This website includes important information for the Studies in Multicultural Economies course offered through the Faculty of Economics. Our goal in this course is to learn about business and culture in other countries. At the same time, we will reflect on the relationship between Japan and the rest of the world.
This course will be conducted in English and students are encouraged to develop their English language skills as much as possible.
You can contact the instructor at bjones[at mark]eb.kobegakuin.ac.jp or by phone (078-974-5408).
Schedule Update
We are nearing the end of the term and groups should be polishing their report and preparing the PowerPoint presentation.
December 17 - PowerPoint Presentation Practice - 3 mini-quiz questions about your topic.
January 7 - Presentations and Reports Due
January 17 - Mini Quiz #5 (2 or 3 questions about each group's presentation/report) This quiz will be worth 40 points.
January 21 - Review scores and wrap up activity
EXTRA CREDIT
You can earn extra points by completing chapters 7 - 15 in the workbook. Bring this to class on Jan. 17.
Mini Quiz #5 - This quiz consists of questions prepared by students. Some questions will require complete sentences for answers. Other questions will be multiple choice or True or False. This quiz will be worth 40 points.
China- Ikebuchi, Noguchi, Tsukasa, Nagata
What is the main theme of the Beijing Olympics? The main them is Green Olympics.
What are two of the four main eco-friendly efforts leading up to the Beijing Olympics? Environmental efforts include (1) waste management, (2) acceleration of prohibition of ozone-depleting substances, (3) promotion of move from coal to natural gas, and (4) expansion of rental bicylcle use.
What has resulted from these environmental efforts? These efforts have resulted in a decrease of the air pollution index.
China - Kawabata, Mori, Tamura, Nagata
What is the budget for infrastructure improvements related to Beijing Olympics? The budget for these improvements is over 850 billion yen.
How much is China’s GDP expected to increase due to the Olympics? The GDP is expected to grow by 0.3 to 0.4 points every year.
What is one characteristic of the Olympic Effect? Economic influence is expected to spread to the suburbs.
China - Asano, Murakami, Kuroda, Shimogaki
What is the most imitated good (pirated goods) in China? DVDs are the most pirated goods in China.
How much wa the total financial damage in Japan in 2005? The financial damage to Japan in 2005 was approximately 100 billion yen.
China - Onoue, Ogura
Why is the garbage problem different in the city and countryside? Environmental thinking is different in urban areas and the countryside.
How much garbage was thrown away in 1995? About 100 million tons of garbage was thrown away in 1995.
Thailand - Yamada, Maki, Kanazawa, Tachinami
What is You-Tube? You-Tube is an internet site delivering various animations free to the whole world.
Why was You-Tube prohibited in Thailand? A video that insulted the Thai king was published on You-Tube and a request by Thailand to stop the video was refused.
What percentage of Thai people are Buddhist? Over 90% of Thai people are Buddhist.
Thailand - Kawasaki, Saito, Sakino
How does Thailand rank in world rice production and export? Thailand ranks 6th in world rice prodction and 1st in world rice exports.
How much did the GDP increase in Thailand in 2006? The GDP figure rose 6% in 2006.
What items top the list of exports from Thailand? Top exports include textiles and footwear, fishery products and rice.
Thailand - Inoue, Yokoyama and Takai
Why is there such an economic gap between Bangkok and the Northeast Region? This gap is due to the high level of urbanization around Bangkok.
How much did the economic growth rate drop in 1998? The economic growth rate dropped by 4% in 1998.
Where did companies in the Northeast relocate production facilities to after the wage increase? These companies shifted production to China.
Vietnam - Kurosaki, Ohba, Fukunaga
Why can’t Vietnamese children play safely outside these days? Because there are still many unexploded bombs in the ground.
Why will victims live in despair in the future? Because they cannot work to support themselves.
How many landmines are estimated to be buried in Vietnam? There are an estimated 3.5 million landmines there.
Vietnam - Goto, Tanizaki, Daishi
How much did land prices in Vietnam increase in 2006? Land prices in Vietnam increased by 6.6% in 2006.
What was the exchange rate for the Vietnamese Dong and the Japanese yen in October, 2007? The exchange rate was 141 dong to the Japanese yen.
On average, how much is the economy in Vietnam expected to grow over the next 15 years? The economy is expected to grow by 7.6% over the next 15 years.
Philippines - Unno, Fujimoto, Lin
What is the full name of NEHA? The full name is Negros Education Helping Activities.
What is the cause of economic hardship in Negros? Economic hardship is the result of a sharp decrease in sugar prices.
What are some activities that NEHA is involved in? NEHA activities include support for (1) educating foster parents (2), educational facilities, (3) promoting independence, and (4) visiting and corresponding with foster children.
Facts about Laos and the neighboring countries can be found here. |
