12 Best Economics Master's Degree Programs in Japan for 2024

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Master in International Management (MIM) degree with a specialization in Global Economics, awarded by the school's main campus in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned, and upon the recommendation of the school's Academic Council.

Energetic researchers in various fields of economics educate and inspire students on a one-to-one basis. The Department of Economics is divided into the master's course (M.A.) and the doctoral (Ph.D.) course. Both allow students to conduct research on the theory and applied areas of economics. During the M.A., students accrue knowledge from a wide perspective and nurture abilities necessary for conducting research on economics or pursuing professional occupations. In the doctoral course, students nurture their ability and the knowledge necessary for conducting advanced research activities in the field of economics.

The Graduate Program in Economics has two objectives: to give students the skills needed to engage in independent research in the future and to train professionals equipped with the knowledge to engage in highly specialized fields of work. Measures to achieve these goals include a diversity of classes, a separate admissions process for non-traditional students, and a selection of night classes. The curriculum is adjusted continuously in response to changing economic realities. In light of the trend toward computerization and other social transformations, recent resources have been devoted to the fields of information and public economics. Students may also take classes at eight affiliated universities. Here at Meiji Gakuin University, both lecture and seminar classes are intensive, providing an excellent setting for the study of advanced economic theory. Both Japan and other countries have faced many problems related to the economy and finance in recent years. Through the extensive application of theoretical, institutional, and historical knowledge, as well as through empirical analysis, students in the program develop the ability to understand these problems and come up with solutions. As a consequence, they also become capable of writing academic papers with real-world relevance. Phrased differently, the department is committed to nurturing our students' ability to recognize and solve problems not only through the application of knowledge but also by analyzing institutions and empirical evidence. The program is aimed both at fostering insightful scholars and educators with specialized as well as broad knowledge, and at contributing to the education of life-long learners and working students seeking to take the next step in their careers.

This degree program is not only to let students understand modern economics frameworks, but also to equip them with analytical tools in economics.

The Economics Program admits 50 students annually; it is ranked as one of the best economics graduate programs in Japan. Students must complete required courses of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Economic History, as well as courses relevant to specific fields, and pass their master theses to earn the Master of Economics degree. Field options include Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics, Public Economics. Monetary Economics, Labor Economics, International Trade, International Finance, Mathematical Economics, Behavioral Economics, History of Economics, Economic History, and Business History. Most graduates pursue doctoral degrees thereafter.

The Graduate School of International Politics and Economics offers a two-year master’s course aimed at fostering highly qualified professionals. The course is intended to train internationally-minded professionals with a broad global view and practical skills, through researches on politics, economics, laws and social situations in Asia from today’s standpoint in the Globalization Era.

In 1970, the Graduate School of Economics became the first graduate school at any private university in Hokkaido to offer a Master's Program in Economic Policy. This offering came in response to an increasing need to reconsider Japan's rapid economic growth and in answer to local demand for new perspectives in developing Hokkaido. Since its establishment, the Graduate School of Economics has educated students of remarkable talent in education, administration, business, and other areas. It also has accepted international students and students with full-time jobs, thus earning it favorable recognition from the public. The doctoral program was added in 1995, targeting those wishing to become qualified researchers at universities and other research institutions or specialists wishing to play a leading role in society.

The graduate program of Economics, Management, and Information Science has three research branches, Economics, Management, and Information Science, to provide high-level research and education applying to the undergraduate program. At the same time, this program provides education along with the development of each branch and the needs of the local economy. The Graduate Program in Economics, Management & Information Science focuses on fostering vocational specialists with rich specialized knowledge and practical experience. Needless to say, we accept ambitious students who wish to progress Ph.D. programs at other graduate schools to become professional researchers.

The Graduate School of Economics aims to turn out skilled experts who can deal with economic challenges and problems. To respond to various needs, the school offers a wide range of subjects in the fields of both economics and business administration so that students may select their majors and other related subjects according to their areas of interest, and develop their own research. Notable Features Fostering of outstanding individuals with analytical skills and policy-making abilities in economics Provision of a research environment with an international outlook and enrolment of international students Promotion of continued education and enrolment of working adults

Our Graduate School of Economics allows for the students to be enrolled in the regular course (through admission on recommendation/ general entrance examination) or the flexible course (through special entrance examination for working people). The flexible course is designed for people interested in lifelong learning. The demand for this is going to increase hereafter. Young and elderly people who have a thirst for knowledge can exchange ideas and give each other considerable stimulus and achieve their aims.

This course is distinctly international. Focusing on the West, China and, Asia, in particular, gives students a theoretical grounding in international economics and develops their ability in a foreign language. The course aims to produce students who go on to work in international companies and NGOs.

Learning economics requires a habit of quantitatively grasping logical thinking and the actual state of the economy. In order to acquire this ability and custom, we will focus on basic subjects of economics that cultivate economic thinking and mathematical subjects such as mathematics and statistics, and then finance/finance, international trade, and economic development, Students will study specialized subjects to theoretically and empirically analyze urban issues such as housing and transportation, and economic issues facing modern society such as medical care, pensions, and environmental issues. You can analyze various social and economic phenomena from an economic point of view and acquire the ability to evaluate yourself. In a system of careful guidance to each student through small-group education, small-scale seminars (seminars) in line with the research themes of each faculty member are set as the core of education, and by taking courses using English. We aim to train international business people.