Rikkyo University has two campuses: one in Ikebukuro, Tokyo and the other in Shiki, Saitama-prefecture which borders on Tokyo in the south. The main campus is located in Ikebukuro, one of the largest commercial and transportation hubs in the heart of metropolitan Tokyo. And our Ikebukuro campus where JDS fellows will study is only a few minute-walk from the Ikebukuro-Station.

Rikkyo was founded in 1874 by an American Bishop, and has a long history of excellence in education and research, which, combined with substantial investment in state of the art information technology and teaching facilities, has earned a reputation as an outstanding educational institution and one of the most sought-after universities in Japan. In 2014, based on the achievements and potential for excellence, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology selected Rikkyo as one of the 37 universities for special funding through the Top Global University Project. The Project lasts for 10 years.

Today, Rikkyo enrolls over 19,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students in its ten colleges (Arts, Business, Community and Human Services, Economics, Intercultural Communication, Law and Politics, Contemporary Psychology, Science, Sociology, and Tourism) and fourteen graduate schools (Business, Economics, Arts, Tourism, Science, Sociology, Law and Politics, Community and Human Services, Contemporary Psychology, Christian Studies, Business Administration, Intercultural Communication, Law, Business Design and Social Design).

Rikkyo, from its inception, has valued international exchange with esteemed institutions abroad. Rikkyo has exchange agreements with over 100 universities in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North and South Americas. Rikkyo believes our campus life, both academic and social, will be greatly enriched by diversity.

The Graduate School of Business (GSB) was established upon the foundations of the former Graduate Program in Business Administration of the Graduate School of Economics and the Graduate Degree Program in Applied Sociology of the Graduate School of Sociology. It conducts specialized interdisciplinary studies in the field of business administration based on the traditions of these two programs. The Graduate Program in Business Administration conducted business management-related education and research based on business administration and accounting, while the Graduate Program in Applied Sociology places its theoretical basis in industrial relations. Industrial relations was originally a field that focused on labor issues, but in recent years it has come to cover other aspects of corporate activities, including marketing and consumer behavior, the relationship between industry and the local community in terms of corporate social responsibility, and business strategies for responding to the rapidly changing values of industrial society. The GSB has incorporated these studies in industrial relations into business management studies to nurture a wide range of professionals, from researchers to highly-trained experts, who can approach the dynamically changing modern business environment from an international perspective.

The GSB faculty members have been conducting the Business Leadership Program (BLP) and the Bilingual Business Leader Program (BBL) for their undergraduate students. Between 2008 and 2010, the BLP had been supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT).

There are two English-medium courses in the Master of International Business Program of the Graduate School of Business: Master of Public Management and Administration (MPMA) Course and Master of International Business (MIB) Course. JDS fellows will enroll in the MPMA Course.

The MPMA Course is designed particularly for mid-career public officers to nurture and develop their capacities to review, formulate, manage, and evaluate policies and programs effectively. The Course is strategically kept small to ensure intensive but congenial interactions amongst its students and faculty members. In addition, both MPMA and MIB students study together in the same classrooms through the cross-registration.
As a JDS student from Vietnam, you will have the opportunity to study with other young government officials from Asian countries too.

MPMA requires every student, including JDS fellows, to complete coursework and a master’s thesis. Specifically, in the first year, the students will take required courses in order to acquire basic knowledge and become familiar with theories in public management and economics. They will also learn analytical skills as well as obtain proficiency with computer software commonly used by economists and public management scholars, so that they can collect data and conduct the quantitative analyses competently. Workshops on statistical software (Stata, EViews, ArcGIS, etc.) are offered occasionally, through which the students can further develop their analytical skills. These basic knowledge, skills, and tools would be applicable to analyzing and solving a wide range of problems. In their second year, the students will take variety of elective courses from three categories – Public Management, Economics, and Business.

In addition to the coursework, each student is required to complete a master’s thesis – an independent research project in which the student focuses on a specific research question, investigates related theories, collects and analyze data, and derives policy recommendations. A supervisor will be assigned to each student at the beginning of the first year. From the second semester of the first year and onward, the students will work on each major step in completing the master’s thesis, from narrowing down the research question and situating it into a broader academic debate, to analyzing data and completing the final draft, under the close supervision of the supervisor.

To promote our students to complete master’s theses of high quality, we introduce the following three measures. First, students who complete a master’s thesis of publishable quality are awarded the grade of “distinction”. After going through the regular evaluation procedure internally, an outstanding master’s thesis will be sent to an external examiner, who has expertise in the relevant field. If the external examiner judges that the paper is ready for publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal, the grade of distinction is awarded. Second, the MPMA will launch the Working Paper Series under the program website, where faculty members in the MPMA or from other programs and institutions can post their working papers. MPMA students can also post their master’s thesis on the Working Paper Series if they wish. Third, we will provide students with opportunities to present their master’s theses at international academic conferences, either in the last semester of the second year or after graduation.

Academic Schedule

Field Trip

1st year
Late September: Entrance Ceremony
Late September: Fall semester (1st semester) classes begin
Late December - Early January: Winter vacation
Late January:　Fall semester (1st semester) classes end
Early February - Late March: Spring vacation
Early April: Spring semester (2nd semester) classes begin
Late July: Spring semester (2nd semester) classes begin
Early August - Late September:
Summer vacation

2nd year
Late September: Fall semester (3rd semester)
classes begin
Late December - Early January: Winter vacation
Late January: Fall semester (3rd semester)
classes end
Early February - Late March: Spring vacation
Early April: Spring semester (4th semester) classes begin
Late June: Submission of a master’s thesis
Early July: Thesis Oral Examination
Late July: Spring semester (4th semester) classes end
Early August: Submission of MA thesis (final version)
Mid-September: Graduation ceremony

The Master of Public Management and Administration Course (MPMA Course) in the Graduate School of Business is designed particularly for mid-career public officers to nurture and develop their capacities to review, formulate, manage, and evaluate policies and programs effectively.

Upon successful completion of the MPMA course requirements and a master’s thesis, a Master of Public Management and Administration degree will be awarded.

Master of Public Management and Administration (MPMA) Course:

MPMA requires every student, including JDS fellows, to complete coursework and a master’s thesis. Specifically, in the first year, the students will take required courses in order to acquire basic knowledge and become familiar with theories in Public Management and Economics. They will also learn analytical skills as well as obtain proficiency with computer software commonly used by economists and public management scholars, so that they can collect data and conduct the quantitative analyses competently. Workshops on statistical software (Stata, EViews, ArcGIS, etc.) are offered occasionally, through which the students can further develop their analytical skills. These basic knowledge, skills, and tools would be applicable to analyzing and solving a wide range of problems. In their second year, the students will take variety of elective courses from three categories – Public Management, Economics, and Business.

In addition to the coursework, each student is required to complete a master’s thesis – an independent research project in which the student focuses on a specific research question, investigates related theories, collects and analyze data, and derives policy recommendations. A supervisor will be assigned to each student at the beginning of the first year. From the second semester of the first year and onward, the students will work on each major step in completing the master’s thesis, from narrowing down the research question and situating it into a broader academic debate, to analyzing data and completing the final draft, under the close supervision of the supervisor.

To promote our students to complete master’s theses of high quality, we introduce the following three measures. First, students who complete a master’s thesis of publishable quality are awarded the grade of “distinction”. After going through the regular evaluation procedure internally, an outstanding master’s thesis will be sent to an external examiner, who has expertise in the relevant field. If the external examiner judges that the paper is ready for publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal, the grade of distinction is awarded. Second, the MPMA will launch the Working Paper Series under the program website, where faculty members in the MPMA or from other programs and institutions can post their working papers. MPMA students can also post their master’s thesis on the Working Paper Series if they wish. Third, we will provide students with opportunities to present their master’s theses at international academic conferences, either in the last semester of the second year or after graduation.

Minimum course requirements for the MPMA students

List of MIB elective courses JDS fellows may take

Each course carries two (2) credits.
Various Japanese language courses are also available to JDS fellows.

Each JDS fellow will be supervised by a very dedicated MPMA faculty. At the September orientation sessions in the first semester, all MPMA students will meet with their supervisor in person to discuss their research and coursework.　Besides the regular scheduled classes, the MPMA faculty team will also provide a series of thesis writing sessions on a need basis.

List of MPMA faculty who could supervise/advice JDS fellows:

KATAOKA, Mitsuhiko
Specially Appointed Professor
Ph.D. in International Development, Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, 2004
Courses: Statistics for Economics and Management, Development Economics, Urban and Regional Economics, Japanese Economy, Development Planning
Research Interests: Development Economics, Regional Economics, Spatial Economic Analysis, Income Inequality, Postwar Japanese Economic Development

YAMADA, Kyohei
Visiting Associate Professor
Ph.D. in Political Science, Yale University, 2013
Courses: Research Methodology, Public Administration, Local Government and Public Services, Japanese Politics
Research Interests: Local Government, Intergovernmental Relations, Japanese Politics and Government

KAKINAKA, Makoto
Visiting Professor
Ph.D. in Economics, Cornell University, 2006
Courses: Mathematics for Economics and Management, International Finance
Research Interests: International Economics, Financial and Banking Systems, Public Choice and Policy

KOTANI, Koji
Visiting Professor
Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, 2005
Courses: Agricultural Economics and Policy Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis
Research Interests: Environmental and Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Economics

Tentative academic schedule of 2020-2021 for JDS fellows:

From University:

The MPMA Course　wholeheartedly welcomes the JDS fellows from Vietnam. Our educational and research philosophy is to educate students to become leaders and experts who are equipped with knowledge and abilities necessary to analyze various issues in new global environments using a variety of approaches.

By taking the required courses in the first semester, you can expect to acquire fundamental knowledge in Public Management and Economics as well as analytical skills and tools.

You can also expect a wider variety of elective courses because you can take the elective courses offered by the MIB Course. In addition, Rikkyo classroom settings and community will let JDS fellows mingle with and learn from students and faculty from different backgrounds. You will be studying along with other young government officials

Most importantly, expect to work hard with our team of excellent faculty members. Our expert faculty members provide intensive learning and research opportunities to our students based on their extensive professional experiences. A supervisor will be assigned to you at the beginning of the first year. Our faculty include those who have years of supervising JDS fellows and government officials from Asian countries.

Japan is one of the world’s largest economies and the home of many of the world’s leading companies in the automotive, electronics, computer games, and information technology industries – most of which are headquartered in Tokyo. The MPMA Course is located in the district of Ikebukuro, which is one of the major commercial and transportation hubs of Tokyo. The Ikebukuro district, where the Rikkyo’s main campus is located, has long been enjoying cultural and ethnic diversity. The combination of a good place and good people makes for a great experience.

Comments from alumni:

Bahadur Ram BASNET (JDS-Nepal)

Living in Japan:
Initial days were quite difficult because of new environment, language barrier, difference in cuisine and culture, but now everything is fine and I am enjoying Japanese lifestyle including the food. My apartment is quite far from the university; it takes about one hour by train but it is common in Tokyo. Small but beautifully designed apartments in Tokyo are very convenient. The average temperature of Tokyo is almost similar to Kathmandu, but the weather here is inconsistent, changes unexpectedly within a season.

Studying at Rikkyo:
Firstly, as a student of International Business, I found Rikkyo the best place where students of different countries with diverse socio-cultural background could freely exchange their knowledge and understanding as if they were working in a real world.
Second, the facilities. Well-furnished classrooms, specially allocated study rooms for graduate students, the best library with variety of choices and special group and personal research rooms in library are beyond the level of my imagination. Furthermore, the online databases Rikkyo Spirit and EBSCOhost are very useful.
Third, I must admire the beautiful greenery and preserved historical green building, walking through that gives me a feeling of pride as being a part of Rikkyo and motivates more to garner the wisdom more and more.
Being a non-swimmer, I miss the Rikkyo's Olympic size swimming pool but I am using the gymnasium.
I am enjoying both, my stay in Japan and study in Rikkyo to the fullest.

Rico SAMUEL (Government of Indonesia)

Even though the MPMA Course is new for Rikkyo, as an MPMA student, I am very happy with it and fell in love as soon as I came to join. Rikkyo has a great reputation and gives a great atmosphere. The MPMA Course gives all the lessons you may need to enhance your knowledge. MPMA provides me the knowledge brought by the lecturers who are expert in the fields. I also have my full support given by lecturers and administrators whenever I need it. Moreover, I have been able to take many invaluable opportunities provided by the university to learn many things such as Japanese cultures, sports, music, historical and cultural sites.

Presentation at a seminar with Partner University

The first spring in Japan

Mr. Bui Bai Cuong, JDS 2018-2020, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Communications.

“JDS gave me the opportunity to study in a highly advanced international education environment. In this environment, I have always got the best learning conditions, such as e-library system of the university which is one of the best system in Japan and guidance from renowned and friendly professors. I also got the opportunity to meet my personal volunteer teacher who teaches me Japanese. For me, the feeling of study at a famous university with hundred years’ experience and very modern facilities is extremely fantastic.
I hope you will soon get a lot of interesting experiences in Japan.”

Outsides of Rikkyo University

Ms. Pham Thuy Duong, JDS 2019-2021, Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, People's Committee of Thai Binh Province

“Rikkyo campus Ikebukuro located in the heart of the modern city Tokyo with European ancient architecture. The more one hundred year university was equipped with an enormous library with more than 1.7 million books, an indoor Olympic swimming pool, and a gymnastic room.
At Rikkyo, you have experienced not only gorgeous beauty of the campus but also dynamic environment with foreign students all over the world. After one year studying in Rikkyo, I have a lot of friends from Germany, Indonesia, Nepal, Japanese, etc. For the beginning study, staff at International Office will support you catch up with a new abroad life and take care of you during studying time.

Rikkyo Fellows from Viet Nam

Courses taught in English are comprehensive, so language barrier cannot hinder your acquisition of specialized knowledge. In the class, you can give your ideas freely and directly with the professors or the supervisors or via emails. Rikkyo's professors are talented and such kind lectures I have ever known.
If you have enthusiasm in Japanese language, you can take part in some of Japanese course at the campus or even have your own Japanese lecture. What you need to do just is to fill in a form.
During the pandemic, I and other students have received thoughtful attention from the university. The principal sent the email to encourage us overcome difficulties in such period and had commitment to support our online studying. Even though we had received cash payment from Japanese government, Rikkyo still supported cash payment for us. Due to the isolation, we couldn't enter the campus to use STATA software. Then, we were provided a special license key to connect STATA at home.
Before Covid, we had chances to take part in field trips taken by both Rikkyo and JICE to discover Japanese culture and visit some Japanese companies. Those became one of the most memorable time I have ever had.”