In April 2015, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Saitama University launched a new graduate-level Department of Japanese and Asian Studies. As a central component of the new graduate school, this initiative underscores the university’s commitment to research and education that deepens our understanding of one of the most culturally and economically dynamic regions of our increasingly interdependent world and its determination to cultivate graduates well suited to serve as intellectual leaders of this globalizing society.
MA Program in Japanese and Asian Culture MEcon Program in Japanese and Asian Economy and Management
The new Department of Japanese and Asian Studies addresses the needs of graduate students who wish to study the culture and economy of Japan and Asia in English by offering two programs wherein one can conduct all classwork and write a master’s thesis in English: The Master of Arts (MA) Program in Japanese and Asian Culture and the Master of Economics (MEcon) Program in Japanese and Asian Economy and Management. Students wishing to study the Japanese language after their entrance into the university are encouraged to take our Japanese language classes, but such language study is not compulsory. The two programs offer students the option of pursuing a degree with a disciplinary focus in either the liberal arts or in economics and business, providing them with broad, in-depth study of Japanese and Asian history, culture, economics, and management from a global or multi-cultural perspective. Students will enroll in either the MA or the MEcon program, but can choose some classes from the other program in order to obtain an interdisciplinary perspective covering both the humanities and social sciences. Students with the requisite language ability will also have the option of taking similar classes in Japanese, but will not be required to do so. Graduates of either the liberal arts or economics and business options will be well-prepared to fulfill professional positions in international organizations or in the industries, government, or non-profit organizations of either Japan or their home country.
MA Program in Japanese and Asian Culture
The MA program offers students an interdisciplinary selection of classes and thesis supervision conducted in English and covering Japanese, literature, material culture, media, contemporary art, traditional performing arts, and other cultural studies topics. Even students in early stages of Japanese language training will therefore be able to develop an in-depth understanding of Japanese and Asian history and culture. Under the direction of leading Japanese and non-Japanese scholars, the program provides successful applicants with an ideal forum through which to hone their analytical skills and enhance their ability to comprehend the multiple cultural and historical perspectives characterizing today’s global society, and thus will leave graduates well-suited to pursue their respective professional goals in Japan or abroad. Areas of particular program strength include Japanese military history and samurai culture, political and intellectual history, and the history and culture of performing arts. Students who wish to improve their language abilities are encouraged to take Japanese language classes. Indeed, residence in Japan will provide our students with an ideal opportunity to develop their linguistic abilities in preparation for their professional futures, whether that resides in employment in government or the private sector, or in earning a doctorate in Japanese or Asian studies. Students are generally complete their studies and submit their thesis in two years of entry into the program.
( Click on course name for detailed description )
MEcon Program: Japanese and Asian Economy and Management
The MEcon program is composed of two components: Japanese and Asian Economy and Society, and Japanese and Asian Management. The former component will explore the structure and dynamics of socio-economic development in Japan and Asian countries and consider economic and public policy options. Indeed, the study and practice of economics today requires much broader considerations than was true in earlier decades, for such inquiry is no longer limited to current business conditions and profitability in trade and in the monetary market, but now extends to such issues as poverty reduction, welfare for laborers, difficulties created by rapid urbanization, and even effects on the global environment. The latter component of the program will deal with Japanese and Asian ways of management and strategies found in the region’s firms. Students will learn about the conditions of individual companies or organizations and the management systems operated inside them, and consider how management systems can be constructed or improved in Asian countries.
See also the website of the MEcon Program!
MEcon Program
| Courses on Japanese and Asian Economy and Society |
Money, Banking and Financial Markets |
| Japanese Economy |
| Public Finance and Socioeconomic Development in Japan |
| Asian Economy |
| Economic Policies in Japan and Asia |
| Economic Strategies in Japan and Asia |
| International Trade in Japan and Asia |
| International Economic Theory |
| Microfinance and Development |
| Economic Development in Asia |
| Public Policies in Japan and Asia |
| Advanced Theory of Public Policies |
| Advanced Econometrics |
| Courses on Japanese and Asian Management |
Global Business Strategy |
| Global Business in Japan and AsiaGlobal Business in Japan and Asia |
| Comparative Studies of Management |
| Japanese Enterprises in Asia |
| Human Resource Management in Japan and Asia |
| Japanese-style Management |
| Marketing in Japan and Asia |
| Supply Chain Management |
| Diffusion Studies |
| Global Environment and Asia |
| Urban Planning in Japan and Asia |
| International Marketing |
| Advanced Reserch in Japanese Society |
| Thesis Supervision |
Seminar I |
| Seminar II |
| Seminar III |
| Seminar IV |
| Seminar V |
| Seminar VI |
How to Access Further Information and Apply to the Graduate School:
Applications to the Master’s Programs can be made from countries outside Japan by mailing in application documents. If necessary, during the application process some applicants may participate in interviews via Skype or other IT interfaces. Students may also apply for scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), the reward of which will be determined through review of the applications. Support services for international students provided by Saitama University include assistance with accommodations and everyday life. We welcome motivated students from all over the world and look forward to your application!
Department of Japanese and Asian Studies Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Saitama University
Shimo-Okubo 255, Sakura-ku, Saitama-Shi, 338-8570 Japan
For the MEcon program
E-mail: