In Japan, abroad,
meet the world today.

Majors & Courses

GSGlobal Studies Major

International Relations Major in English

JDPAmerican University - Ritsumeikan University
Joint Degree Program

The only joint degree programme in Japan offering two years each in Kyoto and Washington D.C.

IRInternational Relations Major

International Relations Major in Japanese

TOPICS

　

Report on the guest lecture（Mr. Hiroto Mitsugi - JICA International Cooperation Expert; Former Assistant Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)）

　

Report on the guest lecture“World in Turmoil – Record Displacement (How Today’s World Deals with the Global Refugee Crisis).”(Dirk Hebecker—former Representative of the UNHCR Office in Japan)

　

The 2026 Faculty Alumni Association General Meeting and Party will be held in Kyoto on Saturday, June 27. We look forward to welcoming all alumni.

　

Visiting Professor for Spring Semester 2026 (Professor ATIK KUBILAY)

　

Welcoming New Students Enrolling in April 2026 (Scenes from the New Student Orientation)

　

Students from the College of International Relations Participate in the Ministry of Justice–Hosted “Global Youth Forum”

　

To All New Students: Please check the orientation schedule from April 1 here.

　

Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies held

　

Finding Confidence Across Borders: A JDP Fifth-Cohort Student Reflects on Four Years of Growth in Japan and the United States（HIROSE Alex Aoi）

　

From Language Learning to Peacebuilding: Growing Through Global Engagement（PHAM Nhat Linh）

　

Commencement Ceremonies for Academic Year 2025 (to be held on March 21, 2026, from 1:30 PM)

　

International collaboration is not merely an ideal, but something that is both achievable and essential（Tran Duc Tuan：Graduate School of International Relations Alumnus）
More Topics

College Figures

Established

1988

Graduates

9000+

Number of Students

1500+

Current Number of
Foreign Students

370+

Number of
Host Countries / Regions

30Country / Region

Number of Courses
Offered in English

100+Coures

30% of all courses offered by
the College of
International Relations

Number of Students
studying abroad

160+Annually

Foreign Faculty

18

Faculty Nationality

12Country / Region

Results as of May 2025

Special Contents

Japan under the Allied Occupation

What happened in Japan during the Allied Occupation?
How does it affect present-day Japan?

FRENCH Thomas WilliamProfessor, College of International Relations

Africa

Understanding Africa and its growing global presence
to reevaluate Japan’s place in the world

IWATA TakuoProfessor, College of International Relations

International Comparison

Why do non-regular employees have poor working conditions? Analyzing Japan through international comparisons

WATANABE Hiroaki RichardProfessor, College of International Relations

Religion and International Relations

Gaining a deeper understanding of international relations through three links with religion

DANISMAN IdrisAssociate Professor, College of International Relations

International Political Economy

Analyze international relations while having an awareness of the interaction between politics and economics

NAKATO SachioProfessor, College of International Relations

Capitalism

Looking at People’s Lives and International Relations from the Perspective of the Capitalist Economic System

MORIOKA MasashiProfessor, College of International Relations

Pacifism in the Constitution of Japan

What is the international order pursued in the Constitution of Japan?
The perception of the constitution in the context of international relations

KIMIJIMA AkihikoProfessor, College of International Relations

International Politics

Can We “Eliminate War?”
Study the Field of International Politics with the Hope

ADACHI KenkiProfessor, College of International Relations

Comparative Politics

How do we fight the backslide of democracy?
Understanding successes and failures through international comparisons

HONNA JunProfessor, College of International Relations

Global International Relations

Reexamining international relations from its beginnings, bridging the West and the non-West

ATAKA HiroakiProfessor, College of International Relations

Development Economics

Economic development in developing countries cannot be achieved by economic rationality alone.

WATANABE MatsuoProfessor, College of International Relations

Migrant workers and Racism

Listening carefully to the sacrifices of overseas Filipino migrant workers

TSUJIMOTO ToshikoProfessor, College of International Relations

Working for an International Organization

Theory and Empathy Are Needed in the Field of International Humanitarian and Development Assistance

ISHIKAWA SachikoProfessor, College of International Relations

Cultural Anthropology

Dive into a Different Culture and Rethink Your “Norms”

SMITH Nathaniel M.Associate Professor, College of International Relations

Media Literacy

Understanding the Media is Essential to Understanding the World

KOGA BROWES ScottAssociate Professor, College of International Relations

International Economics

Using Economics to Predict the Next Action of People and Nations

YANE HarukaAssociate Professor, College of International Relations

Rediscovering Japan

An Accurate Knowledge of One’s Own Country Facilitates Internationalization

RAJKAI Zsombor TiborProfessor, College of International Relations

Advanced Science and Technology and Global Law

Nanotechnology, AI, and Robotic Weapons, How Will the International Community Manage the Risks of Science and Technology?

KAWAMURA SatokoAssociate Professor, College of International Relations

New Threats

Protecting People and Nations from the Global Threat of Narcotics

FUKUMI SayakaAssociate Professor, College of International Relations

Developing Countries and International Cooperation

What Is the Sustainable International Cooperation Required in the Global Era?

SHIMADA HaruyukiProfessor, College of International Relations

The program will draw out what can be learned in the College of International Relations through the research of faculty members and a wealth of episodes.

IR students/graduates strive on and off campus, in Kyoto and around the world.