Admission requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course. Non-major Japanstudies students will also be admitted so long as there is seating available.
Description
The course focuses on the transformation of Japan’s political economy from the period of postwar reconstruction (1945-1960) and rapid economic growth (1960s-1970s) via the “lost decades” following the burst of the economic bubble (1990s and 2000s), the ensuing attempts to rekindle economic growth with neoliberal reforms, and the eclectic “Abenomics” agenda in the face of mounting demographic and social pressures (2012-2020). The course is divided into two sections. The first block provides an overview on Japan’s postwar political economy and introduces different theoretical approaches to understand Japan’s model of capitalism. Spotlight sessions focus on selected issues in more detail, including employment and industrial relations, trade, and the (rural) developmental state. The second block focuses on the ongoing transformation of Japan’s political economy, based on a theoretical framework to understand gradual institutional change and stability in advanced political economies. Spotlight sessions pick up on selected topics from the first block to and introduce new topics, including energy politics and immigration.
Through the course, students will be able to grasp the historical trajectory of the political economy of Japan through periods of both economic growth and prolonged stagnation. Further, students will be introduced to basic concepts and theoretical frameworks to explain change and stability in Japan’s model of capitalism.
Course objectives
This course provides an introduction to key developments in the political economy of modern Japan and theoretical approaches to understand these developments from a comparative perspective.
By the end of the course students should be able to:
Understand how the Japanese political economy has changed from the postwar period onwards
Understand different theoretical approaches in the field of comparative political economy and apply them to the trajectory of the Japanese political economy
Understand theoretical approaches to institutional change and stability and apply them to the trajectory of the Japanese political economy
Critically discuss current socio-economic and political challenges facing Japanese capitalism
Clearly and coherently communicate insights and ideas on Japan’s political economy and its transformation in discussions and in writing.
Timetable
See timetable
Mode of instruction
Lecture
The course is designed as an interactive lecture. Each session is comprised of an input lecture by the instructor and interactive elements based on the required readings and additional materials. The interactive elements can take the form of group discussions, short presentations, or simulations, depending on the topic and the structure of each session. Students are expected to read the required text(s), prepare questions beforehand, and attend each session ready to participate actively.
Assessment method
Assessment
1) Mid-term exam (multiple choice and short open questions, 20%)
2) Literature report (1,000 words, 20%)
3) Final exam (multiple choice and short open questions, 60%)
Information on the literature report will be provided in class.
Weighing
The final grade is established by determining the weighted average of all elements. In order to pass the course the average of the Mid-term exam and the Final exam must receive a passing grade (6 or higher) and the literature report must have been submitted on time.
Resit
Students whose combined average of the Mid-term and Final Exams is below a passing mark will be administered a combined resit examination covering the entire course material. The outcome of the combined resit supersedes earlier results on the midterm and final exams.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
The course is structured around the following core textbooks (available online through the university library):
Flath, David. 2022. The Japanese Economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press (4th ed.).
Hoshi, Takeo and Philipp Lipscy (ed.). 2021. The political economy of the Abe government and Abenomics reforms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lechevalier, Sebastian (ed). 2014. The great transformation of Japanese capitalism. Oxon: Routledge.
Rosenbluth, Frances McCall and Michael Thies. 2010. Japan transformed: Political change and economic restructuring. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Additional texts and materials will be provided in the syllabus and via Brightspace. Each session will be based on 1-2 required readings and supplementary readings, which will be announced via Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Vrieshof