Dr. Yoshihide Fujioka, Professor of Social Policy, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University, Japan visited MYRA School of Business as part of his month-long tour in India to identify and understand issues pertaining to the social fabric of the two countries.
His research interests being Economic Sociology of Welfare Policy, Dr.Fujiyoka addressed the business students on how economic conditions are different in different countries and that they depend on social relations, local culture and local community. The prerequisites for the market system to function successfully; the principles of Individualistic Liberalism, Contribution Principles, Market Failure, significance of Redistribution Policy and Necessity of Social Security System were the focus of his talk.
The role of the government in providing Social Capital and the Redistribution Policies; the Social Security System in Japan -Social Insurance System (Pension Plan, Medical Services, Workers' Compensations, Employment); and Welfare System for the underprivileged, children and elderly citizens of the country. He explained that corruption is never allowed to be part of the government's social security system in Japan. The Market, the Community and the Government form the essential three elements of the Social Order.
Dr.Fujiyoka took the students through a journey of his project that applied economic sociology. This project was carried out by his students under his guidance-the Log House Construction-in Kannonji village near Kobe University, Japan. This project was executed to facilitate students to participate in routine village activities -they would go to the village every week; simultaneously they also assisted the villagers to manage a forest by participating in a rice-planting activity. All these required the approval of the village heads, the cooperation of local craftsmen and was finally completed in 2013, he said.
The talk was well received by the Business Management students as was evident from the intellectual interactions that followed the talk.