Let’s examine the community and the environment from an economic perspective! If you love Okinawa, come join us!

The Department of Regional Economics and Environmental Policy combines the study of regional economics, which searches for solutions to local economic problems, with environmental policy, which crafts policies that create environmental standards desirable to human society. The
department aims to train professionals who can contribute to society through a deep understanding of environmental conservation and the use of resources, based on economics.
　
People tend to see environmental problems as being a concern for natural science, but the real cause of these problems is the strain placed on the environment by the lifestyles of people living in modern society, characterized by mass production, mass consumption, and massive amounts of waste. For this reason, most environmental problems are caused by economic activity. Consequently, approaching such problems through a fusion of regional economics and environmental policy can be extremely beneficial. The stated goal of the department is “to train insightful specialists who can contribute to the creation of a recycling-oriented community that can achieve sustainable growth as a diverse modern society in the twenty-first century.” With this goal in mind, we offer a rich educational program that meets the needs of the local community. By learning about the local economy, culture, history, and natural environment, and examining the immediate surroundings, you’ll be able to deepen your understanding of regional economics and environmental policy.


Department Characteristics

The department offers a diverse curriculum based on the fundamentals of economics and with many subjects relating to the environment.

1. Students have freedom and flexibility in choosing subjects, to help them find their career paths.
2. Students learn about environmental problems and the latest economic trends in Okinawa, Japan, and the world.
3. Students learn about basic economic theories, application, and practice through a systematically organized curriculum.
4. Students are encouraged to widen and deepen their outlooks through a consideration of regional and environmental economics.
5. Students can take practical subjects for dealing with globalization and changes in information technology.
6. Students are offered subjects to help them acquire various licenses and certificates.
   
7. Students learn about theories and practices for improving the environment through economic activities.
8. Education and research in the department has been enriched through collaboration with the Graduate School of Regional Business and Economics.

The Department of Regional Economics and Environmental Policy aims to train individuals who can contribute to the development of regional economies while considering impacts on the environment, and who can help create a sustainable society through an economic consideration of local communities and the environment. The department therefore seeks applicants who can explain in their own words how they possess the following characteristics:

1. Applicants with a broad interest in the problems and solutions relating to the economy and environment of Okinawa and the world.
2. Applicants who are interested in Okinawa’s past, present, and future, and who strongly desire to contribute to the regional community.
3. Applicants who are interested in what takes place in society and who enjoy being active in the field.
4. Applicants who possess the basic academic ability needed to take university classes and who have the desire to study hard.

In their first year, students take the required subjects of Regional Economics I and II, in which they learn about the local economy, and Environmental Economics I and II, in which they learn about economic solutions to environmental problems. By taking specialized elective subjects, students deepen their knowledge of Okinawa’s economic and environmental concerns, and acquire the ability to contribute to the local community. In their third year, students choose seminars for pursuing their own interests, and in their fourth-year seminars, they write a graduation thesis summarizing the results of their investigations and research. Through this curriculum, students acquire a wide range of knowledge and culture.