Are you looking into furthering your education in Japan and advance your career afterward? Then obtaining an MBA in Japan could be an exciting option for you, not in the least because of the extraordinary ROI. In addition to developing your leadership skills, you will gain Japan-specific insights, regional expertise in Asia, and cross-cultural communication abilities to manage virtual teams. Furthermore, the lifelong network you will build at Business School might help enhance your post MBA career and throughout your professional life.
What are the requirements for getting an MBA in Japan, for getting admitted, and graduate?
As an MBA degree is a Master’s Degree, the minimum requirement all applicants need to meet is finishing at least 16 years of education. In most cases, this means that you need to hold a Bachelor’s Degree. Let’s have a look at the additional entry requirements for admittance to an MBA program in Japan:
Furthermore, it is always a good idea to apply on time and early, preferably as soon as possible after the application period opens. This way, if anything needs to be fixed during your application, you would have time to do so. Moreover, applying early shows your dedication and good planning skills. You should also make sure to pay the application fee within the admissions deadline. Lastly, it is good to look at scholarships options if you’d require financial assistance, as many schools and other institutions offer this possibility.
You can choose to apply for either the 1-year program or the 2-year program. The 1-year program is geared toward those who are company-sponsored or come through the Young Leaders’ Program, and this program is for students who are not necessarily planning a career change. The recommendation is for aspiring students interested in looking for a job in Japan after graduation to go for the 2-year program. If you are looking to change your career, the 2-year program will also give you more options. The second year is fully customizable. You can exchange with a partner university, do a double degree, experiencing work life in Japan during an internship, and get support in your job search. Doing extra independent research is also a knowledge-broadening
To graduate from the program, you will need to obtain satisfactory grades for all required courses. The second half of the first year will also include optional independent research projects that must be concluded with a passing grade to be eligible for graduation. While there are many elective courses that will deepen and broaden your knowledge, they are not required to get your degree. It is, however, strongly recommended to make use of the opportunity to take a few extra (virtual) courses organized by partner universities that are freely available to Hitotsubashi ICS students.
There is a significant need for internationally-minded innovative minds in Japan’s business world, and Japanese companies and international companies’ branches in Japan understand the need to attract foreign talent more and more. Many MBA students intend to stay in Japan for a few years after graduation to make use of career opportunities in one of the world’s largest economies. These intentions often grow even stronger during the program, leading to a large percentage of MBA graduates finding employment in Japan. The Majority of Hitotsubashi ICS MBA graduates have found a job in Japan, most with international companies but a significant portion with Japanese companies.
Especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 crisis, relying on a solid network is paramount. If you obtain an MBA from a reputable university in Japan, you can often use their network to land a job in Japan. Moreover, some companies partner with universities offering MBA degree programs to source international talent. For example, in 2020, all the Hitotsubashi ICS’ 2-year program graduates who intended to work in Japan upon graduation received at least one job offer. In addition, internships done during the MBA program can also directly lead to a job offer.