Message

Message

 

Recently, we have been seeing and hearing more and more news about the economy. One of the issues that affects our daily lives most directly is rising prices. The recent increase in prices has not been caused by a single factor, but by a combination of factors, including the surge in energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the depreciation of the yen, and the fact that supply could not keep up with the recovery in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the prices of food, daily necessities, electricity, and gasoline have all risen, directly affecting our everyday lives.

At the same time, Japan is facing serious challenges such as a declining birthrate, an aging population, overall population decline, and labor shortages. As fewer children are born and the population continues to age, not only the total population but also the working-age population is shrinking. This has led to severe labor shortages in many sectors, including construction, nursing care, transportation, and the food service industry.

This is not simply a matter of having fewer workers. While the number of working people is decreasing, demand for social security services, such as healthcare, nursing care, and pensions, is increasing. As a result, the burden on the working generation and the long-term sustainability of public finances have become major issues.

A wide range of measures can be considered to address these challenges, including encouraging greater labor force participation by women and older adults, accepting more foreign workers, improving productivity through digital technology and automation, and strengthening support for child-rearing. However, none of these challenges can be resolved easily. They require steady effort and a long-term perspective.

At the School of Economics of Osaka Metropolitan University, we aim to foster “Active Global Economists,” or AGE. By this, we mean individuals who can proactively propose solutions to the issues facing both global society and local communities by drawing on their knowledge of economics, data analysis skills, cross-cultural understanding, ability to collaborate with others, and creative imagination.

Economics is not a magical tool that can solve every problem instantly. However, it is an extremely important discipline. It helps us understand how society works, identify the essence of problems, and think seriously about what we can do to build a better future.

The School of Economics is home to forty outstanding faculty members working in a wide range of fields, including economic history, institutions, theory, and applied economics. Through your studies here, I hope you will think deeply about what you can do to contribute to society.

We will do our very best to support your learning and growth.
Let us think together, learn together, and act together.