MBA in Japan vs. USA

Written by Byline ICS | Oct 5, 2021 1:00:00 AM

From the falling petals and leaves to the tuition fees, earning an MBA can be an almost entirely different experience between Japan and the US. As the business world becomes more globalized, you might wonder about which country would be the right fit for you.

If you are debating between MBA programs across the seas or are just curious, you have arrived at the right destination. This comparison can help you navigate your

options before you make a final decision.

Applications, Classes, and School Life

Here are some particular differences between MBA classes in Japan and the US. Please note that this may vary depending on the university, especially if it runs under an international curriculum.

Japan	USA	Hitotsubashi ICS
The school year is April-March Research plan (a tentative thesis proposal) No test scores (unless if you need an English or Japanese proficiency test score) Classes meet once a week Many student organizations Single-room dorms, affordable off-campus housing available (sharehouses, hostels, etc.) Global and domestic networking/alumni association 18% growth for hiring in the Asia-Pacific	The school year is August-May GMAT or GRE test scores Classes meet twice a week Less emphasis on student organizations Shared dorm rooms, affordable off-campus housing is scarce (shared apartments are sometimes available) Domestic networking/alumni association 10% growth in hiring for North America and Western Europe	The only program in Japan sponsored under the MEXT Young Leaders’ Program Scholarship Currently, citizens of Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, P. R. China, Rep. of Korea, Rep. of Turkey, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam (18 countries) are eligible to apply for a YLP scholarship at Hitotsubashi ICS.

Tuition and Scholarships

The tuition for a Japanese MBA program can range anywhere between ¥500,000-¥1,300,000 annually, while an American MBA can cost above ¥6,000,000 per year, about 6 times the cost of Japanese tuition.

There are a few international scholarships available in Japan. The most popular one for international students in Japan is the MEXT Scholarship, which is fully funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education. As for the US, many foundations offer scholarships, though they may be harder to find. If you are a US citizen, you are also eligible for federal financial aid through FAFSA. Fulbright offers one of the largest scholarships for students in different programs, including MBAs.

“Deep and Narrow” vs. “Wide and Shallow”

For both countries, various universities fall into two approaches of learning: “deep and narrow” vs. “wide and shallow”. The first approach follows specific objectives and goals while the other is more general and broad. As for which approach would be the best one, that depends on your personal preference, and it is possible to combine both elements.

In Japan, some universities follow the “deep and narrow” approach while others lean towards “wide and shallow”. Do you prefer expanding your field of knowledge with a wide range of classes, or have focused discussions on a handful of subjects? Do you want to gear your studies towards more theories? How much individual attention would you prefer?

While American MBA classes are quite large (Harvard Business School alone has approximately 934 students in one cohort), Japanese MBA classes are remarkably smaller, averaging at about 40 students in one cohort. If you decide to go towards the Japanese MBA route, you will not only contribute to a culturally diverse cohort, but you will also have more opportunities for individual recognition from each of the faculty members you interact with. This can benefit your job prospects, class participation, and overall MBA experience.

Job hunting

The job-hunting season falls at different times of the year between Japan and the US and should be considered when you are completing your MBA. In Japan, most employers generally hire employees to start in April since it is the beginning of the fiscal year. Postings may be released from the summer-fall before. As for the US, companies are broader with their hiring intervals, but on average, January and February are the main hiring months for American companies.

No matter what time of the year, Hitotsubashi University offers career support for all students throughout their term. With Hitotsubashi University ICS Career Services, you can map out your future goals through:

Personalized focus on developing your unique, global career
Complete job search process: building a search strategy, honing search skills, and connecting with potential employers
Proven expertise in helping non-Japanese students build careers in Japan
A resource available to you even after graduation
Deep working relationships with potential employers, offering students the right connections to organizations they seek

One option to consider is creating your own online portfolio; you can upload multilingual documents along with any published work or projects that you have worked on. No web design experience? No problem. There are plenty of free and open-source portfolio web hosts, including ones that provide even more free features for anyone who signs up with a university email address.

The requirements for job applications also vary:

Japanese Job Applications

American Job Applications

履歴書 (Rirekisho): A brief list of current and previous jobs/schools; A Japanese equivalent of a resume. You must attach a 3cm x 4cm photo of yourself. Sometimes it must be handwritten; 1-2 pages long.
職務経歴書(Shokumu-keirekisho): A combined Japanese CV/cover letter including a summary of job roles/duties, skillsets, achievements, certifications, language ability, and reasons why you are suitable for the job; 1-2 pages long.

Resume: Basic information and a list of current and previous jobs/schools; photos are not required; 1-page long.
CV: A detailed list of previous jobs and skillsets; 1-2 pages long.
Cover letter: A letter to the hiring managers that summarizes why you are the right fit for the job; usually 1 page long.

After graduation, the skills you would obtain from your MBA would generally be the same. However, the feasibility of practicing certain business ventures can be restricted to the type of visa you possess. In Japan, to run a business, you may have more steps in the application process if you do not possess Japanese citizenship or permanent residency. Your business must employ at least one full-time permanent resident, a Japanese citizen, a non-Japanese national with a long-term visa, or a child or spouse of a Japanese citizen or permanent resident.

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