“The Fiscal and Financial System in Modern China:The Economics of Globalization and Central-Local Relations” (Nagoya University Press. 2011)

Kai Kajitani (Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kobe University)

　 I am really honored to receive the 28th Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Prize, for my book: “The Fiscal and Financial System in Modern China: The Economics of Globalization and Central-Local Relations”.

　The main purpose of my research is to understand the Chinese economy in reform era inclusively as possible, by focusing on the flow of funds between regions through fiscal and monetary system.

　Therefore, methodology and topics in my book is not limited to the institutional or empirical study on the fiscal and monetary system, and also across quite a wide range. For example, the analysis of the behavior of local governments using the framework of new institutional economics, or of global imbalances and exchange rate based on international macroeconomics, are included in my research.

　It is quite precarious whether these descriptions fit together as a whole, and has formed a coherent image as a whole. In spite of it, I am still stuck to the style like this, because I think that it is not desirable to fit the analysis based on the only single methodology to the complex realities in China.

　Rather, I believe that there is a specific significance of area studies in scooping up carefully the phenomenon which spill from the theoretical framework, and to integrate it again on the basis of a coherent image. This is the main reason for me to continue the study of the Chinese economy.

　Otherwise, if we look on the current situation in Japanese academism, unfortunately, it is not forced to say strong headwind is blowing against the style of such area studies. Actually, under the situation that the international rankings of universities is getting more important, which is calculated from the mutual evaluation and papers published in the influential English journals, it may be said to area studies which tend to avoid specializing in specific discipline, placed in a disadvantageous position.

　However, I myself believe that the special feature and mission of area studies, providing the foundation to integrate multiple methods of research, are becoming more and more important.

　When we view the current unstable state of Japan-China relationship in recent years, in particular, we have the fear that the piecemeal understanding without such a “foundation” might mislead the understanding about complicated reality of the China. We would like to continue to pursue how to develop and inherit such a “foundation” based on the area study for Chinese economy, as an issue in my research activities in the future.

　his award really encouraged me to tackle such unmerited challenges. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the staff of the foundation, the steering committee, and all those who encouraged and supported me.

Profile
Born in 1970, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Economics,
Kobe University. Education is: Ph.D. in Economics, 2001, Kobe University, M.A. in Economics, 1994, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.
Previous Career is: Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kobegakuin University, April 2004-March 2010, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kobegakuin University, October 2000 -March 2004.
Fields of Interest is: Studies for Chinese Economy, Development Economics, and Comparative Economics.
Authored Books is: Kabe-to Tamago-no Gendai Chugoku-ron, Jinbun-syoin, October, 2011.