Faculty

Toyoaki WASHIDA

Profile

Born in 1955 in Fukui Prefecture. Graduated from Nagoya University School of Engineering Electrical Engineering Division. Left Kobe University Graduate School of Economics Doctoral Course without graduating. Assistant professor at Iwate University, professor at Wakayama University, Kobe University Professor, Kobe University Graduate School of Economics, Toyohashi Sozo University, and from 2005 to present, professor at Sophia University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies. Ph.D. (economics). Visiting researcher at Economic Planning Agency of Japan, and special researcher at Ministry of Finance Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy. Vice-chairperson of Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies (as of April, 2008), and chairperson of Sophia University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (as of April, 2009).

Introduction to Prof. WASHIDA's Research Activities

Environmental problems are being caused by economic activities of human beings. Creating a sustainable global community in which there is harmony between economic activities and the environment is an issue that cannot be avoided. In order to realize this harmony, we need to employ a variety of economic approaches such as

  1. Change the framework of production and consumption.
  2. Promote the voluntary efforts of companies and consumers.
  3. Change the markets that are created by the frameworks of economics.
  4. Implement efficient environmental policies through things such as environmental taxation and emissions trading.
  5. Promote the correct use of renewable and non-renewable resources.

In my environmental economic teaching and research office, I employ a range of diverse methodologies to these kinds of issues, including theoretical approaches, statistical demonstrative approaches, approaches that use inter-industrial and general equilibrium models, as well as those that use environmental economic evaluation methods.

Education and Research Focus at GENV

Students do not need any prior knowledge of economics because I teach students the fundamentals of economic thought through my Introduction to Economics lecture and my seminars. Students only require the ability in mathematics equivalent to that of a junior high school level because, in principle, I make use of charts so that students can understand the issues.

Also, in order for this to be of actual use to students in society, I attach a great deal of importance to developing in them the ability to conduct analysis using statistical data and quantitative data. This is an ability that students will need as soon as they start working in areas related to the environment, such as industries, research institutes, or the government. Using EXCEL, students will not only be able to conduct multiple classification analysis, such as regression analysis and inter-industry analysis, but will also gain the ability to conduct statistical analysis using a package tool called R, which is free software used by researchers worldwide. Also, for students who employ CVM or conjoint analysis in their master's thesis, we provide an Internet survey system.

What can students learn from taking Prof. WASHIDA's courses?

No prior knowledge of economics is required. Rest assured, I teach students in a way that allows them to gain a certain extent of advanced knowledge regarding environmental economics. In addition, students conduct presentations on topics of their own choice with the aim of improving their presentation skills and radicalizing their awareness of the issues.

Research Seminar Synopsis

These are some examples of the themes that students are tackling. The essays can be viewed here:

  • A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Measures against Allergies to Cedar Pollen due to Replanting Cedar Trees
  • Research on the Rebound Effect of the Prius
  • An Environmental Economic Evaluation of Marine Ecosystems and Marine Conservation Areas: The Case Study of Ogasawara National Park
  • A Cost-Benefit Analysis that Considers the Environmental Impact of Plans that Employ the Use of Woodland Thinning
  • Game-Theoretic Research regarding the Problem of Profit Allocation between Businesses in Developed and Developing Nations surrounding the Development of Biological Resources in Forests
  • An Investigation of the Policymaking and Operational Issues of Alien Organism Laws using Environmental Economic Evaluation
  • The Possibility of Flood Control Planning Decisions that Consider the Environment
  • An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Environmentally-Friendly Products and their Application in Environmental Marketing
  • An Analysis of the Impact that the Environmental Awareness of Employees has on the Environmental Activities of Companies and its Application in Environmental Accounting
  • The Possibility of Promoting Forest Preservation that Uses Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM)
  • Stimulus for the Rejuvenation of Farming Villages in Intermediate and Mountainous Areas and Real Policies that should be Undertaken