Department of Regional Development
Faculty of Collaborative Regional DevelopmentFor those who wish to enroll in 2026
For information on the 2026 curriculum, please see the latest university guide below.
Department News
What is Department of Regional Development?
Reexamining the local area and revitalizing it. A new era begins there.
In Japan, the population aged 65 and over is expected to exceed 30% of the total population by 2025. An increasing number of regions are facing issues such as labor shortages and stagnant economic activity. To solve these issues, it is important to think about how to utilize regional culture, which is a social heritage and a common asset of the nation and has been handed down over a long history, in the new era and to reexamine the local community. In addition, now that interest in moving to rural areas is growing, the issue of how to create jobs and revitalize industry is an issue. In Department of Regional Development, students will acquire the specialized knowledge necessary to solve each problem through learning in a variety of fields such as public administration, law, economics, business administration, sociology, history, agriculture, and culture and art, and will develop enthusiastic and proactive human resources.
Admission Policy
- 01
- People who are interested in revitalizing and promoting the local community and have a strong desire to learn
- 02
- People who want to consider social issues from multiple perspectives, solve them themselves, and contribute to the development of the community.
- 03
- People who are willing to immerse themselves deeply in the local community and face the unique challenges of that community.
Characteristics of the Department
01 Inquiry-based education that interacts with the local community
We place emphasis on inquiry-based education through interaction with the local community, and foster practical skills to solve local issues. We provide thorough support for students' learning, with an eye toward what they will do after graduation, including the "Koshijuku" course, which aims to help students pass the civil service exam.
02Academic research rooted in the local community
We listen closely to what the local community has to say and think about the present and future of the community together with the local people. We value learning by going out to the community and seeing, hearing and experiencing things for ourselves.
03 Practical project activities
We will actively contribute to the local community through volunteering and project activities that promote the resolution of local issues. Students will be involved in practical activities to discover and solve problems on their own.
Advanced Program
A motivational support program!
Civil service exam preparation program with detailed instruction
[Koshijuku]
This is a special program for students who are aiming to pass the civil service exam. Departmental faculty members will provide practical instruction in line with the exam. Through the departmental courses, students will aim to become civil servants involved in creative work in the local community.
- Written exam preparation courses and interview preparation courses taught by full-time faculty members, including those with civil service experience
- Workshops were held with current public servants (graduates)
- Equipped with a dedicated study room that is only available to Koshijuku students
- Civil Service Exam Successful ...
2021: 9 people (Kitakyushu City Hall, Itoshima City Hall, Hyuga City Hall, etc.)
2022: 17 people (Oita Prefectural Office, Fukuoka City Hall, Kitakyushu City Hall, etc.)
2023: 12 people (Miyazaki Prefectural Office, Kagoshima Prefectural Office, Kitakyushu City Hall, etc.)
*Total number of people, excluding fiscal year contract employees.
Four-year learning process
First year: A wide range of basic education
Students will study a wide range of subjects, including public administration, law, economics, business administration, sociology, and history, which are necessary for solving regional issues.
Examples of common subjects in the department
Pre-seminar, Introduction to Regional Administration, Introduction to Regional Management, Introduction to Law I, Introduction to Law II (including International Law), Modern Information and Media Studies, History of Fukuoka, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Business Management, Introduction to Marketing
etc.
Choosing a course for the second year and acquiring problem-solving skills
By selecting a course and attending intensive small-class lectures, students will acquire in-depth knowledge of the local area and problem-solving skills.
Examples of common subjects in the department
Regional Co-creation Seminar I, Regional Co-creation Seminar II I, Constitutional Law I, Constitutional Law II, Regional Resource Theory, Politics, Public Administration, Sociology I, Sociology II, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Japanese History, Special Lectures on Regional Administration I, Special Lectures on Regional Administration II, Introduction to Work Experience
etc.
Third year: Integrated theory and practice
Students will set local issues, develop and implement solutions, and deepen their learning of theory and practice.
Examples of common subjects in the department
Graduation Research Seminar I, Introduction to Ethics, Regional Geography, Philosophy, Psychology, Foreign History, Special Lectures in Sociology I, Special Lectures in Sociology II, Special Lectures in Japanese History I, Special Lectures in Japanese History II, Special Lectures in Regional Administration III, Special Lectures in Regional Administration IV, Regional Career Seminar
etc.
4th year: Activities for the future (employment and further education)
Under the guidance of a professor, students will complete their graduation research while utilizing the specialized knowledge they have acquired up to that point.
Examples of common subjects in the department
Graduation Research Seminar II
etc.
Select a course from the second year
-
Regional Administration Course
To develop public servants who have a public perspective and can contribute to revitalizing local communities
Through theoretical and practical courses in law, public administration, etc., students will learn the basic knowledge necessary to work in a public institution and will be trained to become human resources with the practical skills to work in collaboration with the local community.
- Elective Class
Business Examples- Regional Policy I, Regional Policy II, Social Policy, Economic Policy, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Civil Law I, Civil Law II, etc.
- Elective Class
-
Regional Management Course
Nurturing local leaders who will produce the local future
We aim to develop talented individuals who can look at their local area from a multifaceted perspective, including industry and culture, and who have the practical skills to discover and solve problems through social research theory and practical courses.
- Elective Class
Business Examples- Regional industry theory, regional service industry theory, regional distribution industry theory, marketing theory, regional media theory, festival culture theory, regional community survey design, regional community data analysis, qualitative survey methods, organizational management theory, regional agricultural industry theory, regional food industry theory, regional marine industry theory, regional culture theory, strategic management theory, business systems theory, public relations and PR theory, tourism, regional ICT theory, regional community survey theory, quantitative survey methods
- Elective Class
Class Pickup
While students think for themselves,
Aim to acquire basic knowledge of civil law
民法Ⅰ・II | 岡田 希世子 教授
Simply put, "civil law" is the rules of civil society. People will inevitably come into contact with civil law as they participate in civil society, live, get married, and go about their lives. Civil law is a general private law that regulates a wide range of areas, including contracts, owning things, and inheriting one's parents' estate, and knowledge of it is not only necessary in everyday life, but also for various exams such as the civil service exam and financial planning exams. This class is an interactive class in which students will think for themselves and aim to acquire basic knowledge of civil law through familiar examples.
"Manufacturing companies" that support the local community
Thinking about diverse activities
Regional Industry Theory | Professor Katsunori Yokoi
What is your image of manufacturing? A craftsman? A craftsman? While that image is important, manufacturing can actually be understood much more broadly. Creating an idea, shaping it into a thing (product), and delivering it to customers to make them happy. This series of activities can also be thought of as manufacturing. And there are many companies in local areas that are involved in this type of manufacturing, supporting the region. So, what can manufacturing companies do to increase their competitiveness? In this class, we will consider the diverse activities of manufacturing companies from this perspective.
Seminar Pickup
Munakata Yu Seminar
Utilizing the specialized knowledge gained in the course,
Aiming to solve local issues
The aim is to organize and examine the problems facing local governments through reports on local government and participatory discussions, and to outline the ideal form of local government. In addition, we cooperate with nature conservation groups to clean up beaches and cooperate with environmental NGOs in sorting garbage, and we give back the results of our research to the local community through practical activities. In addition to acquiring knowledge, we aim to improve problem-solving and communication skills.
In the Munakata seminar, there are many opportunities to talk and work together not only with fellow seminar members, but also with people from outside the university, such as members of nature conservation groups. I believe that this environment is connected to my own learning and growth.
Hideaki Kondo, 3rd year
Tosu High School/Saga
Eiko Yamashita Seminar
Well-being: Live your life the way you want
Places to visit
We are engaged in two main activities. 1) Research and activities aimed at solving local issues and improving the area's appeal. We hold exchange workshops in the Chihaya area near the university, and learn about community development in a practical way. 2) We conduct a gender-based survey of university student attitudes and present the results off-campus. We engage in activities to disseminate the values and ideas of the younger generation to older generations and the local community. Through these activities, we hone our research and communication skills.
Participating in the "Asubaru Gender Equality Forum" as part of my seminar was a very good experience. I was able to give a presentation on topics such as "difficulties facing men in life" and discuss them with people older than me, which I think was a valuable opportunity.
Aoi Taguchi, 3rd year
Hakuryo High School/Fukuoka
Qualifications and career path data
Qualifications to aim for
- ■ Junior high school teacher license (social studies)
- ■High school teacher license (civics)
- ■Qualifications for appointment as social welfare director
- ■ Social Researcher
- ■Administrative scrivener
- ■ Curator, Social Educator (Training Course), etc.
Industry Graph
Main Employment Destinations
Oita Prefectural Office/Miyazaki Prefectural Office/Kagoshima Prefectural Office/Fukuoka City Hall/Kitakyushu City Hall/Munakata City Hall/Beppu City Hall/Shimabara City Hall/Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters/Saga Prefectural Police Headquarters/Nagasaki Prefectural Police Headquarters/Miyazaki Prefectural Police Headquarters/Fukuoka Prefectural Junior High School Teachers/JA Okayama/ Nishi-Nippon City Bank Ltd./Fukuoka Chuo Bank Ltd./The Juhachi Shinwa Bank Ltd./Miyazaki Taiyo Bank Ltd./Yamaguchi Financial Group/Fukuoka Hibiki Shinkin Bank/Kagoshima Mutual Shinkin Bank/Japan Post Co., Ltd./Kyushu Railway Company/Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd./Kyudenko Corporation/Lawson Co., Ltd./Ito En Co., Ltd./Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd.
Graduate Interview
Akane Uto
Nichinan High School / Miyazaki
- Employment
- Miyazaki Prefectural Office
Through the classes and research in Department of Regional Development, I was able to rediscover the challenges and attractions of the region, and I began to want to work as a public servant in a job that helps people. Through my work, I want to be a bridge that connects people with each other, and people with the region.
Masaya Matsumoto
Kokuraminami High School/Fukuoka
- Employment
- Kitakyushu City Hall
The reason I chose Kitakyushu City Hall is because of my love for my hometown. There are several teachers in Department of Regional Development who are former civil servants. Since the local civil servant exam covers a wide range of subjects, having teachers who are knowledgeable about a wide range of topics is a big advantage.
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What is Department of Regional Development?
Reexamining the local area and revitalizing it. A new era begins there.
In Japan, the population aged 65 and over is expected to exceed 30% of the total population by 2025. An increasing number of regions are facing issues such as labor shortages and stagnant economic activity. To solve these issues, it is important to think about how to utilize regional culture, which is a social heritage and a common asset of the nation and has been handed down over a long history, in the new era and to reexamine the local community. In addition, now that interest in moving to rural areas is growing, the issue of how to create jobs and revitalize industry is an issue. In Department of Regional Development, students will acquire the specialized knowledge necessary to solve each problem through learning in a variety of fields such as public administration, law, economics, business administration, sociology, history, agriculture, and culture and art, and will develop enthusiastic and proactive human resources.
Reasons for studying in Department of Regional Development
-
Point 1
Social researcher training and project-based education
-
Point 2
Practical skills development courses taken by all students (community-based)
-
Point 3
Regional internships
Characteristics of education, research, and social contributions
Special program for passing the civil service exam
A special program called "Koshijuku" is being implemented for those who pass the selection exam. By inviting current local government alumni to hold workshops, providing courses in liberal arts, and backing up students' learning with courses on interview preparation, the program aims to train public servants who will be involved in creative work in the region.
[9 people passed the 2021 civil service exam]
A shortcut to qualification: Social Researcher Program
Students study all aspects of social research within the regular curriculum. Upon graduation, they can obtain qualifications as social researchers (subject-specific course registration is required after enrollment), and they are trained to become experts in social research.
Inquiry-based education centered on local fieldwork
Through interaction with the local community, students will recognize local issues, and create and implement plans to solve and revitalize the area. Furthermore, students will learn the know-how to evaluate and improve these plans, and develop practical skills to manage the area with the aim of creating a better community.
Flow of the four years
curriculum
Regional Administration Course
We train public servants who have a public perspective and can contribute to revitalizing local communities.
Through a curriculum centered on law, administration, and economics, which are necessary for students aiming to become civil servants, students will learn local government and administration from the basics, and will be trained to be human resources who can contribute to the appropriate management of local areas and the revitalization of the economy and industry from a public perspective.
Regional Management Course
Cultivate local leaders who will produce the future of their region.
We use marketing research methods to verify the value of the region, and then search for better solutions for the development of the region. We develop local leaders who can solve local issues and produce the future by acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to discover new attractions and develop brand strategies for the region.
Class Introduction
Introduction to Business Management
Learn mechanisms to get things done better.
Simply put, "management" is "the way of managing in order to achieve goals." When you think about it that way, management is important not only for companies, but for all organizations, including local governments and NPOs. In this class, we will use examples of highly successful organizations, from global companies to local governments, to consider the secrets to their success. This is an essential subject for leaders who lead companies and communities.
Regional food industry theory
Let's unravel the mysteries of local food systems.
Food is closely linked to local industries and economies, such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, food processing, food distribution, and the restaurant industry, which form a food system that is interconnected. In this class, we will learn how our eating habits affect the local food system and how food is delivered to us, through theory, case studies, and discussions. This class is recommended for students aiming to work in the food distribution industry, restaurant business, or agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
Department Topics
Promoting the town's charms through Chikujo Town Karuta cards and videos.
Michinaru Project
A project in which high schools and universities work together to develop human resources for community development. They produced "Chikujo Town Karuta" cards to promote the town and held a tournament. The stories that incorporate the places depicted in the cards are used in videos to promote the town.
Responsible for event management and making suggestions to improve the event's appeal.
Volunteer activities aimed at increasing the appeal of local revitalization events
Participated as a management volunteer in the "Fukutsu Kofun Festival" and investigated the event from the inside. Based on the results, proposed issues and improvement plans to the organizers, which were highly praised.
If you want to become a civil servant.
Public Servant Training Program "Koshijuku"
We offer special programs for students who are aiming to pass the civil service exam. Not only do we offer exam and interview preparation courses, but we also have a dedicated exam preparation room.
Career Destination Data
- Qualifications to aim for
- ■Junior high school teacher's license (social studies) ■High school teacher's license (civics) ■Qualification for appointment as a social welfare officer ■Social researcher ■Administrative scrivener ■Curator ■Librarian ■Social education specialist (training course) etc.
- Destination of employment
- ■Local government officials (prefectural and city hall officials, police officers, firefighters, etc.) ■National government officials ■Community-based companies ■Community revitalization businesses, etc.
Graduate Interview
Haruki Yamashita
Place of employment: Kitakyushu City Hall
Kyushu Sangyo University Kyushu Sangyo High School / Fukuoka
I was able to broaden my horizons by conducting field surveys and taking lectures from outside lecturers. As I learned about community development, I became interested in local government officials who solve government policies and issues.
Graduate Interview
Kubo Eika
Employer: Nishi-Nippon City Bank, Ltd.
Kyushu Sangyo University Kyushu High School/Fukuoka
In this department, I was able to learn about various forms of community contribution and broaden my horizons. I had a strong desire to do work that would benefit people and the community, so I think I was able to find a job at a company that was a perfect fit for me.
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