To co-create new value in the region Learn theory and practice
To develop human resources who can realize regional revitalization and recovery. That is the goal of the Department of Regional Economics. In addition to basic Department of Economics courses, we offer some courses such as "Travel Industry Theory" and "Local Autonomy Law". Students can verify and learn "region and economy" from many points of view. As we also hold community-based symposiums, students can learn about the current situation, issues, and solutions for regional revitalization from people in different fields who are actually active on the front lines of the region.
Department of Regional Economics Close-Up
Utsunomiya Campus Recurrent Education Program Department of Regional Economics is working with various industry-academia-government-finance organizations in Tochigi Prefecture to implement a recurrent education program (subsidized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the FY2024 supplementary budget) in which business managers and students learn together through "mutual learning." By learning with business managers active in Tochigi Prefecture about the revitalization of local communities through the settlement of young people and the improvement of local companies' ability to recruit and retain human resources, students can discover the meaning and appeal of working for a company in Tochigi Prefecture.
We have published a series on graduates who are active in their local communities. Department of Regional Economics was established in April 2011, and will send its 10th class out into the world in March 2024. To commemorate this, we have interviewed alumni active in a variety of fields under the theme of "Graduates Active in the Community." This booklet will be useful for current students as well as prospective students, as it covers topics such as their current jobs, what they find rewarding, what they found useful in their university studies, and memories of their student days.
Faculty introduction of Department of Regional Economics
Learning "in" the community, learning "from" the community: Initiatives based on on-site research and activities In today's complex world where traditional academic systems are difficult to explain, we place emphasis on efforts to present perspectives for solving problems by actually standing on the ground, based on an economic perspective. In our field work, we practice in a variety of fields, including tourism, regional management, agriculture, finance, international affairs, urban planning, town development, housing, and disaster prevention.
Learn about regions and economies in the age of co-creation from theory and practice
In recent years, society has called for co-creation to generate new value through collaboration and cooperation between different organizations and regions. To achieve this, our department provides practical education and research with an emphasis on fieldwork, based on three fields: "Economics," "Community and Industry," and "Local Government and Administration." In addition, small-group seminars are offered from 1st year, where students take the initiative to cultivate the basic skills required for regional research. From 2nd year onwards, seminars are tailored to students' individual interests, nurturing practical skills for analysis and presentations in more specialized research fields.
Geographic Information Systems Using GIS (Geographic Information System), an analytical tool that combines maps and statistical data to visualize regions, students will learn methods for scientifically analyzing regions by mapping diverse information such as population, transportation, industry, and disasters, and then interpreting the phenomena observed. They will cultivate both the "thinking skills" and "communication skills" directly applicable to urban development and regional policy, and acquire practical skills as a regional data science expert.
finance Public finance is the study of the flow of public money. Whether we work or not, we are inextricably linked to public finance through taxes and social security. Where does this money come from, who manages it, and where does it go? By understanding this system, we will understand why regional development is impossible without financial resources, and acquire the critical thinking skills to academically explore questions such as whether "tax cuts equal good." Public finance is a "mirror" that reflects the state of society.
Corporate Strategy and Technology Management This course will teach you how companies create value and how those results are reflected in financial figures. Corporate management consists of two aspects: activities that create value through business operations and the procurement and management of funds that support these activities. The results are shown in the form of numbers in financial statements. In this course, you will acquire the fundamental skills to understand companies from both the perspective of business strategy and accounting information, taking into account the relationships between management resources such as people, goods (information), and money.
Tourism Promotion Theory This course aims to deepen your understanding of sustainable tourism destinations, categorized by type. It covers pilgrimage sites, urban tourist destinations, World Heritage sites, hot spring resorts, mountain/highland/coastal resorts, historical towns, and rural tourist destinations. While the focus is primarily on domestic examples, advanced case studies from overseas will also be presented. Many of the regions covered will be those Senior Assistant Professor have been involved in as part of projects, allowing participants to gain a tangible understanding of regional challenges and hone their critical thinking skills in considering solutions.
public policy theory Public policy refers to policies formulated and implemented by the national and local governments to solve social issues. In particular, Public Policy II systematically covers the fundamental theories of public policy studies, while also addressing contemporary themes such as declining birth rates, aging populations, and welfare benefits as case studies. Active learning methods are actively employed, fostering practical abilities to proactively engage with social issues through group work, presentations, and discussions.
Environmental Economics Many environmental problems arise from economic activities. Therefore, in order to solve environmental problems, it is important to approach them from the perspective of economic activities. However, if economic activities have a negative impact, it can be difficult to implement such an approach. Environmental economics considers how to reconcile environmental problems with economic activities, so as to contribute to solving environmental problems while also having a positive impact on economic activities.
成績評価と単位認定
Grading Criteria
About our GPA System
The purpose of introducing the GPA (Grade Point Average) system is to: 1) create a unified campus standard, 2) provide a highly impartial standard, and 3) be an internationally accepted standard in order to evaluate academic achievement through an objective numerical value. This system is based on the grading system adopted by many foreign universities. It is an indicator that can prove academic ability when studying abroad, entering a graduate school overseas, or finding employment at a foreign company.
Display of Grades and Assessment Criteria
Classification
Grading Criteria
GPA
Grading Criteria
Details of Assessment
Pass
S.
4.0
90 percent or higher
Represents particularly excellent grades.
A
3.0
80 percent
Represents excellent grades.
B.
2.0
70 percent
Represents grades recognized as adequate.
C.
1.0
60 percent
Represents the minimum grade acceptable as a pass.
Fail
D.
0.0
59 points or less failure
Represents that students have not reached the minimum grades acceptable as a pass
absence
0.0
Missing the exam
Represents that students have not taken the exam for the class or have not submitted a report, etc.
Unqualified
0.0
Not eligible to take the exam
Represents that students are not eligible to take the exam due to insufficient attendance at the class or have abandoned the course.
GPA Calculation Method
Credit Recognition
To earn credits
Credit system Courses at the university are based on credits. the credits are determined based on the number of hours of study, and one credit is based on 45 hours (15 hours for lessons, 15 hours for preparation, 15 hours for review) taking into consideration of the method of lessons and the educational effect of lessons.)
Class method
class time
Preparatory learning (preparation, review)
Lectures / Practices
15 to 30 hours
30 to 15 hours
Experiment / Practice / Practical skill
30 to 45 hours
15 hours
Get credit Credits can be earned by registering for classes at the beginning of each semester, attending classes, doing the necessary preparatory studies, and passing the examination. University credits are based on the number of class hours. As a general rule, if students do not attend at least 2/3 of the class hours, they are not be eligible to take the examination. Attendance is the first priority.
About graduation credits
In order to graduate, students must be enrolled for at least 4 years and earn at least 124 credits. The breakdown of the minimum number of credits required for graduation is as follows.
Minimum number of credits required for graduation (students enrolled in 2021)
Subject classification
Number of units
Remarks
Compulsory subjects
Communication subjects
8
Specialized courses
12
Elective compulsory subjects
Specialized courses
18
* Excess credits for elective compulsory courses are counted as specialized course credits.
Elective subjects
Comprehensive basic subjects Communication subjects
