Doctoral Program in Japanese Studies

Admission policy:

The admission decision, based on the screening of papers/theses and the supporting application documents, will be based on the assessment of master’s theses or other scholarly papers (in the case of the submission of papers that were previously published separate from the master’s thesis, both the master’s thesis and the published papers will be considered), the research proposal, as well as on other supporting documents.

1. Master’s theses and academic papers will be assessed on their format, originality, applicability, theory, and substantiality. The application research statement will be evaluated on originality and organization.
2. For the final decision on admission there will be an interview that will consider the individual, content of his or her responses, and potential. The final assessment will be made based on these criteria.

Graduation Requirements

A Ph.D. is awarded to those students who have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Study for three years or more. The period of study may be shortened under special circumstances for students who have attained outstanding achievement in their research.
2. Acquisition of required credits and receipt of necessary research guidance from the Department of Japanese Studies.
3. Preparation of a dissertation and a successful defense of the dissertation in the final oral examination.

Matriculation Qualifications:

Applicants to the program must satisfy one of the following qualifications:

1. Master's degree (or expected receipt of a master's degree by the day of admission) in a university in Japan.
2. Graduate degree (or expected receipt of such) equivalent to a master's degree in Japan from an accredited educational institution outside Japan.
3. Persons who have been granted an academic degree corresponding to the master's degree after completing, in Japan, courses offered by correspondence (also known as distance learning or extension) by an educational institution located outside Japan, or who expect to be granted such a degree by March 31 of the academic and fiscal year in which the application is submitted.
4. Persons who, after graduation from university, have been employed in research work for two years or more in a university or research institute or similar research facility and who are recognized by this university as having demonstrated by the results of their research academic ability equivalent or superior to persons possessing the master's degree.
5. Persons who, after completion of a course of study of sixteen years in a country other than Japan, or who, after completion in Japan of a course of study of sixteen years by correspondence (or distance learning or extension) classes offered by an educational institution (or educational institutions) located outside Japan, have been employed in research work for two years or more in a university or research institute or similar research facility and who are recognized by this university as having demonstrated by the results of their research academic ability equivalent or superior to persons possessing the master's degree.
6. Persons at least twenty-four years of age whose academic abilities have been recognized by the Graduate University of Advanced Studies, upon inspection of materials submitted as evidence of qualification for admission, as equivalent or superior to the academic abilities possessed by holders of master's degrees.
7. Approval by the Graduate University for Advanced Studies that the qualifications are equivalent to or higher than those mentioned in (1).

Admission Criteria

Admission selection is based on a written application, review of the master's thesis, and an interview. The interview may be waived in some cases for applicants residing outside of Japan.
Please note, however, that applicants claiming qualification under the terms described in Matriculation Qualifications 4, 5, 6, or 7, above, will not be considered for admission until a "Recognition of Academic Ability Equivalent or Superior to Holders of Master's Degrees" has been executed. (For details, please inquire at one of the addresses that appears in the section "Requesting an Application," below.)

Application Deadlines

Applications for both April and October admission are due the middle of the preceding December for applicants in matriculation qualification categories (1) (2) and (3). Deadlines are in the middle of November for applicants in categories (4) (5) (6)and (7).

Requests for Application Forms and Information

If you are interested in applying, please access the Application page and follow the procedure. For more details and information you can contact us.

Number of Students in the Department of Japanese Studies (As of April, 2011)

1st yr.	2nd yr.	3rd yr.	Total
3	4	9	16

Number of Students by Nationality (As of April, 2011)

Nationality	1st yr.	2nd yr.	3rd yr.	Total
Japan	0	2	7	9
China	1	1	2	4
Korea	0	1	0	1
Philippines	1	0	0	1
Taiwan	1	0	0	1