What to look for in an MBA program in Japan

Depending on what step you are in your journey, you may be feeling overwhelmed as you’re flooded with facts and figures on the admissions sites. Or maybe you have a clear picture of what you want and need a program that matches it. There are many Japanese universities to put into consideration and several other choices that should be kept in mind.

 Whether you have yet to begin your search or have already started, this guide can help steer you in the right direction.

Self-Assessment

Before looking into facts and figures, it is important to prioritize your qualities as an applicant. Answer the following questions to narrow down your experiences and interests to see which school would be the best fit for you.

1. Have you lived abroad before? Are you ready to experience living in Japan?
2. What are your motivations for pursuing an MBA and taking courses in Japan?
3. What was your GPA during undergrad?
4. How much work experience do you have in business administration?
5. What did you score on the JLPT/GMAT/TOEFL/etc. (if applicable)?
6. Identify 1-3 qualities that you care about in a school.
1. Find university ranking lists that emphasize those qualities.
2. Explore how these schools perform with these qualities.
3. Make sure that these university programs are accredited (for Japanese universities, they would be accredited through the Ministry of Education).
7. Read blogs from the school/students.
8. Create a list of questions to ask current students and alumni.
9. Visit the campus (virtually or in person if you live in Japan). Consider the location of the school. Is it in a big city like Tokyo, or in a more rural area?
10. Cohort/Alumni: Where do these students usually go after graduating with an MBA?

Finances

Your ability to pay the hidden costs of education is crucial for selecting the best program for you. While tuition does bear the most costs, there are also other fees to consider when applying to a Japanese university.

Here are the following costs that you should keep in mind before applying to MBA programs in Japan.

• Tuition (many international MBA students in Japan have this partially or fully covered with scholarships)
• Relocation/Travel costs: Airplane tickets, moving fees, and transportation costs can add up. While some scholarships cover the airfare, it is good to have a full understanding of what you may need to save up before you leave your home country (or move domestically if you already live in Japan).
• Application Fees: Check if there is an application fee for the university. You can also contact the graduate admissions office to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver.
• Visa Fees: After being accepted into the program, you may also need to pay a fee to process your visa in Japan. You may also pay a fee when you apply for a work permit on your student visa.

International Curriculum: Eastern and Western Philosophies

A key benefit of studying under a Japanese MBA program is the easy accessibility to multicultural education. You can apply theories and practices from businesses in your home country in a Japanese classroom and vice versa. As you research Japanese MBA programs, you can also learn about the global inclusivity of the university courses and the faculty themselves. For example, Dr. Hirotaka Takeuchi is a professor at Harvard Business School and is the founding dean of Hitotsubashi University’s School of International Corporate Strategy (Hitotsubashi ICS). The students and faculty at these Japanese universities can lead by example and demonstrate how to pursue careers in global business.

Another element to consider is the multilingual content of the MBA program. While most universities offer courses in English, there are some that essentially provide courses in Japanese. Some universities also follow a different semester schedule as they follow an international one instead of a Japanese schedule, which always starts the school year in the spring.

Flexibility

The flexibility of your potential MBA program is also something to consider as an international student.

Lifestyle and Culture

Like the US mostly have business schools that are a part of larger institutions, Japanese universities also carry the weight of their MBA programs’ reputations instead of running as independent business schools. Each university in Japan has different levels of opportunities socially, academically, and philosophically. Pursuing your MBA in Japan can also encourage you to familiarize yourself with Japanese culture and language. Most Japanese universities only have Japanese-speaking staff while international universities have English-speaking staff across different departments. Either way, you can have hands-on experience with practicing a foreign language in your daily life as you go about your everyday life as a student.

While being enrolled in an MBA program can allow you to pursue your education and career, it is important to consider other elements of your lifestyle outside of the classroom. Do you want to join a sports team? What are your hobbies and interests outside of academics? Even if a school may not offer a 100% match with your interests, you can always start a club of your own, or join meetup groups outside of your university community. As a university student, you have access to other institutions if they have a consortium, and you can take advantage of trying out different offerings between campuses. Japanese universities have an eclectic array of student organizations that even graduate students can participate in. For example, if you are passionate about topics like gender equality, you can join your university chapter of VoiceUp Japan. Are you into gaming? There is probably an interest group for students at your university on Facebook.

By pursuing your interests, you can have a healthy work-life balance and an overall positive experience during your tenure in your MBA program.