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

　

Please check the schedule for the September Enrollment New Student Orientation here.

　

Bangkok International Organization Training Program Held in Thailand

　

Learning from the Past, Creating the Future（Peace Studies Seminar）

　

Taking Every Opportunity: How a Semester in Korea Expanded My Horizons and Inspired My Journey Toward Research and Global Understanding（OZGONUL Ruzgar Cinar）

　

Studying in Japan Taught Me to Look Beyond First Impressions and Understand the World from Diverse Perspectives（ARIAS Coralie De Jesus）

　

The Ritsumeikan University September 2026 Graduation Ceremony (to be held on September 23, 2026)

　

Research Seminar Held in Thailand with Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, and Ritsumeikan University (Professor Ochi's Seminar)

　

We have released a video showcasing highlights from the Global Simulation Gaming event held in June.

　

Scholarship Award Ceremony was held

　

From Theory to Practice: Exploring International Relations through Global Simulation Gaming at Ritsumeikan University（SIHITE Muhammad Elian

　

“Global Simulation Gaming” was held, in which all second-year students—over 300 participants—took part in a simulated international negotiation.

　

Pursuing International Justice Across Borders: Academic Growth, Moot Court Experience, and Future Legal Aspirations（Thet Htar San）
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.