The Faculty of Economics was established in 1919, and the graduate school was established in 1953. Fostering a spirit of freedom and independence in its students is a key component of the faculty’s academic tradition. Economic scholars at Kyoto University began publishing the monthly journal Keizai Ronso (essays on economics) in 1914 and the Kyoto University Economic Journal in 1926 (the first western language academic journal on economics in Japan, subsequently published as an open refereed journal, the Kyoto Economic Review, since 2004). Among the faculty’s early professors, Hajime Kawakami and Yasuma Takata are of particular importance as the founders in Japan of Marxian economics and modern economics, respectively. The comprehensive research and development of those two traditional economic schools remains a characteristic of the faculty and graduate school to this day.
We constantly endeavour to build on our traditions, and upgrade our methods and curricula to prepare our students to meet any contemporary economic and social challenges. Our research aims to advance the frontiers of economic theory—from basic innovative ideas to high-level mathematical computational analysis—and also investigate the best methods to achieve sustainable economic development in the 21st century. The economic growth potential of East Asia is also within our scope of interests.
A rich and diverse curriculum at both undergraduate and graduate levels ensures that students gain the latest academic knowledge and practical skills. Homeroom seminars provide personal guidance and enable students to develop their social and academic networks.
The faculty welcomes ambitious candidates who seek to refine their creativity and humanity through the study of economics and management, and over one hundred international students enroll every year. The East Asia Sustainable Economic Development Studies Course, an English-taught graduate program with autumn enrollment, was launched in 2009.