The School of Economics at the University of Toyama traces its origins to the Takaoka Higher Commercial School, a national institution established in 1924. In 2024, the School will mark its 100th anniversary. Over the past century, it has produced many capable individuals who have made significant contributions to society. Now, in this milestone year, the School will be reborn with a new structure aimed at continuing to nurture the next generation of leaders.

Today, our social environment is undergoing dramatic and rapid changes. Amid these transformations, the challenges facing our regions, society, and businesses are becoming increasingly complex and diverse. There is a growing demand for individuals who can effectively address and solve such issues. To cultivate such talent, it is essential to acquire not only deep expertise and a broad, interdisciplinary perspective, but also the ability to think based on data and evidence rather than relying on experience or intuition.

In response, from April 2024, the School of Economics will unify its existing three departments into a single department: the Department of Economics and Business Administration. Within this department, three programs will be offered--Public Policy, Business Administration, and Economic Data Science. A key feature of this program structure is that it enables students to study across the three traditional areas of social science--economics, management, and law--while also systematically acquiring data science skills, regardless of their chosen program.

Through learning that combines social sciences with data science in the newly restructured Department of Economics and Business Administration, we hope students will develop practical problem-solving skills that are useful in society and grow into individuals who can make meaningful contributions to the world.