The Asian economies have shown remarkable development since the second half of the 1980s. Obviously, the background of this development was the rapid expansion of Ethnic Chinese economic networks connecting Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, China, and North America. The present project research is therefore aimed at investigating: (1) the essential networks of the Chinese Economic Community which are being created, and (2) the cooperation between Chinese businesses and multi-national corporations of Japan, Europe, and the USA. In addition, the market practices, current situation and types of foreign investment of large Chinese organizations (financial cliques) and business enterprises will be studied. Furthermore, the realities of family management within Ethnic Chinese business enterprises, the relationship between Ethnic Chinese and local business enterprises in Southeast Asia, the relationship between large provinces in Mainland China and Chinese business practices, etc., will also be examined. All in all, special attention will be given to the most distinctive, as well as informal, business entities of the so-called Chinese Economic Community, and the roles of Ethnic Chinese business enterprises in Asia.

This project research has been designed to examine the realities of Chinese and Ethnic Chinese economies in Asia. A comprehensive study on Chinese economies in Asia is a necessity, should anyone wish to understand the economic realities of Asian countries. Students are guided extensively to read newspapers, magazines, and books mainly on Asia. Within three months after the University's new term starts, students are asked to submit 3-5 page (1200-2000 words) reports either in Japanese or English. Each student is asked to decide on his or her research topic, which must be in some way relevant to the lectures, at an early stage. Revised reports must be re-submitted within two months of receiving private guidance from the Project Advisor (Supervisor). Students have to decide their fields of research and dissertation topics within six months, and to be involved in data gathering and extensive reading activities. Students are obliged to submit their well-designed research plans and written framework of their MA dissertations within a year, and then to start drafting/writing their dissertations as soon as possible. They have at least to modify and submit their dissertation drafts about three times before submitting their final draft to the University. The Project Advisor will make every effort to provide guidance for each student. It is hoped that most of the resulting dissertations may reach the highest standards of research.

Publications on "Ethnic and Chinese economic research" and research on "Ethnic Chinese economic communities" have been increasing rapidly in recent years. Students are encouraged to actively participate in international research programmes/workshops/ conferences, and in overseas study and research, in order to understand the real picture of the present stage of Chinese economic communities in Asia, and to gather and analyze the latest data on Chinese and Ethnic Chinese economic activities in this part of the world. The Project Advisor will make every effort to train his students in hopes that they will eventually become the owners of enterprises, specialists of international organizations, administrators of the public sector and government organizations, academic staff of universities and researchers of various research institutions, of the 21st Century. The Project Advisor, as an "Ethnic Chinese scholar" and an "Asia watcher," will fully utilize his personal contacts and extensive networks which he has built with academics, politicians, and entrepreneurs in Asian nations, and to provide comprehensive and exhaustive supervision to all promising students.