【Graduate School of Economics】JICA Students Experience the Historical Foundations of Japan’s Economic Development through Soroban Workshop
Since the 2020 academic year, the Graduate School of Economics has offered an English-based Degree Program in collaboration with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), enabling students to earn a master’s degree entirely in English.
This semester, students from the Republic of Zambia, the Republic of Malawi, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are enrolled in the program.
On June 5, Mr. Chanthavongsy Somsanith from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic delivered a presentation entitled “Heritage from the Tokugawa Era” in the course “Study on the Japanese Economy” taught by Professor Hironori Date. The course explores Japan’s economic development from the Tokugawa Era to the present day.
Following the presentation, students engaged in a lively discussion on improvements in agricultural productivity during the Tokugawa and Meiji periods. The discussion then turned to the social significance of Terakoya and whether the widespread teaching of reading, writing, and soroban (abacus) skills may have contributed to productivity growth and economic development.
To provide students with a hands-on learning experience, staff members from the Faculty of Economics Academic Affairs Office, who are skilled in the use of the soroban, demonstrated traditional calculation techniques. Students were then invited to try the soroban themselves.
Through this activity, students gained firsthand insight into how skills and knowledge were acquired and disseminated in pre-modern Japan. Participants shared the following impressions:
“The practical demonstration of how the soroban can be used for addition and subtraction was fascinating. It is an impressive non-digital calculating tool.” (Student from the Republic of Malawi)
“Trying the soroban was a unique experience that helped me better understand how practical skills and education contributed to Japan’s economic development and productivity growth.” (Student from the Republic of Zambia)
The Graduate School of Economics will continue to enhance experiential learning opportunities for JICA students through various initiatives, including fieldwork in rural, agricultural, mountainous, and fishing communities in Kochi Prefecture. Through these activities, students will deepen their understanding of the Japanese economy while acquiring practical knowledge and skills.
We look forward to sharing more of our students’ learning experiences and activities in the future.
