Waseda University

This course provides an overview of contemporary Japanese politics via Public (Rational) Choice Theory which emphasizes major political actors such as voters, parliamentarians, special interest groups, and national bureaucrats. This class describes and discusses some of the basic aspects of Japanese politics, currently undergoing a drastic transformation due to societal changes and globalization. The course covers the following topics: Public (Rational) Choice Theory, along with its strengths and weaknesses; democracy in Japan; party politics; the electoral system and voting participation; Japan's population issues; Japan's defense and foreign policy; Japan's food and energy problems, and current topics in Japanese politics and foreign policy.

After surveying the basic tenets and history of Buddhism in India, this course discusses various aspects of Buddhist transmission from India via Central Asia (Silk Road) to East Asia. The course emphasizes practical aspects of Buddhism, including meditation, monastic life, and the production of Buddhist art. The course also explores doctrinal and devotional aspects of Buddhism. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, the course analzyes texts, art and archaeological remains, focusing on Buddhist caves as the place for practice. 

This course focuses on public policy and public finance, especially on their basic system and historical and theoretical backgrounds. Through cases of various nation states and international organizations, the course discusses the main issues of public policy and public finance, especially regarding their actors, leadership, resources and strategies.  The course pays special attention to the relationship between nation states and international organizations in terms of public policy coordination and fiscal adjustments. Recent topics such as performance measurement, policy evaluation and performance-based project budgeting are also discussed in the course.