Faculty Introduction
OKUYAMA, Tadahiro professor
Specialized fields
Public economics, environmental economics, policy evaluation, etc.
Subjects Taught
Economics, policy evaluation theory, environmental policy theory
About Department of Policy Design
Department of Policy Design is a place where many faculty members address "solving social problems" from their respective academic fields. Within this context, I would like to lecture on solving social problems from an economic perspective. Economics is the field of sociology that is closest to the daily lives of citizens and is an important discipline that considers the foundations of people's daily lives. I would like students to learn the basics of solving social problems by considering solutions to everyday issues such as "difficulty shopping" and "high prices," and then provide them with opportunities to consider larger themes such as "revitalizing local shopping streets" and "promoting regional industries" based on that knowledge and experience. In doing so, I would like each student to think about "what causes problems" and "what method is most efficient in solving those causes," and to learn the importance and efficiency of working together to address social problems through discussions with others.
Introduction to specialized fields
My area of expertise is called "environmental assessment." Many people might be thinking, "What's that?" But this field has been playing a very important role in recent years. Everyone wants to drink clean water, right? Many people also dislike breathing air polluted with pollen. So, how much tax money should the national, prefectural, and municipal governments invest to solve these problems? 100 million yen? Or would 1 billion yen be better? Environmental assessment is the study of measuring the economic effect of restoring polluted natural environments—for example, stating that the environmental damage amounted to 2 billion yen. Environmental assessment is very useful in development projects that are likely to cause environmental damage, as it allows us to measure that damage using an easily understandable indicator like economic effect. This helps prevent environmental problems from occurring in advance, and even if environmental problems do occur, it helps us to communicate the magnitude of the problem to society in an easy-to-understand way.
Introduction to Exercises I and II
Theme: Thinking about urban development using economics
- We will consider the significance and effectiveness of public policies in addressing various social problems.
- In the lectures, we will think about methods for analyzing social problems and solutions to them through group work and presentations.
- We conduct on-site investigations in areas where problems are actually occurring, such as disasters and the protection of the natural environment.
Message to high school students
It's very difficult to think about what you want to become in the future. However, if you want to continue living in a way that connects you to your hometown and community, then please come to Department of Policy Design. You might be able to help your friends and family back home when they're in trouble. I look forward to meeting you all.