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Message from Chair

In accordance with the revamping of Yokohama National University's Initiative for Global Arts and Science, in 2013 the Department of Economics launched the International M.A. and Ph.D. Programs to prepare a competitively selected set of international applicants for success in careers in academia, business, and government.

Our Department currently provides two paths in “International Economics” and “Comparative Economic Systems and Political Economy” for the International Ph.D. Program. However, we will be inaugurating the new “Data Analytics Path” from the Fall Semester in 2023.

One impetus for the all-English Graduate 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 history of the Economics Department at Yokohama National University dates back to 1923 when it was first established as the Yokohama Higher School of Commerce. Throughout its almost century-long 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 students who have graduated from our school or completed one of the graduate programs in the Department of Economics have gone on to become successful leaders in business, government, or academia in Japan and other Asian countries.

All coursework, research, and administrative activities pertaining to the International M.A. and Ph.D. Programs are conducted in the English language—from entrance screening to lectures and seminars, qualifying exams, thesis writing, and the final defense. Additionally, our online system allows us to conduct the admissions and selection process for applicants throughout the world.

Students in the program have the opportunity to learn from the Department’s exceptional faculty members, many of whom completed their graduate studies at internationally acclaimed Japanese or overseas universities. Faculty research interests cover a broad range of important subfields in economics, providing students enrolled in the program with invaluable exposure to the breadth and depth of academic research.

It is my sincere hope that students in the program will not only excel in their studies and research but also share in wonderful collegial fellowship and enjoy a warm, heartfelt experience in Japan.


Tsunao OKUMURA
Chair, Department of Economics,
Yokohama National University


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