Academic Year of 2024
Doctor's Program
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University
Application Guidelines
For
Special Admissions for Privately Financed International Students- April & October Admission –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 demandsof regional and international communities.
This admission also serves as application for privately financed international students who wish to apply for thefollowing special programs.
•

The Special Program for Dry land Agricultural Sciences with reference to SDGs
This Special Program in Dryland Agricultural Sciences with Reference to SDGs cultivates human resources capableof contributing to the country’s development under our educational research system from agriculture andenvironmental conservation in drylands to the regional developments based on SDGs.

•

The Special Program for Bioresource Utilization Science of Fungus and Mushroom
This Special Program is designed to provide academically advanced education to study bioresource utilization
science of fungus and mushroom and aims to contribute to the development of superior human resources, promoting
research on bioresource utilization science of fungus and mushroom.

The Admission Policy of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori
University
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University was founded in 1989 as an independent
three-year Doctoral Course at Tottori University. The participating universities are the graduate schools (Master’s
Course) of three universities, Tottori, Shimane and Yamaguchi, in the Chugoku district of Japan.
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, widely accepts people who: (1) havethe basic knowledge and scholastic ability equivalent to the master’s degree, which is required in each of the Coursesof Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Bioresource and Life Sciences, and Global Dryland Science; (2)seek to obtain higher and broader expertise and skills and more comprehensive viewpoints, and further desire toengage in original studies through the application of these skills; (3) seek to acquire high morality based on social
responsibility, contribute to the development of science and technology, and cater to the needs of the local andinternational communities; and (4) seek to obtain professional and advanced capacities to identify and solve
problems and communicate effectively and lead the research activities in the specialized area to deal with problems
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faced by the local and international communities.
In order to accept applicants who meet these requirements, the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences,
Tottori University will select candidates based on a multifaceted and comprehensive evaluation of application
documents (including research plan) and oral examination.
Each course seeks the following qualities in students:
The Course of Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental Sciences：
A strong interest in problems in production, distribution, consumption, and production environment in agriculture
and forestry, as well as in other areas related to forest and watershed environments, and the desire to solve suchproblems.
The Course of Bioresource and Life Sciences：
A strong interest in the diverse vital functions found in animals, plants, fungi, etc. and the desire to challenge advanced
bioscience studies focusing on the identification of such vital functions at molecular and genetic levels, as well as theirutilization as resources.
The Course of Global Dryland Science：
A strong interest in problems surrounding the environment and food in drylands across the world and the desire
to utilize the broad viewpoint, expertise, and professional skills in international activities.
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 2024 toenroll in classes in April 2024. Applicants should be expected to earn a master’s degree by the end of September

2024 to enroll in classes in October2024.
(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 2024 must arrive in Japan between
April 1 and 7, 2024. Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in October 2024 must arrive in Japanbetween October 1 and 7, 2024.
(7) Note:(A) Applicants must have a recommendation from the dean of the faculty (or someone higher in position) of theuniversity or institution.
(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.

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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 thedesired major supervisor to the2024:
UGSAS.
June 1 (Thu), 2023- November 24 (Fri.), 2023
Applicants who wish to enroll in classes in
October 2024:
June 1 (Thu.), 2023 – May 24 (Fri.), 2024
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
2024:
An oral exam is scheduled sometime between
July 3 (Mon.), 2023 and December 15 (Fri.),
2023.
Applicants who wish to enroll in classes in
October 2024:
An oral exam is scheduled sometime between
July 3 (Mon.), 2023 and June 28 (Fri.), 2024
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 2024.
(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.

(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)3(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) Short essay on Self-assessment (Use Form No. 8): Describe your self-assessment of the Admission Policy of theUnited Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences in about 500 words.
(11) One copy of the record showing English ability such as TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS objectively(12) Letter of Permission for Application (Use Form No. 9): If you are working for a public or private institution,
arrange a letter of permission from your supervisor at your place of employment.
(13) Copy of passport or Certificate of citizenship issued by the applicant's municipal authority.
(14) Recommendation Letter signed by someone who knows the applicant very well.
Notes:① These documents should be either typewritten or printed neatly in English or Japanese. Application forms canbe 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 thefaculty.
6. ADMISSION PROCEDURES, ETC.
(1) Period of Admission Procedures:(A) Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in April 2024 are expected to complete the procedures by
the beginning of March 2024. They will be notified of the period at a later date.
(B) Successful applicants who wish to enroll in classes in October 2024 are expected to complete the proceduresby the beginning of September 2024. 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”): This4

insurance compensates for physical injuries suffered students in their intra-curricular activities both on and off
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 roomdue to an accident involving fire or water leakage in Japan. (Unlike "Gakkensai", there is no restriction on time and place) 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
at the 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)
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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
ARAKI Hideki (Y)Agronomy

Function of plant production under environmental stresses andits agronomical application

KOBAYASHI Nobuo (S)Horticultural Breeding

Evaluation of plant genetic resources and applications forbreeding

TAKAHASHI Tadashi (Y)Crop Science

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

TAKEMURA Yoshihiro (T)Horticultural Science

Studies on the crop ecophysiology in horticultural crops

TANAKA Hiroyuki (T)Plant Genetics

Genetic and breeding studies on improving quality of wheat
flour

TSURUNAGA Yoko (S)Food Processing

Studies on manufacturing method and functionality in foodprocessing

NAKATSUKA Akira (S)Molecular Breeding of
Horticultural Crop

Molecular breeding for agriculturally useful traits in horticulture
crops

NONAMI Kazuyoshi (T)Agricultural Production
Engineering

Mechanization of agricultural work

MATSUMOTO Shingo (S)Biochemistry of Soil and Plant
Nutrition

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

MATSUMOTO Toshikazu (S)Fruit Science

Studies on fruit growing and processed foodYANO Akira (S)Bioenvironmental ElectricalEngineering

Application of electrical engineering to bioenvironmental
technologies（b） Division of Managerial Economics
TANEICHI Yutaka (Y)Agricultural Marketing

Study on distribution of agricultural products and agricultural
materials

TSUTSUI Kazunobu (T)Rural Geography

Studies on regional economy and community development in
Rural areas

MATSUDA Toshinobu (T)Economics of Consumer
Behavior

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

Studies on the relationship between farm management and ruralsociety

WAN Li (T)Marketing Information Analytics

Agricultural products distribution channels and econometricanalysis of market information

YASUNAGA Nobuyoshi(S)Regional Economics

Sustainability of farmlands, communities, and economies in lessfavored areas

YASUNOBU Kumi (T)International Agricultural
Development Studies

Agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia

（c） Division of Forest and Watershed Environmental Sciences
ISHII Masayuki (S)Regional Infrastructure
Engineering

Development of designing method for renovation of irrigation
facilities

KUBO Masako(S)Plant Ecology

Plant ecology, vegetation and conservation

NAGAMATSU Dai (T)Plant Ecology

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

FUJIMOTO Takaaki (T)Wood Physics

Analysis of wood property variation, and development of
measurement techniques

YOSHIMURA Tetsuhiko (S)Forest Utilization

Social and technological issues in forest utilization and wood
harvesting（d） Division of Environmental Bioscience
ARANISHI Futoshi(S)Conservation ecology

Conservation genetics
hydrobiosphereandevolutionary

ecologyof

UENO Makoto (S)Plant Pathology

Studies on the expression of resistance in plant-microbe
interaction

KAMINAKA Hironori (T)Plant-Microbe Interactions

Molecular mechanisms of immune response and mycorrhizal
symbiosis in plants

KARASAWA Shigenori (T)Biodiversity

Genetic diversity and species diversity of invertebrates

KIHARA Junichi (S)Plant Pathology

Photoresponces of the phytopathogenic fungi

KODAMA Motoichiro (T)Plant Pathology

Molecular mechanisms in plant-microbe interactions and plantdisease resistance

TAKEMATSU Yoko (Y)Ecological Entomology

Biodiversity and ecology of termites

MIYANAGA Ryoichi (S)Insect Ecology

Biology and management of wild bees

YAMAGUCHI Keiko (S)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 (T)Biochemical Technology ofMicroorganisms

Biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology of
microbial production

SHIMOMURA Norihiro (T)Mushroom Breeding andCultivation

Studies on breeding and cultivation of mushroom resources

SOTOME Kozue (T)Mushroom Phylogeny andTaxonomy

Phylogenetic taxonomy of mushrooms, and ecologicalresearches of wood-decaying basidiomycetes.

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

Functional analysis of enzymes and microorganisms, and theirapplication to industry

ISHIKAWA Takahiro (S)Plant Molecular Physiology

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

IWASAKI Takashi (T)Bioregulatory Chemistry

Development and screening of bioactive substances regulating
biological functionSHIOTSUKI Takahiro (S)Insect Chemical Biology andAgrobio-Regulators

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

MATSUO Yasuhiro (S)Microbial Genetics

Cell signaling and cell cycle control in fission yeast

MANO Jun'ichi (Y)Mechanisms of Environmental
Stress-tolerance in Plants

Elucidation and application of plant tolerance mechanisms
against abiotic environmental stresses

MARUTA Takanori (S)Plant Physiology

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

Molecular mechanisms of bacterial colonization to host surface

ISHIHARA Atsushi (T)Natural Product Chemistry

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

ICHIYANAGI Tsuyoshi (T)Organic Chemistry

The molecular design and functional analysis of bioactive
compounds

KAWANO Tsuyoshi (T)Bioorganic Chemistry

Regulation of diapause, metabolism
corresponding to the growth environment

SHIMIZU Hidehisa (S)Nutritional Pathophysiology

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

TAMURA Jun-ichi (T)Organic Chemistry

Chemical
synthesisofbioactive
isolation/characterization of natural glycans

MUROTA Kaeko (S)Bioavailability and Food
Function

Bioavailability and physiological function of lipophilic foodfactors

YABUTA Yukinori (T)Nutritional Science

Studies on the function of antioxidant vitamins and oxidative
stress response

YAMAMOTO Tatsuyuki (S)Bio-molecular Spectroscopy

Spectroscopic studies on life science and medical applications

andlongevity

glycansand

３．THE COURSE OF GLOBAL DRYLAND SCIENCE（a） Division of Global Dryland Science
AKASHI Kinya (T)Molecular and Cellular Biology

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

AYEHU Nigussie Haregeweyn (T)Land Management

Watershed processes monitoring, modeling and management

AN Ping (T)Plant Eco-Physiology

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

ICHINOHE Toshiyoshi (S)Livestock Feeding

Evaluation of ruminants production system

INOSAKO Koji (T)Soil and Water Management

Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of soil and water
environment

IBARAKI Yasuomi (Y)Bio-environmental Control
Engineering

Environmental control in plant production

ENDO Tsuneyoshi (T)Soil Chemistry

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

OGATA Hidehiko (T)Irrigation and Drainage Facilities
Engineering

Evaluation of construction materials and structural performanceof irrigation and drainage structures

KISHII Masahiro (T)*

Plant Genetic Resource
Development

Research and utilization of plant genetic resources with highenvironmental tolerance for breeding

KINUGASA Toshihiko (T)Dryland Restoration andConservation Ecology

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

KIMURA Reiji (T)Boundary Layer Meteorology

Heat and water balance in arid lands

KUROSAKI Yasunori (T)Dryland Climatology

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

SHIMIZU Katsuyuki (T)Water Use and Management

Monitoring and assessment of irrigation water managementSUZUKI Kenji (Y)Meteorology

Observational study on precipitation mechanisms anddevelopment of instruments for hydrometeor measurements

TAGAWA Kotaro (T)Renewable Energy
Engineering

Technological development and optimal design of renewableenergy systems and components

TANIGUCHI Takeshi (T)Microbial Ecology

Soil and root microbial ecology and the application

TSUNEKAWA Atsushi (T)Conservation Informatics

Monitoring and modeling of plant production and ecosystemchange in drylands

TSUBO Mitsuru (T)Climate Risk Management

Dryland agrometeorology and climate-smart agriculture

TODERICH Kristina Nikolaevna(T)

Dryland Salinity and Landscape
Restoration

Salinization in drylands and restoration of affected landscapeusing halophytes and non-conventional crops

NISHIHARA Eiji (T)Crop Production in Drylands

Construction of crop production system in areas including
drylands

HYODO Masahiro (T)Facilities and Environmental
Materials

Rehabilitation management of agricultural irrigation facilities
and development of environmental materials

FUJIMAKI Haruyuki (T)Soil Conservation

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

MASUNAGA Tsugiyuki (S)Pedosphere EcologicalEngineering

Control and use of soil functions of environmental protectionrestoration and plant production

YAMADA Satoshi (T)Plant Nutrition

Mechanisms of Response to Stresses of Plants in Arid Regions

YAMAMOTO Sadahiro (T)Environmental Soil Science

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

Abbreviations; T : Tottori University,＊

S : Shimane University, Y : Yamaguchi University.

; Cooperation with Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences