DIRECTIONS FOR APPLICATIONFORTHE SPECIAL ADMISSION OF FOREIGN STUDENTS
FOR ADMISSION IN APRIL・OCTOBER, 2022
(THREE-YEAR DOCTORAL COURSE)
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS), Tottori University, was founded in 1989 offering an
independent three-year Doctoral course. The UGSAS is organized on the bases of the three Master's Courses of Tottori,
Shimane and Yamaguchi Universities, in the research facilities at the three universities. The UGSAS is operated in close
alliance and cooperation with the Master's Courses of the three constituent Universities.
This graduate school aims to develop researchers and competent professionals who have the capabilities, in-depth
knowledge, and advanced skills that enable them to pursue issues in agriculture and related fields, who can contribute to
the development of science and technology and meet the demands of regional communities and international society. Our
Graduate School seeks foreign students, (1) who have the basic knowledge and academic ability required in each major
field of Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Bioresource and Life Sciences and Global Dryland Science; (2)who are motivated to acquire a higher level of expertise and skills and engage in original research by leveraging such
expertise and skills; and (3) who are eager to contribute to the development of science and technology and the demands ofregional and international communities.
1. FIELDS OF STUDY AND NUMBER OF STUDENTS FOR ADMISSION(1) Fields of Study:
Applications for any field of Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Bioresource and Life Sciences andGlobal Dryland Science are accepted, provided that each applicant selects a suitable academic major supervisor
at UGSAS.
(2) Number of Students for admission:
A limited number of students funded privately or by the other sources (hereafter "Personal Funds").
2. QUALIFICATIONS(1) Nationality: Applicants with personal funds who are living outside of Japan at the time of application.
Applicants should be nationals from countries which have a diplomatic relation with Japan.
(2) Age: There is no age limitation for applicants with personal funds.
(3) Academic career: Applicants should have or be expected to earn a master’s degree by the end of March 2022 toenroll in classes in April 2022. Applicants should be expected to earn a master’s degree by the end of September
2022 to enroll in classes in October 2022.
(4) Health: Applicants should be in good mental and physical health.
(5) Language proficiency: A good working level of English or Japanese is required.
(6) Arrival in Japan: Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in April 2022 must arrive in Japan between
April 1 and 7, 2022. Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in October 2022 must arrive in Japanbetween October 1 and 7, 2022.
(7) Note:(A) Applicants must have a recommendation from the dean of the faculty (or someone higher in position) of theuniversity or institution.
1

(B) Applicants must be available for an interview with the members of the oral examination committee via
videoconference or other means to take an oral examination.
3. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, EXAMINATION SCHEDULE, AND ADMISSION DECISIONS
Deadline
Remarks
Application Applicants who wish to enroll in classes in April Submit the application through the2022:
desired major supervisor to theJune 1 (Tue.), 2021 - November 26 (Fri.), 2021
UGSAS.
Applicants who wish to enroll in classes in
October 2022:
June 1 (Tue.), 2021 – May 27 (Fri.), 2022
Examination An examination schedule (for an oral exam) will An oral exam will be conducted as
be reported to the applicant through the specified in Section “5. Procedure
prospective major supervisor within 30 days of for the Selection of Graduate
the submission of the application.
Students.”
Applicants who wish to enroll in classes in April
2022:
An oral exam is scheduled sometime between
July 1 (Thur.), 2021 and December 17 (Fri.),
2021.
Applicants who wish to enroll in classes in
October 2022:
An oral exam is scheduled sometime between
July 1 (Thur.), 2021 and June 30 (Thur.), 2022
Admission
Admission decisions will be reported to the Acceptance letters will be mailed
Decisionsapplicant through the prospective major to successful applicants.
supervisor within 30 days of the oral exam.
4. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
An applicant should submit the following documents through the desired major supervisor during an application period.
Applications directly mailed to UGSAS are not accepted.
Documents:(1) Application Form (Use Form No. 1-2)
(2) Photograph: One photograph (4 cm x 3 cm) should be pasted on the application form. Photograph should betaken from the front, from the chest up, bare-headed, and taken within the last three months.
(3) Curriculum Vitae (Use Form No. 2)(4) A certificate for the master's degree or a certificate issued by the applicant's graduate school indicating that theapplicant will be receiving or has received a master's degree by the end of March/ September 2022.
(5) Evaluation: This evaluation must be written by the dean of the applicant’s graduate school (Form No. 3 can beused).
(6) Application Fee: 30,000 JPY (paid in cash).
(7) Master’s Thesis(A) Applicants who have completed a master’s course:(a) A copy of the master’s thesis, or published manuscript equivalent to the thesis.
(b) A summary of the master’s thesis in English (about 1,200 words). Use A4 paper and attach a cover sheet(Form No. 5).
(B) Applicants who anticipate receiving a master’s degree:(a) Describe your research program in English (A4 size, about 5,000 words). This report may include tables
and figures.
2(b) A summary of the research program in English; details are the same as in ((A)-(b))(8) Research Proposal: Describe your research proposal (goal, objectives, experimental design). Use A4 paper andattach a cover sheet (Form No. 6)(9) Letter of Application: Describe why you chose our graduate course, and state your future goals. Use A4 paper
and attach a cover sheet (Form No. 7)(10) Letter of Permission for Application (Use Form No. 8): If you are working for a public or private institution,
arrange a letter of permission from your supervisor at your place of employment.
(11) Copy of passport or Certificate of citizenship issued by the applicant's municipal authority.
(12) Recommendation Letter from the President of the University or Dean of the Faculty.
Notes:① These documents should be either typewritten or printed neatly in English or Japanese. Application forms can be
downloaded from the Website (http://rendai.muses.tottori-u.ac.jp/english/recruit/index.html).
② Applications will not be accepted unless all documents are fully and correctly completed and delivered by thedue dates.
③ None of the documents submitted will be returned to the applicants.
④ Each applicant should select a professor as the prospective major supervisor and contact the professor when
preparing the application documents. Any application without nominating a professor as the major supervisor
will not be accepted.
⑤ The application fee is nonrefundable once paid.
5. PROCEDURE FOR THE SELECTION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS(1) Graduate students will be selected through a comprehensive evaluation of the oral examination, the documents
submitted, and other elements.
(2) During an interview for the oral exam conducted via videoconference, at least three members of the oral exam
committee (who are one or more faculty members of each of the constituent universities and which include theprospective major supervisor) will spend about 50 minutes reviewing the master’s thesis and the research proposal(roughly 30 minutes for the description of the Master’s thesis and 20 minutes for questions and answers).
(3) The method of the oral exam is subject to approval by the board of representatives following the submission of the
Notice of the Method of the Oral Exam (Form No. 12) by the prospective major supervisor to the dean of the faculty.
6. ADMISSION PROCEDURES, ETC.
(1) Period of Admission Procedures:(A) Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in April 2022 are expected to complete the procedures by the
beginning of March 2022. They will be notified of the period at a later date.
(B) Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in October 2022 are expected to complete the procedures by
the beginning of September 2022. They will be notified of the period at a later date.
(2) Fees on entrance(A) Admission fee: 282,000 JPY (proposed).
(B) Tuition: 267,900 JPY (proposed) for the first semester (annually 535,800 JPY). Tuition may be revised eachschool year.
(C) ①Personal accident insurance for students pursuing education and research (Hereafter “Gakkensai”): This
insurance compensates for physical injuries suffered students in their intra-curricular activities both on and off
3

campus, and extra-curricular activities on campus. All students enrolled have to pay the premium of 2,600 yen
for three years.
②Insurance for International Students (Type E)：This insurance covers (1) Personal compensation responsibility：in case of
causing injury to another person or damaging the property of others, (2) Rescuer expenses, etc.：compensate for the paymentof transportation and accommodation expenses in case family members come to Japan to support the insured if he/she ishospitalized due to injury or illness for more than 3 days. (3) Movable property for daily use：in case of incurs a damage
because his household goods are subject to fire or robbery in Japan. (4) Tenant Liability：in case of causing damage to a rented
room due to an accident involving fire or water leakage in Japan. (Unlike "Gakkensai", there is no restriction on time andplace)All International students enrolled have to pay the insurance premiums (3 years): 9,270 yen[Additional Benefits]
The National Health Insurance scheme is a fundamental part of Japan's medical care system. It is designed
to cover a portion of the medical expenses incurred by citizens.
To apply for National Health Insurance, go to your local municipal government offices and follow therequired procedures as instructed. After joining the scheme, you will only be responsible for paying 30%
of any medical expenses you incur. (Exceptions apply in some cases.)
7. EDUCATIONThe successful applicants will be enrolled as full-time graduate students and under supervision and instruction in
English or Japanese. Each student is supervised by faculty members of the three constituent Universities with aprofessor as a major supervisor and two professors as sub-supervisors. Although each student studies at aconstituent University where the major supervisor resides, the student can use the training and research facilities atthe other two constituent Universities.
8. NOTE(1) If false statements were made in the application dossiers, admission shall be rejected even after having been
accepted by the United Graduate School.
(2) With enrollment, new students are advised to become well informed about the Japanese climate, customs,
manners, and other cultural aspects in general before coming to Japan. It is strongly advised that they study theJapanese language. Knowledge of the Japanese language is very helpful to newcomers to Japan.
More detailed information and all correspondence about this program is available from the following:
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University
4-101, Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553, Japan
Tel: +81-857-31-5446
Fax: +81-857-31-5683 (81 is the international code for Japan)
E-mail: ag-rengaku@ml.adm.tottori-u.ac.jp
Address of Constituent Universities:*Tottori University
Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101, Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553, Japan
Tel: +81-857-31-5446
Fax: +81-857-31-5683 (81 is the international code for Japan)*Shimane University
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Shimane University, 1060, Nishikawatsu, Matsue, 690-8504,
Japan
Tel: ＋81-852-32-6492
Fax: ＋81-852-32-6499 (81 is the international code for Japan)*Yamaguchi University
Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515 Japan
Tel: ＋81-83-933-5800
Fax: ＋81-83-933-5820 (81 is the international code for Japan)
4

List of Major Supervisors and their Research Interests
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences offers doctoral programs in the following three major
courses : Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental Sciences ; Bioresource and Life Sciences and Global Dryland
Science. Each course contains one to four Divisions ; and each Division offers basic and applied research
programs. Faculty members (Professors and Associate Professors who serve as Major Supervisors) and theiractive research programs are listed below.

１．THE COURSE OF BIOPRODUCTION AND BIOENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES（a） Division of Agricultural Production Science
ASAO Toshiki (SN)

Vegetable and Ornamental
Science

Production of vegetables and ornamentals

ARAKI Hideki (YG)

Agronomy

Function of plant production under environmental stresses andits agronomical application

OHTA Katsumi (SN)Horticultural Plant Science

Studies on growth control in horticultural plants

KITA Ichiro (SN)

Water and Vegetation use
Planning

Water use planning and management, and improvement byvegetation

KOBAYASHI Nobuo (SN)Horticultural Breeding

Evaluation of plant genetic resources and applications forbreeding

TAKAHASHI Tadashi (YG)

Crop Science

Establishment of low-cost and low-input crop cultivation
systems

TANAKA Hiroyuki (TT)Plant Genetics

Genetic and breeding studies on improving quality of wheat
flour

TSURUNAGA Yoko (SN)Food Processing

Studies on manufacturing method and functionality in foodprocessing

NAKATSUKA Akira (SN)

Molecular Breeding of
Horticultural Crop

Molecular breeding for agriculturally useful traits in horticulture
crops

NONAMI Kazuyoshi (TT)Agricultural Production
Engineering

Mechanization of agricultural work

MATSUMOTO Shingo (SN)Biochemistry of Soil and Plant
Nutrition

Studies on the mechanism of plant nutrient acquisition in
relation to soil fertility

MATSUMOTO Toshikazu (SN)

Fruit Science

Studies on fruit growing and processed foodYANO Akira (SN)

Bioenvironmental ElectricalEngineering

Application of electrical engineering to bioenvironmental
technologies

YAMAMOTO Haruhiko (YG)

Environmental Information
Science

Growth diagnosis of plant canopies by optical measuringmethods（b） Division of Managerial Economics
INOUE Norikazu (SN)Farm Management

Farming practices and resource management on farm businesses

TANEICHI Yutaka (YG)

Agricultual Marketing

Study on distribution of agricultural products and agricultural
materials

NOHMI Makoto (TT)Rural Economics

Development and application of regional analysis methods

MATSUDA Toshinobu (TT)Economics of Consumer Behavior

Empirical analysis of consumer behavior, especially fooddemandMATSUMURA Ichizen (TT)Farm Management

Studies on the relationship between farm management and ruralsociety

WAN Li (TT)Marketing Information Analytics

Agricultural products distribution channels and econometricanalysis of market information

YASUNOBU Kumi (TT)International Agricultural
Development Studies

Agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia（c） Division of Forest and Watershed Environmental Sciences
ISHII Masayuki (SN)Regional Infrastructure
Engineering

Development of designing method for renovation of irrigation
facilities

NAGAMATSU Dai (TT)Plant Ecology

Population dynamics of forest and grassland, vegetation scienceand biodiversity conservation.

HIOKI Yoshiyuki (TT)Conservation and Restoration
Planning of Ecosystem

Ecological planning and engineering for conservation andrestoration of biodiversity

FUJIMOTO Takaaki (TT)Wood Physics

Analysis of wood property variation, and development of
measurement techniques（d） Division of Environmental Bioscience
ITOH Kazuhito (SN)

Soil Microbiology

Plant- microbe interaction

UENO Makoto (SN)

Plant Pathology

Studies on the expression of resistance in plant-microbe
interaction

KAMINAKA Hironori (TT)Plant-Microbe Interactions

Molecular mechanisms of immune response and mycorrhizal
symbiosis in plants

KARASAWA Shigenori (TT)Biodiversity

Genetic diversity and species diversity of invertebrates

KIHARA Junichi (SN)

Plant Pathology

Photoresponces of the phytopathogenic fungi

KODAMA Motoichiro (TT)Plant Pathology

Molecular mechanisms in plant-microbe interactions and plantdisease resistance

TAKEMATSU Yoko (YG)

Ecological Entomology

Biodiversity and ecology of termites

MIYANAGA Ryoichi (SN)

Insect Ecology

Biology and management of wild bees

YAMAGUCHI Keiko (SN)

Aquatic Ecology

Studies on ecology of benthic animals and aquatic environments

２．THE COURSE OF BIORESOURCE AND LIFE SCIENCES（a） Division of Fungus and Mushroom Sciences
AIMI Tadanori (TT)Biochemical Technology ofMicroorganisms

Biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology of microbial
production

SHIMOMURA Norihiro (TT)Mushroom Breeding andCultivation

Studies on breeding and cultivation of mushroom resources

SOTOME Kozue (TT)Mushroom Phylogeny andTaxonomy

Phylogenetic taxonomy of mushrooms,
researches of wood-decaying basidiomycetes.

andecological（b） Division of Bioscience and Biotechnology
ARIMA Jiro (TT)Bio-Functional Chemistry

Functional analysis of enzymes and microorganisms, and theirapplication to industry

ISHIKAWA Takahiro (SN)

Plant Molecular Physiology

Biosynthesis pathway of antioxidants and metabolism of reactive
oxygen species in photosynthetic organisms

IWASAKI Takashi (TT)

Bioregulatory Chemistry

Development and screening of bioactive substances regulating
biological function

KAWAMUKAI Makoto (SN)Genetic Engineering

Signal transduction, cell cycle control andcoenzyme Q in yeasts

biosynthesis of

SHIOTSUKI Takahiro (SN)

Insect Chemical Biology andAgrobio-Regulators

Chemical biology and molecular mechanisms in regulation of
insect development and their applications

NAKAGAWA Tsuyoshi (SN)

Plant Molecular Genetics

Molecular mechanisms of plant development and technology for
analysis of plant genes

MANO Jun'ichi (YG)

Mechanisms of Environmental
Stress-tolerance in Plants

Elucidation and application of plant tolerance mechanisms
against abitotic environmental stresses

MARUTA Takanori (SN)

Plant Physiology

Redox metabolism network and stress response in plants（c） Division of Applied Bioresource Chemistry
AZAKAMI Hiroyuki (YG)

Molecular Microbiology

Molecular mechanisms of bacterial colonization to host surface

ISHIHARA Atsushi (ＴＴ)

Natural Product Chemistry

Function, Biological activity, and Biosynthesis of metabolites
produced by plants and microorganisms

ICHIYANAGI Tsuyoshi (TT)Organic Chemistry

The molecular design and functional analysis of bioactive
compounds

KAWANO Tsuyoshi (TT)Bioorganic Chemistry

Regulation of diapause, metabolism and longevity corresponding
to the growth environment

SHIMIZU Hidehisa (SN)

Nutritional Pathophysiology

Study on the relationship between food-derived bacterial
metabolites or cyanobacteria-derived toxins, and pathogenesis of
diseases

TAMURA Jun-ichi (TT)Organic Chemistry

Chemical
synthesisofbioactive
isolation/characterization of natural glycans

MUROTA Kaeko (SN)

Bioavailability and Food Function

Bioavailability and physiological function of lipophilic foodfactors

YAMAMOTO Tatsuyuki (SN)

Bio-molecular Spectroscopy

Spectroscopic studies on life science and medical applications

WATANABE Fumio (TT)Food Science

Chemistry and nutrition of vitamin B12 and related compounds
in foodglycansand

３．THE COURSE OF GLOBAL DRYLAND SCIENCE（a） Division of Global Dryland Science
AKASHI Kinya (TT)

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Molecular responses of drought-tolerant plants and theirapplication to molecular breeding

AYEHU Nigussie Haregeweyn (TT)Land Management

Watershed processes monitoring, modeling and management

AN Ping (TT)Plant Eco-Physiology

Physiological responses and relative mechanisms of plants andplant ecophysiology in dry lands.

ICHINOHE Toshiyoshi (SN)Livestock Feeding

Evaluation of ruminants production system

INOSAKO Koji (TT)Soil and Water Management

Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of soil and water
environment

IBARAKI Yasuomi (YG)

Bio-environmental Control
Engineering

Environmental control in plant production

ENDO Tsuneyoshi (TT)Soil Chemistry

Influence of soil properties and irrigation water quality on soil
salinization/sodication in irrigated farmlands of arid regions

OGATA Hidehiko (TT)

Irrigation and Drainage Facilities
Engineering

Evaluation of construction materials and structural performanceof irrigation and drainage structures

KINUGASA Toshihiko (TT)Dryland Restoration andConservation Ecology

Ecology and ecophysiology of plants in arid and semi-arid
grasslands

KIMURA Reiji (TT)Boundary Layer Meteorology

Heat and water balance in arid lands

KUROSAKI Yasunori (TT)Dryland Climatology

Climate change and variability, wind erosion, dust emission in
drylands, and impacts of aeolian dust on climate

SHIMIZU Katsuyuki (TT)

Water Use and Management

Monitoring and assessment of irrigation water managementSUZUKI Kenji (YG)

Meteorology

Observational study on precipitation mechanisms anddevelopment of instruments for hydrometeor measurements

TANIGUCHI Takeshi (TT)Microbial Ecology

Soil and root microbial ecology and the application

TSUJIMOTO Hisashi (TT)

Molecular Breeding

Breeding of drought tolerant crop lines by gene and chromosome
engineering

TSUNEKAWA Atsushi (TT)Conservation Informatics

Monitoring and modeling of plant production and ecosystemchange in drylands

TSUBO Mitsuru (TT)Climate Risk Management

Dryland agrometeorology and climate-smart agriculture

NISHIHARA Eiji (TT)

Crop Production in Drylands

Construction of crop production system in areas including
drylands

HYODO Masahiro (TT)

Facilities and Environmental
Materials

Rehabilitation management of agricultural irrigation facilities
and development of environmental materials

FUJIMAKI Haruyuki (TT)Soil Conservation

Development of methods for proventing salt accumulation anderosion and remediation of degraded soils

MASUNAGA Tsugiyuki (SN)

Pedosphere EcologicalEngineering

Control and use of soil functions of environmental
protection-restoration and plant production

YAMADA Satoshi (TT)Plant Nutrition

Mechanisms of Response to Stresses of Plants in Arid Regions

YAMAMOTO Sadahiro (TT)Environmental Soil Science

Conservation of soil environment and sustainable use of
farmland in arid regions

Abbreviations; TT : Tottori University, SN : Shimane University, YG : Yamaguchi University.