Discovering What You Love in a Multicultural Environment
APU Student Portfolios
PROFILE
Shinnosuke Yokoyama
*Interview conducted in January 2026.
There was a time when he questioned the value of going to university.
At APU, however, he discovered a deep interest in economics.
As his perspective broadened and his interests evolved, he ultimately took on the challenge of redefining the theory of value.
JOURNEY
The Journey to Discovering What I Love
- Child Good with mechanical things
- JH/HS Interested in Money and Business
-
APU
Year 1 The Question: “What Is Money?” -
APU
Year 2 Learning Through Microeconomics and Macroeconomics -
APU
Year 3 Studying Abroad at a Leading Italian University for Economics and Finance -
Return
to APU Joining a Seminar and Studying Karl Marx's Capital -
APU
Year 4 Exploring the Definition of “What Is Value?”
What were you like in high school?
I attended an all-boys junior and senior high school and spent my school days carefree and freely enjoying myself. From a young age, I had a knack for mechanics and technology, and I loved analyzing how computer systems worked and tinkering with programs.
What made you decide to enroll at APU?
To be honest, there was a time when I kept wondering why I should even go to university. During that period, my parents told me about APU, and as I looked into it, I realized that I had a strong interest in money and business. I became attracted to the opportunity to study business administration in an environment where I could also learn English, a language I could hardly speak at the time.
How did you find university learning different from learning in high school?
In high school, learning was something that students did together, whereas at university, I felt that learning was something you had to actively pursue on your own. Without a proactive and motivated attitude, it can be difficult to gain the most from your education. However, APU provides an environment where, if you are willing to take initiative, you can develop those qualities and make the most of your learning opportunities.
What was the most memorable class you took after enrolling at APU?
Economics. Before entering university, I simply thought that making money was enjoyable and that having money would give me more options in life, so I assumed business administration would be interesting. However, through studying economics, I learned about how money actually flows through society and how it is connected to broader social issues. That experience made me start wondering, "What is money, really?" and sparked a new interest that motivated me to learn even more.
What did you do during your time at university?
I studied abroad. During the second semester of my third year, I spent six months at Bocconi University in Italy, which is well known for its strengths in business, economics, and finance, where I further developed my mathematical skills. Since there were very few Japanese students and exchange students came from all over the world, I was able to make good use of the English skills and intercultural competence I had developed at APU when building friendships.
After returning to Japan, not only did I benefit from the knowledge I had gained abroad, but my experience of engaging in academic discussions in English proved especially valuable. Thanks to that experience, I was able to actively participate in discussions in my seminar classes, which were conducted entirely in English.
Was there a particular course or professor that inspired the topic of your graduation thesis?
It was the microeconomics and macroeconomics courses I took in my second year. As I learned to analyze the concept of “price” from various perspectives, I became increasingly interested in the question, “What exactly is price?” That curiosity later led me to join Professor Yutaka Suzuki’s seminar. Through extensive discussions in his seminar, I analyzed business cycles from the perspective of Karl Marx’s Das Kapital, which provided me with an opportunity to explore the dynamics of capitalism and the concept of “value” itself.
What did you write your graduation thesis on?
I wanted to redefine one of the fundamental concepts in economics, so I chose to focus on “value.” My research was rooted in the field of economic philosophy known as value theory, which explores the question, “What is value?” We use the term “value” in everyday life in many ways, such as economic value and social value, but do we truly understand what it means? That was the question I set out to investigate. Through my research, I developed a definition that I believe is more convincing and better suited to the realities of contemporary society than existing interpretations.
How do you reflect on your four years at APU?
Looking back, one of the most valuable things I gained at APU was the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Being surrounded by such a wide variety of students made me realize how important it is to explain ideas in a way that others can easily understand. Developing that skill also helped me organize my own thoughts and retain what I learned more effectively.
Outside of my studies, I have always enjoyed traveling alone and visited many places both in Japan and abroad. One of my most memorable trips was to Uzbekistan, which I chose after hearing how delicious the food was. The experience definitely lived up to my expectations.
What are your plans after graduation, and what are your goals for the future?
After graduation, I will be pursuing a master's degree in the United Kingdom, where I plan to study applied economics and research methodologies in the social sciences. The carefree high school student I once was discovered a more academically driven and perfectionist side of myself at APU, which further fueled my passion for learning.
The deeper I delve into academic study, the more discoveries I make. I find great joy in accumulating those “aha!” moments of understanding that come from exploring ideas in depth. Those experiences broadened my perspective, ultimately led to my graduation thesis, and continue to motivate me to pursue further research in the future.
Do you have a message for prospective students?
Choosing your future path can be difficult, and it's natural to feel uncertain at times. However, stepping into a new environment can open up a whole new world and often leads you to discover interests and goals you never expected. Listen to the advice of those around you, keep an open mind, and don't dismiss opportunities before giving them a chance. I encourage you to challenge yourself and try as many things as possible.