About

Grooming Productive Members
of a Global Society

Ryoji Nakagawa

Dean
Graduate School of International Relations
Ritsumeikan University

Ryoji Nakagawa

Ritsumeikan University’s Graduate School of International Relations was established in 1992. Building on the fundamentals of the College of International Relations which was established in 1988, we have cultivated top-level, specialized professionals with interdisciplinary perspectives across a wide range of fields. And, working with major overseas academic institutions, we have, among other things, created a dual degree program where students may simultaneously earn two degrees. In addition, we are the only regular member of APSIA, the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, in Japan.

The Graduate School of International Relations has put in place a systematic curriculum and instructional programs in both Japanese and English, and our instructors come from a diverse range of countries. The school also plays host to an abundance of lectures and more from influential people from around the world. In addition, in recent years, our number of international students from not only Asia but Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, as well as Europe and the United States, has seen a significant rise, making this an important place where students are able to overcome the lines separating countries and regions to engage in mutual learning.

The paths taken by alumni of our graduate program extend in a myriad of directions. Our graduates have moved on to positions with the United Nations, the World Bank, and other international organizations; the Japanese government sector; JICA and other public agencies; government and public offices in their home countries; mass media; trading companies and other private institutions; NGOs and other society groups; and as instructors and researchers at universities and more.

In addition to international politics, the Graduate School of International Relations incorporates a wide range of research topics into its program, including the cultivation of developing nations, religion, space technology development, international trade and investment, social security, the environment, and even international comparisons of anime and idols. Naturally, academic methods must be taken into account, but there are countless approaches to tackling challenges.

However, graduate-level education is not something that is simply handed out. More so than with undergraduate education, postgraduate success comes from possessing a high level of proactive problem awareness and unwavering perseverance. Only with that kind of independent ability to take action is one able to make effective use of the research environment.

If you are a person with a desire to conduct research that will invigorate your sense of values, then pay a call on Ritsumeikan University’s Graduate School of International Relations.

Publications

Publications by the The International Studies Association of Ritsumeikan University

Ritsumeikan Kokusai Kenkyu / The Ritsumeikan Journal of International Studies
Kokusaikankei Ronsyu (Wabun Ronsyu)
Ritsumeikan Annual Review of International Studies (Eibun Ronsyu)

In these thesis collections, PhD students as well as International Relations professors report their research results.

Working paper series

Working paper series is an opportunity for presenting study results as well as showing active research work of the school by faculty, graduate students and researchers. Since the implementation of the graduate school GP program, we have been supporting and encouraging submissions from graduate students as well as from PhD students.

Report on the External Evaluation Results