yokohama Higher School of Commerce. Throughout its almost hundred-year history, a rich diversity of international education and research in economics has evolved, due in part to the strong influence of the nearby Port of Yokohama, which played an instrumental role in supporting the modernization of Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). During the past century, our school has provided high-quality education in economics with a balance of theoretical research and empirical study. The demonstrable result of this is the fact that many excellent graduates of the Department of Economics have gone on to become successful leaders in business, government, or academia in Japan and other Asian countries. The Department of Economics and the Graduate School of International Social Sciences at YNU today offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in economics. A wide range of courses is open to students, from freshman seminars to Ph.D. workshops, all within our lush green campus.
One impetus for our programs in economics has come from the current state of the global economy, namely, the worldwide economic interdependence that has significantly deepened through increasing trade and investment. Regional economic integration has spread from East Asia to Southeast Asia, and further policy cooperation has been attempted in this region. However, a recent resurgence of protectionism, reflected in the British exit from the European Union and U.S.–China trade frictions, discourages the expansion of international trade and investment, thus reducing the economic benefits of globalization. These dynamic and challenging times require an ample supply of well-educated business leaders, government officials, and researchers with a high level of expertise in economics.
The Department of Economics is a vibrant collection of distinguished scholars dedicated to education. Their research activities span a wide variety of fields, from microeconomic theory and econometrics, to economic history, international economics, and the study of developing economies. Many of our faculty members have received research awards in these fields and served as consultants guiding economic policies at the national level.
I sincerely hope that many highly motivated students will join us in YNU’s Department of Economics.
Morinao IJU
Dean, Department of Economics
Faculty Outline
Faculty of Economics
The Faculty of Economics consistently aims to provide education that effectively balances theory and practice, and reflects the international atmosphere of Yokohama, a large city of bustling maritime trade and port activity.
Required Student Characteristics
The Faculty of Economics seeks students who are interested in economy and society, and who are motivated to solve problems on their own.
The following are the qualities an ideal candidate should possess.
- Good academic skills in mathematics and foreign languages
- The ability to access necessary information, interpret and adapt it appropriately, and disseminate it independently.
- Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to contribute to the world by embodying new views and ideas.
- A willingness to learn about market systems, economic and social systems, in order to solve various economic and social issues using economic methods.
- A strong interest in economics, society, history, and institutions.
- An interest in events that combine economics and law, and a desire to acquire a basic grounding in economics and law aiming at a career using specialized knowledge of law.
Admission Capacity: 258
Affiliated Facility
Graduate Outline
Department Economics
Regular Programs (taught in Japanese)
Master’s Course
In order to nurture economic specialists with a global outlook, the Department of Economics has continued and expanded on the high-level basic education and training focusing on basic economic theory, analysis of economic systems, the collection/analysis/processing of economic information, analysis of international economics, international comparative analysis of economic expansion, market competition and cooperation, policy analysis, and development and the environment. In particular, as evidenced by the English-language classes and research guidance that have been provided in earnest since 1996, education for international students has been radically improved in accordance with the department’s aim to nurture human resources capable of performing on the international stage.
Master’s Course (Finance Program Special Course)
This course was established in 2008 as a “Program for Finance through Economic-Engineering Collaboration” supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under the “Support Program for Improving Graduate School Education”. Integrating the humanities (economics) and science (engineering) enables the nurturing of practical human resources with both the economic and mathematical/computer science knowledge that is required in both the practical business activities of companies and study and research activities in universities. The Department prepares specialists equipped with high-level financial engineering/finance skills and practical expertise.
Doctoral Course
This department trains specialists with high-level knowledge and research skills of an international standard and an international perspective. Study and research focuses on the basic theory required for analyzing globalizing economies and industries and evaluating policy, data-based empirical analysis, field studies, and international comparative analysis.
- Global Economy and Theoretical Analysis
Study and research comprises model-based theoretical analysis, statistical and quantitative clarification of economic systems, socioeconomic analysis of social systems overall, and economic/quantitative analysis of finance and financial administration aimed at clarifying various economic phenomena in globalized economic systems. - Global Economy and Policy Evaluation
Study and research comprises empirical and quantitative analysis and international comparative analysis of various phenomena in globalized economies and industries, international trade/investment/technology and economic growth, development of international financial systems, historical development processes of economies, and international economic expansion and regional concerns, as well as analysis and evaluation of related policies.
International M.A. and Ph.D. Programs - Economics Programs Taught in English
Students will no longer be admitted into the International Master’s Program in Economics beginning October 2023.
Entrance Examinations
Master’s Course
General Entrance Examinations are held for the “Department of Economics” and “Entrance Examination for the Finance Program Special Course” (for examinees wishing to study in the Department of Economics’ finance program). There are also “Entrance Examinations for Foreign Students” for international students on Japanese Government or home country scholarships and “Entrance Examinations for Adult Students” for general or dispatched adult members of society.
For detailed information about entrance examinations, please refer to the website below as well as contact the Graduate School of International Social Sciences directly.
Doctoral Course
Entrance examinations are held for Japanese, international, and adult students, all of which are assessed based on a foreign language examination, Master’s or other screening thesis, and oral examination. Depending on their field of specialization, international students may choose to take a Japanese language examination for their foreign language examination. Of graduate students studying in the Yokohama National University International Graduate School of Social Sciences Master’s Course, those studying in the Department of Economics have the opportunity to proceed to the Doctoral Course by sitting a comprehensive entrance examination based on their research plan, etc. in the autumn of their second year of graduate study.