The Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies
Creating a Bright Future for the Asia Pacific

Master's in Asia Pacific Studies (APS)

Master's in International Cooperation Policy (ICP)

Doctorate in Asia Pacific Studies (APS)

Asia Pacific University's Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies was inaugurated in 2003. In its new programs, students have the unique opportunity to break new ground and become a part of the university's history. The programs are certain to become widely recognized and highly ranked within a few years, thanks to its world class international faculty, unique Asia Pacific focus and backing by the Ritsumeikan Trust, one of the oldest and most respected educational institutions in Japan
 

For the first time in history, technological advances have made possible the socioeconomic unification of the Asia Pacific into a definable entity. The world will be eagerly watching the region in this century, and graduates from the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies have the chance to be at the front lines of change.
 

An investment in a Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University graduate degree will open your mind and change the way you view the Asia Pacific region. It is a program designed for people who want to challenge their beliefs and transcend cultural barriers--people who, more than anything else, want to make a positive difference in the world.

You have the dream. You have the drive. Now get the skills.

The Asia Pacific Era
Despite recent economic troubles, the Asia Pacific region remains vibrant, with the Asian "tigers" such as Korea, Singapore and Taiwan continuing to invest heavily in the high-tech sector, and Japan holding steady as the region's economic hub. Just look at Asian cities for proof of continued growth: China, Malaysia and others are pouring money into urban development projects. Sprawling, modern metropolises, once confined to Tokyo and Hong Kong, have recently begun emerging across the Asia-Pacific. The entire region is undergoing massive changes as it comes to terms with the impact of globalization and Internet technology.
 

These massive upheavals are having a profound effect on the people of the region, as governments and businesses struggle to deal with issues relating to rapid economic growth and its impact on tourism and the environment. Yet, while leading countries thrive, other Asia Pacific nations are just starting their ascent into the global arena.
 

The graduate programs at APU equip students with the tools necessary to confront these issues head-on using a strategic, policy-oriented approach. Students research practical solutions to current problems, always placing economic independence and sustainable development at the fore, with all elements of the curriculum working toward the ultimate objective of fostering mutual understanding and lasting peace in the region.
 

Diversity
APU boasts one of the most diverse student bodies in Asia. Of its 3,000 students, nearly half are international students hailing from sixty-five different countries around the globe (As of October 2002).
Students at APU must deal with cultural differences on a daily basis, forcing them to rethink their own cultural values and consider global issues from diverse perspectives.

Accessibility
All graduate school courses are conducted entirely in English.

Location
The university is located in Beppu, a small city in Kyushu, Japan's southernmost major island. Its proximity to the Asian mainland and island nations to the south make it the ideal location for building connections other countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Network
APU's extensive global network of distinguished advisors and academic institutions ensures that the program is kept up to date and forms a resource for developing valuable connections.

Flexibility
Students have the option of beginning their studies in either April or October, and may complete Master's programs in 1, 1 1/2 or 2 years, and the Doctorate program in 2 or 3 years.