JDS China 中国年轻行政人员长期培养支援项目

History and Achievement
The Graduate School of International Relations　(GSIR) at Ritsumeikan University was established in 1992. Our graduates are particularly active in international organizations, the Foreign Ministry, governments in their home countries, international aid, and globally active private enterprises. They have received high acclaim in the international community. In Japan, we are the only official member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), which is a global network of respected graduate schools specializing in international relations.
The Graduate School has admitted approximately 1,200 international students from more than 50 countries, as well as JDS, World Bank, and MEXT-funded scholars. Many of those scholars have gone on to play important roles as administrative officers in their home countries’ central governments and elsewhere after graduation.

Strengths of Our Graduate School: Curriculum
The GSIR’s Master of Arts in International Relations program offers courses of study in two languages: Japanese and English. The Global International Relations Program (English-Based Program) consists of four clusters: the Global Governance Cluster; the Sustainable Development Cluster; the Culture, Society, and Media Cluster; and the Global Japanese Studies Cluster. Each cluster consists of basic subjects regarding international relations (Core Courses) and subjects designed to foster a deep and specialized understanding of each topic from various disciplines (Advanced Courses), as well as the subjects of Area Studies and Academic Writing.
Through this course work, students can acquire and foster academic literacy and the abilities necessary for advanced research in the field of international relations. In advanced seminars, students work on their master’s thesis under the supervision of their academic advisor and complete their thesis as part of their research. Students are expected to demonstrate intellectual interests in international relations and be able to analyze the research topic based on advanced knowledge. GSIR holds two open colloquiums to support graduate students in preparation for their theses prior to submission.

*Features of the program:
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng/education/first/feature.html/

Our program aims to cultivate professionals in economic diplomacy who are knowledgeable in international economics (economic friction), international politics (regional security), international cooperation, and environmental issues. In order to achieve this aim, our program includes the features listed below. For JDS students from China, the Graduate School of International Relations offers a curriculum focused on:

<Pre-enrollment Support>
For example, pre-enrollment study support, individual student support, and an introduction to the Student Support Room will be provided through contact with their supervisors. In addition, new international students will be paired with current international students in the school to provide pre-arrival advice on student life as well as advice regarding future career paths.

<Study Support While at Ritsumeikan>

• 1. Fundamental training on research and writing skills provided in both English and Japanese
  Advanced English-language writing ability for theses will be developed through courses such as Academic Writing and Writing Support in English. In addition, students will have opportunities to enhance their Japanese language ability by participating in courses such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Program, etc.
• 2. Customized coursework, enabling students to broaden their views and acquire a higher level of expertise
  The curriculum is built on four pillars: international economics, international politics, global issues, and Japanese studies. Students will be expected to plan a course of study in line with their interests and experiences. Especially for JDS students, we provide courses ranging from theory to practice regarding Chinese foreign diplomacy, Chinese economic diplomacy, etc.
• 3. Systematic and thorough thesis instructions
  The depth of students’ research will increase through the writing of their theses. GSIR has a faculty of instructors who are able to teach and supervise in English across various fields, including politics, economics, development, and sociology. In addition, there is a systematic advising system (consisting of regular debriefing sessions, etc.) conducted by a team of several academic advisors.

<Follow-up after graduation>
As a form of follow-up training after graduation, special lectures conducted by former JDS students will be planned in Beijing or Shanghai in an effort to help create an alumni network.

Courses taught through English language for the 2025 academic year （English Course）

*Global International Relations Program:
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng/education/first/curriculum.html/

*Sample Course Plans:
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng/education/first/schedule.html/

Whether a master's thesis is required as a requirement for completion/degree acquisition (and supplementary information regarding the requirement of a master's thesis)

Degree Awarding Policy
Students who successfully fulfill the degree requirements (30 credits of course work) and whose master’s thesis reflects the student’ s academic ability to approach international issues from multiple perspectives will be awarded an M.A. degree.
Lectures sharing cutting-edge information are provided by faculty members, lecturers, visiting professors and specially invited professors who are currently active in international fields such as with the United Nations. What’s more, visiting professors from partner organizations provide dynamic lectures based on their work experiences.
Course instructors are tentative and subject to change.

*Supervisors are determined at the time of admission (September).

Ritsumeikan University offers a wide variety of facilities to meet the various needs of its students. These include libraries and peer learning rooms, also known as "PIARA," as well as gyms and other facilities to help students work off the everyday stresses of university life. Other facilities include short-term researcher/student housing, bookstores, bicycle parking, and the Beyond Borders Plaza international exchange lounge, known as "the BBP" for short. Please see below for further details and locations of the many facilities open to Ritsumeikan students.

• Library
  https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/lib/
  https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/lib/pub/a05/010/KIC.pdf
  https://www.ritsumeikan-trust.jp/file.jsp?id=234278&f=.pdf
• Dining on Campus
  https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/lifecareer/dining/
• Beyond Borders Plaza
  https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/bbp/facility/kic.html/
• Gyms and other facilities
  https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/lifecareer/facilities/

At the master’s level, clearly identifying a problem and defining the research question that your thesis is going to analyze will enable you to conduct deep and meaningful research. Think about what the problem that you would like to solve is, why it is important, and what sort of analysis of that problem would contribute to Japan-China relations. With these points in mind, please come up with a research plan based on a focused question.