What Universities in Japan are good for East Asian Studies?

[Emoni]

I've looked online and know of a few universities which have strong "Asian Studies" based departments, focusing on a culmination of culture, international relations, society, and history in a combined manner. I'm looking for both kenkyuusei and masters programs.

Specifically my area of research is related to post-war relations between Japan and East Asia over unresolved issues during World War II. (Yes, not a light topic especially with language concerns but I'm looking at it from an international perspective to attempt to keep it more focused on outward English material) I have a few colleges already lined up for consideration, but I am curious if any of those here know of specific departments that are good for both international students and provide a strong program.

Thank you very much for any leads and recommendations.

[Charles Barkley]

If you are not already, start looking at Waseda. The criteria that you mentioned, i.e., courses available in English and an East Asian studies program narrows the field very very significantly. Sophia university has a global studies program that offers English classes and covers some of the material you are talking about.

I plan to study a similar subject on a monbukagakusho scholarship that I should be receiving for this upcoming fall, and and those were the only two schools I could find that offered asian studies and English/Japanese.

You may want to look at that university called something like 'international university'--I believe that has similar courses, but they will only be in English (no Japanese classes), so that was a deal breaker for me. Also the location...

Ritsumeikan-Asian pacific university might be another option...

As far as reputation, both nationally and internationally, there will probably be a big dropoff after waseda, so keep that in mind.

If you want to study at any of the other top universities, you will have to have very good Japanese (1kyuu level, or almost on par with the Japanese students)

[senseiman]

I'm on my way to Japan on a Monbushogakusho this fall too. I haven't gotten confirmation of the scholarship, but I've been accepted to the program I applied for and they've recommended me to the Ministry, so hopefully I'll be OK there!

I was going to suggest the Waseda programs, but Mr. Barkley beat me to it.

I'm going to Kyushu University, which offers graduate level programs in Law and Engineering to foreign students in English (which isn't what you are looking for), but they also have decent programs in Japanese that might be what you are looking for.

[senseiman]

Just looking over Kyushu's website and there is a Master's Program that might be of interest to you:

http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/cspaprogram.htm

[Emoni]

Waseda really seems to be the only university I have found that has a very good mix of both English and Japanese classes and focus for Asian Studies. I have yet to find any program in Japan that matches it, even allowing a choice of English and Japanese for a master's thesis.

Every other program I find is an underwhelmed study abroad focused department or less. Very rarely a graduate program. Waseda looks good, but I would hope there are other colleges. I've been checking through this site: http://nime-glad.nime.ac.jp/en/index.php but have yet to find anything either.

I actually have talked to the department at Waseda and was told directly by the office I would be certain to be accepted. Problem is PAYING FOR IT. The scholarships before entry are limited to maybe 6 students being selected, but there are many afterwards. I'm curious if anyone has gone this route and knows a pathway or way to manage finances or other scholarships/funding options.

Pretty much, someone to talk to would be extremely helpful and I'd be quite grateful. Please let me know if anyone is willing. Thank you.

[Charles Barkley]

I'll be studying at Waseda's GSAPS starting next week. If I hear anything about it I will let you know, although I won't really be on the lookout for these types of scholarships as I will already be there on the MEXT scholarship.

Here is a contact address at the school if you want to ask them directly for information:

gsaps@list.waseda.jp

Also, here is a link in which クマ先生 explains in general terms how scholarships work at Waseda's various graduate schools:

http://www.cie-waseda.jp/admission/graduate/2008/special/special05_e.html
http://www.waseda.jp/cie/pdf/lifeatwaseda/scholarship_lodges/scholarship_e.pdf

I couldn't find any other schools that matched it either (and not just in one category, but in numerous categories). I liked the program Sophia offers but it is a little bit different.

Compared to U.S. grad schools, the cost of attending the GSAPS, even without a scholarship, is quite low.

[Charles Barkley]

Also, since I imagine you are trying to get out of Japan, it might not be such an appealing prospect, but the University of San Diego has possibly the best pacific rim program around.

http://irps.ucsd.edu/about/about-irps/

I would strongly consider going there myself sometime in the future if Waseda is not what I hope it is...

[Emoni]

Thanks a lot Charles, I really appreciate it a lot. I'll read over the links as I didn't see the kuma ones before. I'll also check out the graduate program in SD too. I hope things go well for you. I did a year at Waseda in SILS in the same building as GSAPS, I don't expect you'll be disappointed in anyway. From already meeting with two of the teachers they seemed quite good.