Admission
numberED02（Spring enrollment）
ED06（Autumn enrollment）

Graduate School of Economics
Hitotsubashi University
2-1 Naka Kunitachi, Tokyo
186-8601 JAPANFax: +81-42-580-8195
E-mail: econ-exam.gs[at]ad.hit-u.ac.jp

Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University
Admissions Office (AO) Selection for International Students
to Enter the Doctoral Program(Starting from April 2025or September 2025)

The Graduate School of Economics of Hitotsubashi University admits a limited number ofapplicants from outside Japan to the Doctoral Program through Admissions Office (AO)
selection. Applicants must be highly motivated, have a strong academic background ineconomics, and should be able to provide a detailed proposal for doctoral research that aims
to make a substantive contribution to the field. If admitted, applicants are expected to work
closely with their thesis advisors and other faculty members to complete all degree
requirements within three years. Please read the following information carefully before
preparing your application. We strongly recommend prospective applicants to contact theAdmissions Office in advance to confirm whether you are eligible to apply for the Doctoral
Program.
1. Timing of Admission and Eligibility for Applicants
The academic year at Hitotsubashi University begins on April 1 and is divided into four
quarters: Spring (early April to early June), Summer (early June to late July), Autumn (midSeptember to early November) and Winter (early November to mid-January). Admission for
the Doctoral Program is open twice a year for the Spring enrollment and the Autumn
enrollment.
To be eligible for the program starting in Spring 2025, applicants must satisfy condition (1)and one of the two conditions (2) or (3).
(1) Hold a nationality other than Japanese.
(2) Have received (or expect to receive by the end of March 2025) a master’s degree or its
equivalent from a university outside Japan of recognized standing.
(3) Have received (or expect to receive by the end of March 2025) a master’s degree fromthe Asia Public Policy Program at the School of International and Public Policy ofHitotsubashi University (hereafter APPP).
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To be eligible for the program starting in Autumn 2025, applicants must satisfy condition (4)and one of the two conditions (5) or (6).
(4) Hold a nationality other than Japanese.
(5) Have received (or expect to receive by the end of July 2025) a master’s degree or its
equivalent from a university outside Japan of recognized standing.
(6) Have received (or expect to receive by the end of July 2025) a master’s degree from the
APPP.
2. Documents Required for Application
Applicants are required to "Register online via web application page" and "Submit
documents by mail". Please refer to the attached "Application Process for Hitotsubashi
University Graduate School" as well as this application guideline for the online application
registration via web application page. All the documents must be in English or Japanese. If
original documents are written in languages other than English or Japanese, please attach an
English or Japanese translation.
(1) Preparation of documents.
Please prepare the following documents. The documents include "Documents to besubmitted by the applicant" as shown in Table 1 below and "Documents to be submitted
by a person other than the applicant (Recommender)" (Letters of recommendation) as
shown in Table 2. Please note that some applicants could be exempted from submittingthese documents, so please read the details for each document carefully.
A) For the formatted documents, please use the Word or Excel format file provided on
the following web page (Admissions to the Graduate Programs), and avoid handwriting except for your signature.
<https://www.econ.hit-u.ac.jp/eng/page/graduate/admission.html >B) If any of the submitted documents include certificates or other documents written in
a foreign language other than English, please attach an English or Japanesetranslation of them.
(2) When you have prepared the documents, please create PDF files of the documents (2)through (8), excluding "Application Form" (1). These PDF files are uploaded via Web
Application online application registration (see below, "3. Application Procedure").
A) Each document must be scanned in color at a resolution of 150 dpi or higher without
distortion or shadows, using a copier or similar device with a scanning function.
Digital cameras are not acceptable. The "’(6) Research Proposal " should be
converted directly from a Word file to a PDF file.
B) These image data files should be combined to make a single PDF file of the relevant
documents, etc. The file name should be "Last name_first name_application.pdf"
and "last name first name" should also be written in alphabetical characters.
e.g., Hanako Hitotsubashi: hitotsubashi_hanako_application.pdf
e.g., John Onebridge: onebridge_john_application.pdfable 1. Documents to besubmitted by the applicant
2Documents

Details

After registering your application on the web application
page, print out a double-sided, color printout from the"Applicant's Personal Page". If there are multiple copies,
please staple the upper left corner.



Certificates of the undergraduate and master’s degree (orcertificate expecting to receive a master’s degree) issued
by the degree-awarding university.

(1) Application form

(2) Certificates ofundergraduate andmaster’s degree(3) Transcripts(4) TOEFL® score

Official copies of transcripts of the undergraduate andmaster’s should be submitted. Current students of the APPP
should also include their most recent transcript from the
APPP Applicants who have received a degree from a country
where English is not the main language must have a
TOEFL-iBT® score of over 92.
 The TOEFL® score must be official and should be mailed
directly to the Graduate School of Economics,
Hitotsubashi University (TOEFL DI Code 0436,
Graduate School of Economics Department code 84
Economics). In addition to the official TOEFL® score,applicants should submit a photocopy of the TOEFL®
score report, or submit a printout of your score which canbe found on the official ETS Website. TOEFL® score
reports must be dated January 1, 2022 or later.
 In place of a TOEFL® score, applicants may submit otherdocuments that prove equivalent competence in English.
Please consult with the Admissions Office in advance.
 An applicant who has received a degree from a country
where English is the main language and used forlearning is exempt from this requirement. Applicants
who have received (or expect to receive) a master’s degreefrom the APPP are also exempt from this requirement.


Samples of the applicant’s work that demonstratepreparedness for undertaking doctoral level research aswell as competence in academic writing (e.g., master’s
thesis, published work, discussion papers, or term
papers).



Research proposal must be prepared with 11-point font,
double-spaced, and no more than 20 pages in A4 or US
letter size.

(5) Samples ofacademic work(6) Research proposal

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Research proposal should include: (1) research topics
and objectives, (2) a review of the literature most
relevant to the proposed research, (3) the originality
and significance of the proposed research, (4) data andmethodology, and (5) a reference list.
 If there are multiple copies, please staple the upper left
corner.
 For applicants living in Japan, if available, a copy of aresidence card should be provided. If not available, acopy of the photo page of the applicant’s passport should
be provided.
 For applicants living outside Japan, a copy of the photo
page of the applicant’s passport should be provided.
 There is a non-refundable application fee of JPY30,000.
Please pay the application fee after September 1, 2024
 The application fee is waived for international students
who are currently receiving a MEXT (Monbukagakusho)
scholarship. These applicants must submit proof of their
MEXT scholar status from the home university
 The application fee is waived also for current studentsof the APPP.
【Payment by bank transfer】
 Payment must be made directly to the following bankaccount. A copy of the bank receipt for the wire transfer
should accompany the application.
Beneficiary bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
SWIFT Code: SMBCJPJT
Branch name: Kunitachi BranchBank address: 1-8-45 Naka, Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japan, 186-0004
Beneficiary name: Hitotsubashi University
Branch code-Account number: 666-7761762
Beneficiary address: 2-1 Naka, Kunitachi, Tokyo,186-860
Phone Number: +81-42-580-8078【For applicants living in Japan】
 Payment at a convenience store / Payment by Pay-easy,internet banking or credit card
 Please go to the payment site https://e-shiharai.net/ andregister your information first Pay the fee at a counter. If you pay at a convenience
stores, Seven-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson or Mini
Stop, you will receive the "Certificate of Payment". If
you pay the fee through the other convenience stores,
Pay-easy, Net banking, or credit card, print out the"Certificate of Payment" by accessing "Inquiry" of eshiharai.net with your receipt number and your Date of(7) Residence cardor passport(8) Application fee

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Birth (YYYY/MM/DD).
Mail it with all other necessary documents.
The instructions can also be found at the following link
https://www.hit-.ac.jp/faculties/graduate/examfee.html(Continuation of(8) Application fee)

【For applicants living outside Japan】
 Payment is accepted only by credit card*. Please go to
the payment site https://e-shiharai.net/, select "credit card"for the payment method and input your card
information. All your application information isdisplayed. Check and click "確定 (confirm)".
*It is possible to use a card which carries a different
name from that of the applicant. However, please makesure that the information on the basic information pageis the applicant’s information.
 After making your payment, please make sure you haveaccess to a printer with paper (A4) and access "申込内容
紹介 (Inquiry) " at e-Shiharai.net.
 Please [1. Check your card][2.Input Receipt
Number][3.Input your Date of Birth (YYYY/M/DD)] ,click "照会する (refer to the data) " and all of yourapplication information is displayed. Then, click Bluebutton "証明書を発行する (issue a Certificate ofPayment)".
 Mail it with all other necessary documents
 The instructions can also be found at the following link:
https://www.hit-u.ac.jp/faculties/graduate/examfee.html

Table 2. Documents to be submitted by a person other than the applicant(Recommender) Use the university Word format.
URL for format publication：
https://www1.econ.hit- u.ac.jp/office/bosyu/_recommendation_en.docx

At least one letter of recommendation is required. Two
or more letters are desirable. Letters ofrecommendation should be written by persons who areable to evaluate the applicant’s academic performanceand research ability. Current students of the APPP who wish
to be enrolled from Autumn 2025 should submit at least one
recommendation letter from a current faculty member of the
APPP.



Please contact the Administration Office if you have any
reason for not submitting a letter of recommendation

Letters ofrecommendation(Continuation of
Letters ofrecommendation)

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



Letters of recommendation can only be accepted if they
are submitted directly to the university by the official
email address of the organization to which theevaluator belongs to the following address (address,
etc., are also listed on the form). We do not accept forms
submitted by anyone other than the evaluator or by freeemail accounts such as Gmail or Outlook.
Enter the applicant's name in the " Last name First
name " field below○subject：Last name First name _letter of recommendation（e.g., John Onebridge：
Onebridge, John letter of recommendation)○file-name：Last name_First name_recommendation.pdf（e.g., John Onebridge：
onebridge john_recommendation.pdf)
Address： graduate school of Economics Administration
Office at Hitotsubashi University.
econ-recommendation@ad.hit-u.ac.jp
Deadline for submission：【Applicants for spring (April) 2025 enrollment】
October 31, 2024
【Applicants for Autumn (September) 2025 enrollment】
April 30, 2025

3. Application Procedures
Please register your application on the web application page listed on the Hitotsubashi
University web page below during the registration period. Then submit the documents thatneed to be mailed during the application period.
https://www.hit-u.ac.jp/faculties/index.html
Application period for registration on the web application page and by mail【Applicants for spring (April) 2025 enrollment】
From October 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024
The deadline for receipt of the letter of recommendation by e-mail is October 31, the last dayof the application period. Please request your evaluator to prepare and submit the form by
the application period.
【Applicants for Autumn (September) 2025 enrollment】
From April 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025
The deadline for receipt of the letter of recommendation by e-mail is April 30, the last day of
the application period. Please request your evaluator to prepare and submit the form by the6application period.
Ⅰ Web application※Please note that no modifications or changes can be made to the web application page after
registration is completed.
[Admission number]
Please select "ED02" or "ED06." (*ED02: Spring enrollment, ED06:
Autumn enrollment)[Status of Residence]
If you are a foreign national currently residing in Japan, please fill out
the form.
[Research Title]
Please enter within approximately 30 words[Matters requiring special mention 1]
Please list up to the third choice of your preferred academic advisor[Matters requiring special mention 2]
TOEFL score or any other qualifications to show English proficiency
Name of Exam, Date, Score/ Or have a degree from an English-speaking university[Matters requiring special mention 3-5]
No need to enter[Upload your photo data]
The photo data must meet the following conditions
Taken within the last 6 months. A clear color photo of 30 mm x 40 mm
Format: JPG 100 KB to 5 MB.
[Upload Application Documents]
After you have prepared the documents (2) to (8) listed in Table 1,Documents Required for Application", upload them in PDF format withthe file name as " Last_name_First name_application" ("First name
Last_name " is also written in alphabetical characters). Please select"Application 1" on the web application page.
○file-name： Last_name First name _application.pdf（e.g., onebridge john_application.pdf)

ⅡPrintable slips
After entering the application information, you will be able to print the"Application Form" and "Address Label (for mailing application documents)"
from the "Applicant's Personal Page".
[Application form]
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Please mail with your application documents[Mailing label]This can be used only in Japan when mailing application documents.
Ⅲ

Application Package
Please place all the required materials (except for the official TOEFL® score, if
applicable, which should be mailed directly to the Graduate School of Economics byETS) in an envelope and send the package to the following address by registered mail(e.g., Express Mail Service or EMS). Please write “Application for Doctoral Program”
in red ink at the bottom of the envelope. No electronic submissions will be accepted.
[Mailing Address]
Admissions Office
Graduate School of Economics
Hitotsubashi University
2-1 Naka Kunitachi, Tokyo
186-8601 JAPANFax: +81-42-580-8195
E-mail: econ-exam.gs[at]ad.hit-u.ac.jp※Please note that no modifications nor changes can be made to the web application pageafter registration is completed※Prior to sending your application, please make sure that there is an appropriate academic
advisor within the university who can supervise your research
You could contact your preferred academic advisor in advance

4. Admission Process(1) The First Stage of Selection (Documents review)
Documents review is conducted based on the Recommendation Letter, the Master's
Thesis, the Research Proposal, and other submitted documents.
In principle, applicants will be notified of the results of the document review within 50
days after the application period excluding the university holidays.

(2) The Second Stage of Selection (Oral examination)
For those who pass the first stage are requested to take an online (would use Zoom) oral
examination in relation to the Master's Thesis and other research achievements, as wellas on matters related to the research proposal.

The date and time for an oral

examination will be notified individually.
In case of indicating the preference to take an oral examination in English on the8application form, we take it into consideration.

However, this does not apply if theexaminers decide that an examination in Japanese is necessary.

(3) The number of students to be admitted through AO selection for international applicants
is as follows:
Around 5 (for the enrollment in Spring 2025)
Around 5 (for the enrollment in Autumn 2025)

5. Announcement of Successful Applicants
The second stage result is sent by e-mail to an applicant individually.
6. Procedures for Enrollment(1) To enroll in the Doctoral Program, prospective students are required to pay a matriculation
fee of JPY282,000. The payment period for Spring enrollment is from February 25 to 28,
2025. The payment period for Autumn enrollment is from July 21 to July28, 2025. Please
note that applicants who are admitted but fail to pay the matriculation fee during these
specified periods will be regarded as declining to enroll in the program. The matriculation
fee is waived for current students of the APPP.
(2) If prospective students wish to receive an exemption or deferment of the payment of thematriculation fee, they should consult with the Student Services Division at Hitotsubashi
University and apply for exemption or deferment during the period specified by Student
Services Division before making the payment. (One cannot apply for exemption ordeferment after making the payment.) Please note that if the application for exemption ordeferment is rejected, such prospective students must make a prompt payment of thematriculation fee after the rejection.
(3) Other information
 Prospective students will be notified further about the necessary procedures anddocuments for enrollment, including tuition fees (JPY535,800 per year) that mustbe paid after the enrollment.
 Prospective international students must have or obtain a resident status that enables
them to enroll in the Doctoral Program in accordance with the Immigration Control
and Refugee Recognition Act by the start of the program.
 Prospective students who are dispatched and financially supported by a foreign
government must obtain a letter of approval for the enrollment issued by the foreign
government.
 The matriculation and tuition fees are subject to change.
97. Additional Remarks(1) The admission process is handled by the Admissions Office of the Graduate School of
Economics.
(2) Admission-related questions should be sent to the Admissions Office by e-mail(econ-exam.gs[at]ad.hit-u.ac.jp), or fax (+81-42-580-8195). Questions by telephone will
not be answered.
(3) Prospective students may contact with one or more faculty members of the Graduate
School of Economics in advance.
(4) Applicants must submit original documents, not photocopies, except for the payment of
the application fee and the passport. Application materials submitted to the
Administration Office will not be returned.

The application fee is not refundable

8. Timeline of the Doctoral Program
Students in the Doctoral Program are expected to complete all degree requirements, including
the submission of doctoral dissertation, in three years in the following sequence.
(1) First YearIn the first year, students are required to choose a main advisor and take his or her seminar(an interactive and discussion-based course with a small number of students who sharethe same fields of specialization) and establish close working relationships with theadvisor. By the end of the first year, each student must form a dissertation advisorycommittee consisting of at least two faculty members of the Graduate School of
Economics and submit a dissertation prospectus to the committee for approval. The
dissertation prospectus must identify original and important research questions andprovide detailed research plans.
(2) Second YearIn the second year, students must continue to take their advisors’ seminars and are
expected to report their research progress to their advisors regularly. Before submitting a
dissertation, students are required to make at least two presentations of their research intheir advisors’ seminars or research workshops.
(3) Third YearIn the third year, students must continue to take their advisors’ seminars. By the end of
the third year, students are expected to submit a dissertation to the faculty committee of
the Graduate School of Economics. At least two letters of recommendation must
accompany the dissertation. The completed dissertation must be defended before thedissertation committee that consists of several faculty members of the Graduate Schoolof Economics (or equivalent) at a public presentation.

10Note on Student Dormitories Provided by the University
Hitotsubashi University has four dormitories for international students located in Kunitachi
and Kodaira. Applicants who wish to live in the dormitory should submit applications basedon the application guidelines that will be announced in June and December at the websites
below. Please note that dormitory selection is done by lottery.
Website:https://international.hit-u.ac.jp/jp/curr/accom/application_for_dorm/index.html

Students with Disabilities or Special Needs: Entrance Examination and Academic Learning
Assistance
Applicants with disabilities or special needs who require accommodation during the application
process and / or once they start their program at the Graduate School of Economics should notify the
Admissions Office prior to submitting the Doctoral Program application documents. The deadline forthe program starting in Spring 2025 is July28, 2024 (Japan Standard Time), and the deadline for the
program starting in Autumn 2025 is January 24, 2025 (Japan Standard Time). Although the
Admissions Office will accept accommodation requests after these dates, we may not be able to makethe necessary arrangements in time for the screening and / or the start of the program.
By requesting accommodation for the application process, you are not obligated to apply to the
Graduate School of Economics. If you are undecided about whether to apply for the program, you
can still submit accommodation requests.
Note: Depending on the type of accommodation you request, it may take some time for the
Admissions Office to respond.

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