ESOPExchange Students from Overseas Program

The main objectives of this course are to examine the origin and evolution of a wide array of ordinary Japanese goods and to trace their connections to the global economy. Though the study of commonplace Japanese goods, students will analyze the influence of consumerism on culture, business, and society both inside Japan and around the world.

The goals of this course are (1) To explore the origin and evolution of a wide array of ordinary Japanese goods ranging from ramen and cameras to cosmetics and anime, and (2) to trace their connections to the global economy and consumerism in Japan and other parts of the world. By following the 'journey' of Japanese goods through time and space, students will learn some features of Japanese goods and discuss their impact on culture, business, and society.

英語 / English

Interactive lectures, discussions, and a guided museum visit provide students with knowledge of the key concepts covered in the course.
*The course incorporates 'active learning,' whereby students will select/design a fieldwork project related to the course themes and present their findings in class at the end of the semester.
*Feedback on assignments/tests during office hours and/or during class.

あり / Yes

あり / Yes

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[対面/face to face]：Introduction to the course and key terms

Explanation of the course and its themes/goals

2[対面/face to face]：Rice cookers

Changing lifestyles during the high growth period

3[対面/face to face]：Ramen and instant cup noodles

The Westernization of the Japanese diet

4[対面/face to face]：Coffee and coffee shops

Japan's connection to the global coffee industry

5[対面/face to face]：Japanese green tea

The evolving image of Japanese goods

6[対面/face to face]：Wrap up and discussion

Comparing global and local marketing strategies for Japanese goods

7[対面/face to face]：Cosmetics

The homogenization of beauty and the globalization of the beauty industry

8[対面/face to face]：Cameras

The role of the camera industry in changing the image of Japanese goods

9[対面/face to face]：Field trip

Camera Museum visit

10[対面/face to face]：Pokemon and Cool Japan

Culture (soft power) as a vector for globalization

11[対面/face to face]：Sports and Japanese athletes

Japanese athletes as objects of consumerism

12[対面/face to face]：Presentations and discussion

Small group presentations

13[対面/face to face]：Presentations and discussion

Small group presentations

14[対面/face to face]：Review and final wrap up

Discussion of Japanese goods and the global economy

Students are expected to do the reading assignments each week. Their final projects will require preparation, such as group discussions and field work outside of class. The average study time outside of class per week is at least 4 hours.

There is no textbook for this class. Reading materials and PPTs used in class will be provided on Hoppii.

Selected references:
*Pierre-Yves Donzé and Julia Yongue, Japanese capitalism and entrepreneurship: a history of business from the Tokugawa era to the present, Oxford University Press, 2024.
*Pietra Rivoli, The travels of a t-shirt in the global economy: an economist examines the markets, power, and politics of world trade, Wiley, 2014.
*Thomas Friedman, The Lexus and the olive tree: understanding globalization, Picador, 2012.
*Geoffrey Jones, Entrepreneurship and multinationals: global business and the making of the modern world, Edward Elgar, 2013.

(1) Participation: taking part in class discussions; assignments; museum visits (30%).
(2) Group work: presenting and leading a discussion based on the reading assignment (20%)
(2) Final project (50%): group presentation and individual report, based on the presentation.
Students are expected to attend all of the classes and to be on time.

N/A. Students are welcome to make requests or voice complaints and concerns at any time during the semester.