Hirofumi Uzawa

Quick Facts: Who was Hirofumi Uzawa?

Subject:

Hirofumi Uzawa

Known for:

Pioneering Japanese economist known for mathematical economics and growth theory.

Born:

1928-07-21

Died:

2014-09-18

Century / Era:

1928s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hirofumi Uzawa (宇沢 弘文, Uzawa Hirofumi; July 21, 1928 – September 18, 2014) was a Japanese economist. Uzawa was born on July 21, 1928, in Yonago, Tottori to a farming family. He attended the Tokyo First Middle School (currently the Hibiya High School) and the First Higher School, Japan (now the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo). He graduated from the Mathematics Department of the University of Tokyo in 1951; he was a special research student from 1951 to 1953. At that time, he discovered the true nature of economics in the words of John Ruskin, “There is no wealth, but life.” which was quoted in the foreword to Tale of Poverty (貧乏物語, binbō monogatari) by Hajime Kawakami, and decided to study economics.

Career & Major Achievements

His paper on decentralized economic planning caught the eye of Kenneth Arrow at Stanford University. He went to study economics at Stanford University in 1956 with Fulbright fellowship, and became a research assistant, then assistant professor in 1956, then assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley in 1960, and then associate professor at Stanford in 1961. In 1962, he received a Ph.D. from Tohoku University. He became a professor at the University of Chicago in 1964, and a professor of University of Tokyo's Department of Economics in 1969. He also taught at Niigata University, Chuo University, and United Nations University.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Joseph E. Stiglitz and George A. Akerlof did research under Uzawa at the University of Chicago and David Cass studied under Uzawa at Stanford University. Uzawa was a senior fellow at the Research Center of Social Common Capital at Doshisha University. He held the position of the president of the Econometric Society from 1976 to 1977. He also held the position of Counsel for the Development Bank of Japan's Research Institute of Capital Formation (RICF) from 1968 until his passing. Uzawa initiated the field of mathematical economics in postwar days and formulated the growth theory of neoclassical economics.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1928 (1928-07-21): Birth of Hirofumi Uzawa — Pioneering Japanese economist known for mathematical economics and growth theory.
2. 1951: 1951 Milestone — He graduated from the Mathematics Department of the University of Tokyo in 1951; he was a special research student from 1951 to 1953.
3. 1956: 1956 Milestone — He went to study economics at Stanford University in 1956 with Fulbright fellowship, and became a research assistant, then assistant professor in 1956, then assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley in 1960, and then associate professor at Stanford in 1961.
4. 1964: 1964 Milestone — He became a professor at the University of Chicago in 1964, and a professor of University of Tokyo's Department of Economics in 1969.
5. 1968: 1968 Milestone — He also held the position of Counsel for the Development Bank of Japan's Research Institute of Capital Formation (RICF) from 1968 until his passing.
6. 1976: 1976 Milestone — He held the position of the president of the Econometric Society from 1976 to 1977.
7. 2014 (2014-09-18): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hirofumi Uzawa passed away on 2014-09-18, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hirofumi Uzawa

True or False: “Uzawa's early work focused exclusively on the application of classical mercantilist economic theories.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His initial studies led him to discover the true nature of economics through John Ruskin’s quote: 'There is no wealth, but life.'

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• 1928 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1928
• July 21 (07-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 21
• 2014 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2014
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hirofumi Uzawa