41 International Relations and Global Politics Degree Programs in Japan

This degree program is designed to equip students with skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers in government and diplomacy, international businesses, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

Political Science addresses some of the fundamental problems facing human society. Questions concerning government policies aimed at achieving economic stability and growth, the gap between the rich and poor, the role of NGOs to affect social and political change, the relations between countries, the crisis of our democratic institutions, and the world peace are all on the research agenda of contemporary political scientists. The general purpose of the major is to address these and other similar important issues in a multidisciplinary way, and, simultaneously, to expose students to think critically and reason analytically about the constantly evolving political landscape in Asia compared to the rest of the world.

For many observers and visitors, Japan is one of the most intriguing countries on earth. For them, Japan offers a vast variety of exhilarating and sometimes puzzling experiences that often give rise to many questions. Japan Studies endeavors to answer most, if not all, of them. Japanologists understand their field as an interdisciplinary project that engages with all aspects of Japanese culture, history, and society. Many students and scholars investigate these topics in relation to historical and present-day events in East-Asia and the West. Such an approach relates their study and research not only to other disciplines but also to other nations, civilizations, and geographic areas.

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Bachelor in International Relations degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Doctorate in International Relations degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Bachelor degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.

Cultivating strong intellectual capacity with a global perspective The main purpose of the Department of International Relations Law is to foster human resources who (1) have a wide perspective who do not adhere too closely to one specific viewpoint, (2) can exchange and share opinions with people who have different ways of thinking, and can work together with such people in tackling various problems that we currently face, and (3) can maintain an international perspective and standpoint, using international relations law as one of the core. In the past, "international" relations were considered something "outside of Japan", but now, triggered by issues such as environmental matters, it is little by little being recognized that our daily lives are closely connected with matters outside Japan or global issues. The Department of International Law aims to allow students to acquire the ability to succeed in international society, and at the same time, to exert such ability in local communities by effectively introducing an international perspective.

The Graduate School of International Politics and Economics offers a two-year master’s course aimed at fostering highly qualified professionals. The course is intended to train internationally-minded professionals with a broad global view and practical skills, through researches on politics, economics, laws and social situations in Asia from today’s standpoint in the Globalization Era.

Those who desire to study Japan from an international perspective so become global leaders with a deep understanding of Japan, or who seek to contribute to the advancement of multilingual and multicultural societies in Japan and elsewhere. The School of Japan Studies offers the opportunity to study and discover Japan comprehensively and from international perspectives.

The Department of International Politics provides two courses. The first is the Foreign Affairs/Security Course, in which students can learn about international politics through such fields as international security, area studies, history of foreign affairs, and international law. The second is the Global Governance Course, which aims to nurture individuals who can succeed in the international arena and are equipped with the knowledge to address global issues, such as the global environment. For the Foreign Affairs/Security Course, students are instructed by a wide variety of faculty, such as those who have gained work experience, researchers, and theorists. For the Global Governance Course, there are numerous courses on topics such as international systems, international organizations, the global environment, and NGOs, as well as courses on the relationship between international politics and international finance and trade.

Interdisciplinary integration is implemented in the Department of International Political Science and Economics at the Faculty of International Political Science and Economics beyond the framework of traditional departments of politics and economics or existing fields of academic studies.

This course focuses on international relations and international business. Students develop thinking skills that are grounded in the social sciences, and the skills for developing new methodology.

A pervasive feature of human existence, politics entails both cooperation and conflict—in our local communities, in domestic and international environments, and on a global scale. The bachelor’s degree in political science at Waseda University promotes the scientific understanding of politics. We educate students to think independently and critically about the determinants and implications of important political phenomena, such as elections in democracies or patterns of international disputes. The political science major fosters students’ awareness in public issues, develops students’ analytical skills, and encourages students to take responsibility and pursue leadership roles. Ultimately, the major prepares students to contribute to solving the imminent and long-term problems that humanity faces.

Chinese philosophy – of which the Hundred Schools of Thought is representative – offers profound insight into the world and human nature and has majorly influenced culture formation in East Asia, including in Japan. Students in this major study the important Confucian, Taoist, legal, and military thinkers who contributed to the formation of Chinese thought. In addition to classical works, they revisit commonly accepted theories in light of new materials discovered in recent excavations.

Under these circumstances, this major develops global human resources who have acquired advanced language proficiency and cross-cultural understanding. The "Chinese course" is for learning Chinese, and the "Korean course" is for learning Korean at a high level. At the same time, learning about the culture and history of each country and region, the relationship between the two countries is becoming closer. , We will become a bridge with East Asia and develop human resources who can play an active role globally.