Application Guidebook 2024

Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

Public Finance Program
Tax CoursePhoto : Masao Nishikawa.

C o nte n ts
1

Program Description1

2

About GRIPS

11

3

Student Support

13

4

Admissions

15

5

Alumni16

Address and Contact Information

1

Program Description
Public Finance Program (Tax Course)

Overview and Program Objectives
Since 1997, GRIPS the Tax Course in the Public Finance program at GRIPS has been offering
master’s degree to nurture promising tax officials from developing countries. The program
was established as part of the Partnership Programs supported by the Joint Japan/WorldBank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), which awards scholarships to mid-career
professionals in the field of tax policy and administration.
The primar y objective of the Public Finance Program is to provide scholars with thetheoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for excelling as leaders in the field ofcustoms and taxation. The program consists of two segments: an academic segment sharedby tax and customs scholars, and a practicum segment dedicated to either tax or customs,
depending on the scholar's chosen stream.

Public Finance Program
Tax Course

Customs Course

Degree offered : Master of Public FinanceAcademic Segment
The academic segment provides a rigorous economics-oriented education that is aimed at thedevelopment of a broad understanding of the theoretical, empirical, and institutional aspectsof customs/tax policy implementation and administration, within the context of developing
countries’ economic and social development. The academic segment culminates in the writingof a master’s thesis facilitated by a course through which students develop their thesis with
the input of academic supervisors and their peers, in which they have several opportunities topresent their research.

Practicum Segment
The practicum segment of the Tax Course is administeredby the faculty of the National Tax College (NTC), which
is a training institution of the National Tax Agency (NTA)of the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with theofficials at the NTA. It involves weekly workshops andlectures; field trips to regional taxation bureaus; and the
preparation of research papers. These experiences give
students opportunities to enhance their learning onpractical, administrative, legal, and institutional issues, thus
integrating practical experience with their formal learning.

Program Description01

Outline of the Curriculum
One academic year at GRIPS is composed of four terms: fall (16 weeks), winter (8 weeks),spring (16 weeks), and summer (8 weeks).

Formal Academic Program
The formal academic segment of the master’s program begins in October. It starts with focused
instruction in the foundational skills of micro - and macroeconomics, as well as quantitative
analysis. It then moves on to a range of applied topics that help students in understanding how
to design, implement, and evaluate public policies -- tax policy in particular -- in accordance with
development strategies. Topics include public finance, international economics, development
economics, human resource management, and tax laws. Refer to the list of course offerings andthe flow chart for the 2023-2024 on the following pages.
In addition to the required and strongly recommended elective courses, students can choose
freely throughout the year from any of the extensive list of courses offered at GRIPS. Alongwith economics courses, GRIPS also offers numerous courses in various academic areas thatare conducted in English. These range from public administration, political science, international
relations, mathematical science, data science and social engineering, to a diverse range ofinterdisciplinary fields. Students can also choose to enroll in the Japanese language courses
offered throughout the year at various levels of proficiency, although credits earned in thesecourses cannot count towards the degree.

02

Program Description

Practicum Program
The practicum, which starts in October and continues until the end of June, involves lectures andworkshops that instruct students on the Japanese tax system, tax law, and tax administration,
as well as international taxation and tax treaty. It also involves several visits to regional taxation
bureaus, tax offices, and tax counsel offices, where students observe actual national tax services
and learn about Japan’s national tax system and administration. In addition, with the assistance andguidance of NTC faculty, students prepare research papers to analyze issues/problems faced by the
tax administration of their respective home countries.
Master's Thesis
Each scholar is required to produce a policy paper as their master's thesis, focusing on a topic
related to public finance and taxation with an emphasis on policy discussion. As part of thisprocess, scholars must enroll in the "Thesis seminar," which is a mandatory course providing
personal instruction in a supportive environment. During the seminar, scholars receive guidancefrom a faculty advisor and have multiple opportunities to present both their ongoing andcompleted research papers. Additionally, scholars are expected to participate in courses offeredby the GRIPS Center for Professional Communication, which focus on enhancing their academic
writing skills.

Program Description

03

Course Offerings for 2023 - 2024

I

Course No.

Course Name

Term

CreditPFP2520E

International Taxation of Japan

Fall

2

PFP5010E

Practicum at the National Tax Agency

Fall through Spring (Session I)

8

ECO1000EB

Microeconomics I

Fall (Session I)

2

Required

ECO3102E

Public Finance I

Winter2

Courses

ECO4120E

Thesis Seminar

Fall through Summer

4

HighlyRecommended

III
Elective
Courses

ECO4130E

Tutorial (PF)

Fall

1

GEN5020E

The World and the SDGs

Fall

1
2

ECO1060EA

Macroeconomics I

Fall (Session I)

ECO2000EB

Microeconomics II

Fall (Session II)

2

ECO2020EB

Government and Market

Winter2

ECO2720EB

Introduction to Applied Econometrics

Fall

2

ECO3110E

Fiscal Reform in Japan

Fall

2

ECO3130E

Economics of Tax Policy

Winter2

ECO3160E

Reform of Economic Policy in Japan

Spring2
2

ECO3400E

International Trade

Spring (Session I)

ECO3840EB

Development Economics

Winter2

PAD2560E

Human Resources Management

Spring2

PFP2500E

Multilateral Trading System and Customs Administration

Winter through Spring

2

ECO1600E

Monetary Economics (Money and Banking)

Fall

2

ECO2060EA

Macroeconomics II

Fall (Session II)

2

ECO2760E

Applied Time Series Analysis for Macroeconomics

Winter2

ECO2770E

Applied Econometrics

Winter2

ECO2780E

Applied Econometrics Practice

Winter

2
2

ECO3000E

Mathematics for Economic Analysis

Fall

ECO3104E

Political Economy

Spring2

ECO3200E

Economics of Law

Spring2

ECO3710ETime Series Analysis

Spring (Session I)

2

ECO3860E

Development History of Asia: Policy, Market and Technology

Spring2

PAD2670E

Public Expenditure Management

TBA

2

MOR1030E

Introduction to Data Science

Fall(Session l)

2

Data Science in Practice

Fall (Session II)

2

MOR2020E*Selected Topics in Policy Studies I - IV
Courses not listed in this table
X**Courses offered by the Center for Professional Communication

Others
Notes:

1. Graduation Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 34 credits and meet the following requirements:				(a) Tax students must complete the following courses: PFP2520E, PFP5010E, ECO1000EB, ECO3102E, ECO4120E, ECO4130E and GEN5020E from Category I.
(b) Customs students must complete the following courses: PFP5110E, PFP5120E, PFP5130E, PFP5210E, ECO1000EB, ECO3102E, ECO4120E, ECO4130E and GEN5020E from Category I.
2. Courses offered in the Program are subject to change.									3. Students cannot take courses conducted in Japanese without Director's approval. If a student takes the same course in both English and Japanese, only one course(2 credits) will count toward the degree.
4. *Course Number, Instructor, and Term for these courses will be announced later when the course is offered.						5. **Credits earned in these courses cannot count toward the degree.

Degree Requirements
The curriculum is comprised of two course categories: required courses and elective courses. In the elective courses, we haveidentified 11 courses that are highly recommended.
● Students in the Tax Course must complete a minimum of 34 credits, 20 of which are made up of required courses.
● Besides the minimum credit requirements stated above, students must complete and obtain approval for a master's thesis.
●

04

Program Description

Flow Chart for Core and Other Major Elective Courses
Fall

Microeconomics 1 (Fall 1)

WinterSpringPublic Finance 1

Political Economy

Government and Market

Economics of Law

Microeconomics 2 (Fall 2)

Mathematics for Economic Analysis

Development Economics
Economics of Tax Policy

Macroeconomics 1 (Fall 1)

Macroeconomics 2 (Fall 2)International Trade (Spring 1)
Finance and Economic Growth

Monetary Economics (Money and Banking)Applied Econometrics

Introduction to Applied Econometrics
Introduction to Data Science (Fall 1)

Time Series Analysis (Spring 1)

Applied Econometrics PracticeData Science in Practice (Fall 2)

Applied Time Series

Public Expenditure Management

Fiscal Reform in Japan

Reform of Economic Policy in Japan

Local Government System and Finance

Human Resources Management

The World and the SDGs

Practicum at the National Tax Agency**
International Taxation of Japan

Other Electives
Thesis Seminar (Fall - Summer)
Tutorial

indicates subjects that are required.

indicates subjects that are strongly recommended

Program Description

05

Brief Core Course Descriptions (Academic Segment)
Followings are for category I and Highly Recommended Courses only. For other courses, see
http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/information/syllabus/
Public Finance I
This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of how governments manage their financesand make economic decisions that impact the well-being of their citizens. Public finance explores
the intricacies of government revenue, expenditure, and debt, shedding light on the complex
mechanisms that shape fiscal policies. The course will also discuss the economic implications ofgovernment interventions as well as its crucial role in economic growth and welfare.
The World and the SDGs
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in
September 2015 present challenges that we all have to face, both globally and locally. This course,
mandatory for all GRIPS students, offers an introductory overview of the state of the world in the
21st century through an examination of the historical development of the world system within the
global eco-geological setting, and provides basic knowledge of the social, economic, political andecological issues that are now being targeted by the SDGs. Throughout their participation in thiscourse, the students are expected to think and re-think their major research focus at GRIPS within
the wide perspective embodied in the SDGs.
Microeconomics I
This is an introductory course on microeconomics. It covers basic economic assumptions and concepts
used to define behaviors of consumers and producers in the market. The course consists of three parts:
consumer theory, producer theory and the equilibrium in a competitive market. In the consumer theory,
preference, utility, budget constraints, utility maximization and demand curves will be introduced. In the
producer theory, production and cost functions, profit maximization, and supply curves will be discussed.
Finally, the concept and the determination of the equilibrium will be discussed.
Microeconomics II
Based on certain understanding of materials taught in Microeconomics I, this course expands
the basic framework. This course covers various market structure such as monopoly, oligopoly,and monopsony using the framework of game theory. Then course also introduces several cases
where the market fails to achieve efficiency and how to address those market failures.
Macroeconomics I
This is a first course in the macroeconomics sequence. The course will cover broad topics relating
to major macroeconomic variables; e.g. money supply, inflation, unemployment, economic growth.
Given that these variables can be changed over time and different across countries, we will use
simple macroeconomic models to illustrate the underlying mechanism behind the change anddifference. The focus of this course is on the long-run equilibrium.

06

Program Description

Macroeconomics II
This is the second course in the macroeconomics sequence. It will cover broad topics, mostly
related to short-run economic behavior.
Introduction to Applied Econometrics
This course helps students to understand applied econometric methods and to foster the skills needed
to plan and execute their own empirical projects in economics. Topics include ordinary least squares
estimation, panel data and fixed effects estimation, instrument variable estimation, difference-indifferences, and regression assessment. We study many examples and STATA package for actual
estimation and application.
Government and Market
The objective of this course is to acquire an in-depth understanding of the economic roles ofgovernment in a modern market-based society. We seek to understand what governments
should do (or should not do), what should be left to the market and to private individuals, andwhat would be the consequences of government policies. This course will help you to apply theprinciples and knowledge of microeconomics to current policy issues.
Fiscal Reform in JapanThe course discusses the current problems with Japan’s public finance policy and the necessaryreforms to address them. Japan’s public finance faces several important issues such as hugegovernment debt and rapid population aging, The course will discuss a fiscal consolidation plan,
implementation of social security reform as well as medical care system and pension system.
Reform of Economic Policy in Japan
This course covers issues related to the formulation of economic policy. The main topics
discussed include the current state of the Japanese economy and its weaknesses. Japan’s
economy has three major weaknesses: lagging in globalization, low productivity in the service
sector, and inflexibility in the labor market. Knowledge of Japan’s economic structural reforms
towards increased productivity and labor market reform will be useful to many Asian countries
which are experiencing or will experience rapid population ageing. Also, under discussion will be
the role of government from the view point of economic growth.
International Trade
This course introduces the basic concepts, tools and information required for an understandingof the flow of goods across countries, i.e.
international trade. We will investigate whynations trade, what they trade, and who gains
from international trade. We will also analyze
countries' motives for regulating international
trade and the effect of regulatory policies on
economic welfare.

Program Description

07

Development Economics
This course aims to familiarize students with development problems and issues that are
fundamental to developing countries.
Human Resources Management
Knowledge of Human Resource Management (HRM) has become critically important for the
managers of public sector organizations. By working within a framework of academic analysis
and through the practical experience of the instructor, students are expected to acquire
managerial expertise and a practical sense of how public sector organizations are reformed.
Economics of Tax Policy
In this course, the students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the principles of taxationand the economics tools for analyzing tax systems and policy. In particular, students will gain
hands-on experience conducting academic research using the econometric technique learned
during the program. The overall goal of this course is that the students will be able to apply theseprinciples, tools, and skills to work with current tax policy issues and fundamental policy reform
options.
Political Economy
This course reviews the recent development in the literature on political economy, by introducing
both theoretical and empirical studies on the frontier of the literature. The goal of the course isto develop students’ ability to identify interesting and important questions in the related applied
economic fields and to present these ideas effectively.

Brief Core Course Descriptions (Practicum Segment)International Taxation of Japan
Governmental agencies take actions on people in general and some of them are dissatisfied withthem. They believe that those actions are unjust or unlawful and dispute them in administrative
review organs and courts. In the field of taxation, such a situation arises often because many
taxpayers are aggrieved over the tax reassessments made on their returns. While it is true that tax
reassessments are made more often on some issues than others.
In this class, we try to take a look at various causes for such disputes and make cross-country comparisons.
Such disputes often arise because taxpayers try to avoid tax and there is opacity in the application scope of
relevant tax provisions. Also, the class looks into how various disputes between people and the government
are handled/resolved in various countries and how those differences among countries affect the number ofdisputes and the costs on disputants while much focus is to be on tax disputes.
Practicum at the National Tax Agency
This course comprises of lectures/workshops that are offered weekly from fall throughspring. The sample schedule of this course is listed below. The aim of this course is toprovide tax officials with knowledge on Japanese tax systems; tax law (concerning income
tax and corporation tax etc.); and administration (tax examination, taxpayer service, revenue
management and collection); so that they may contribute to the improvement of tax

08

Program Description

administration in their respective countries. NTA officials and NTC faculty give lectures onpractical aspects of Japanese tax administration. Students will visit the Regional Taxation Bureau,Tax Office, Tax Counsel Office, etc., to broaden the knowledge they acquire in the classroom.
Students are also assigned a research paper that analyzes issues/problems faced by their homecountry’s tax administration, with assistance and guidance from the NTC faculty. Students arethus strongly recommended to bring with them any relevant data/research materials from home.

Sample Schedule of Practicum at the NTA
Oct-23Nov

Dec

Jan-24

Feb

Mar

Apr

Date

AM (10:15-11:45)

PM (13:00-14:30 / 14:45-16:15)

23

Mon

Opening Ceremony
Program Orientation

Country Report Presentation (1)(2)

30

Mon

Country Report Presentation (3)Research Paper Guidance (1)(2)

6

MonJapanese Tax System (1)Japanese Tax System (2)(3)

13

Mon

Japanese Tax System (4)Japanese Tax Administration (1)(2)

20

Mon

Taxpayer Service(1)【Study Visit】
Call Center (Tax Enquiries)(1)

27

Mon

Taxpayer Service(2)【Study Visit】
Tax Education Room (1)4Mon

Verification (1)Verification (2)Research Paper Guidance (3)

11

Mon

Verification (3)【Study Visit】
Japan Federation of CPTAs' Associations (1)

18

Mon

Verification (4)【Study Visit】
Regional Taxation Bureau (1)

15

Mon

10:00-12:30
Human Resource Management (1)(2)

Research Paper Guidance (4)(5)

22

Mon

Tax Debt Collection (1)

Spare

29

Mon

Tax Debt Collection (2)【Study Visit】
Call Center (Tax Debt Collection)(1)5

Mon

Research Paper Guidance (6)[Progress Report]

Research Paper Guidance (7)(8)[Progress Report]

19

Mon

International Taxation (1)【Study Visit】
Local Tax Authority (1)

26

Mon

International Taxation (2)International Taxation (3) (4)4Mon

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (1)(2)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (3)(4)5

Tue

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture)(5)(6)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (7)(8)6

Wed

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture)(9)(10)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (11)(12)7

Thu

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (13)(14)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (15)(16)8Fri

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (17)(18)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Intensive Lecture) (19)(20)

11

Mon

10:00-12:30
ICT System (1)(2)

Research Paper Guidance (9)(10)

18

Mon

Staff Training (1)Staff Training (2)【Study Visit】
National Tax College Wako Campus (1)

25

Mon

1

Mon

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Practice Negotiation) (1)(2)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Practice Negotiation) (3)(4)8

Mon

10:00-12:30
Tax Treaty (Practice Negotiation)(5)(6)

13:30-16:00
Tax Treaty (Practice Negotiation) (7)(8)

15

Mon

Research Paper Presentation (1)(2)

Research Paper Presentation (3)(4)Tue

Research Paper Presentation (5)Evaluation Meeting

16
Jun

10

Mon

Spare

Spare
Closing Ceremony
Reception[Note] The Schedule is subject to change.
NTA : National Tax Agency
NTC : National Tax College

Program Description09

Academic Calendar for 2023-2024
Term

Month

Fall

OCTOBERNOVEMBER

DECEMBERJANUARY

WinterFEBRUARY

MARCH

Spring

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

Summer

AUGUSTSEPTEMBER

FRI

SAT

Note

2

3

4

5

6

7

Oct. 3 - 4 Entrance Guidance and Orientation

SUN MON TUE WED THU

1
8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Oct. 3 - 17 Registration for Fall Term & Fall (Session I)

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Oct. 6 Classes for Fall Term & Fall (Session I) begin

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Oct. 18 - 24 Withdrawal for Fall Term & Fall (Session I)

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

Nov. 29 - Dec. 12

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Dec. 1 Classes for Fall (Session II) begin

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Dec. 13 - 15 Withdrawal for Fall (Session II)

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

Registration for Fall (Session II)

Dec. 29 - Jan. 3 New Year holidays

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

[*Interterm Period: Jan. 31 - Feb. 1]

28

29

30

*31

*1

2

3

Jan. 31 - Feb. 13 Registration for Winter Term

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Feb. 2 Classes for Winter Term begin

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

*1

*2

*3

4

5

6

[*Interterm Period: Apr. 1-3]

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Apr. 2 Entrance Guidance for domestic programs

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Apr. 2 - 16

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

Apr. 4 Classes for Spring Term & Spring (Session I) begin

28

29

30

1

2

3

4

Apr. 17 - 23

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Apr. 26 Grade release (Winter Term)

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Jun. 3 - 12 Registration for Spring (Session II)

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Jun. 4 Classes for Spring (Session II) begin

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Jun. 13 - 17 Withdrawal for Spring (Session II)

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Feb. 28 Grade release (Fall Term)

Mar. 19 Graduation Ceremony for domestic programs

Registration for Spring Term & Spring (Session I)
Withdrawal for Spring Term & Spring (Session I)

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

*30

*31

*1

*2

3

[*Interterm Period: Jul. 30 - Aug. 2]

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Aug. 1 - 13 Registration for Summer Term

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Aug. 5 Classes for Summer Term begin

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Aug. 28 Grade release (Spring & Summer Terms)
Sep. 11 Graduation Ceremony

Course Registration (Please note that schedules are subject to change.)
Registration

10

Program Description

Withdrawal

No class (Sundays, National Holidays, and New Year Holidays)

2 About GRIPS
Message from the Dean
GRIPS was founded in 1997 as a stand-alone national graduate university focusing on policy
studies. Future policy leaders and policy researchers from around the world gather here, making
GRIPS an international hub for public policy research and education.
We offer Master’s and Doctoral programs covering a broad range of areas, from economics,
political science, public administration, and international relations to social engineering andmathematical science, and we encourage students and faculty to engage in interdisciplinary
research.
GRIPS has a very international character in every respect, with more than two thirds of ourstudents coming from overseas, from over 110 nations to date. Our faculty is also international
and includes academics, public officials, and executives from private companies. The diverse
backgrounds of our faculty create an ideal environment for students pursuing policy studies.
Reflecting the diverse backgrounds of our students and faculty, GRIPS aspires for crossfertilization of academic disciplines and their application to real policy making and policy analysis.
We welcome young people from all over the world to come to GRIPS to learn
more about Japan and to engage in productive communication with each other.
GRIPS’ mission is to train and educate young, talented people to become
national leaders with a genuine sense of social responsibility.
The Public Finance Program is an integral part of this mission. I hope you will
join us.
Dean and Vice President

Nobuhiro Hosoe

About GRIPS

11

GRIPS at a glance
The educational mandate of GRIPS is to cultivate high-level policy professionals and researchers.
Our degree programs are designed to train students to envision a wide range of solutions tovarious policy issues.

OUR MISSION

●
●

●
●

STUDENT LIFE

●
●
●

●
●

ACADEMIC●●●●

Cultivate future leaders in policymaking
Serve as an international center for policy research
Numerous scholarships available
Spacious campus located in the heart of Tokyo (Roppongi)
Modern & comfortable dormitories
Global community and network (about 60 countries)
Field trips and various cultural programs offered
1- and 2-year master’s programs
Integrated 5-year doctorate programs
Various doctorate programsDistinguished faculty
Classes taught fully in English
Policy-making career tracks(government official, private sector, international organizations, academia, etc.)

FUTURE CAREERS●

Active alumni for international networking

Programs offerd at GRIPS for international students
For details, visit: http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/

Brief History of GRIPS
1977 G raduate School of Policy Science (GSPS) established at Saitama University; thepredecessor of GRIPS
1997 National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) established1999 Relocated to Wakamatsu-cho campus in Tokyo (Shinjuku)
2005 Relocated to current campus in Roppongi

12

About GRIPS

3 Student Support
One unique aspect of GRIPS is our extensive support system for assisting students in their dailyliving. We consider this aspect of your lives to be every bit as important as your academic life,
especially for foreign scholars unfamiliar with Japan. As international students have comprised,on average, about 60% of the GRIPS student body over the last 20 years, we have developed
comprehensive services to assist students in their day-to-day living.
The Student Office organizes orientation programs for incoming students and assists arriving
international students in getting organized and settled in Japan. It also organizes a number ofsocial events and activities, including field trips and concerts. The Student Office also functions
as a hub to promote meaningful interaction and understanding between Japanese and foreign
nationals.

Faculty
GRIPS boasts a nearly 200 member faculty from a variety of backgrounds. Many of them holddoctorate degree from outside of Japan, and many have served as central and local government
officials, diplomats, bankers or business executives. This enables an effective combination ofrigorous academic courses complemented by professional expertise and experience.
For more on our faculty members, please see http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/about/directory/

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in the Tokyo International Exchange Center (TIEC), operated by
the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), in GRIPS International House, or in private
apartments recommended by the GRIPS Student Office.

Tokyo Academic Park Residence Halls
In the bayside area, built in 2001 by the
Ministr y of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT)
Room Types: Single, Couple, Family

GRIPS International House I
In Nakano, built in 2009
Room Types: Single, Couple

GRIPS International House II
In Nakano, built in 2009
Room Types: Single, Couple

Student Support13

Resources

Facilities

Center for Professional Communication

Student Rooms and IT Support CenterT h e m i s s i o n o f t h e C e n t e r f o r P r o fe s s i o n a lCommunication is to support GRIPS students,
faculty, and staff in developing effective professional
communication skills and competencies needed tocommunicate productively in an environment of multiple
stakeholders. To this end, we offer a range of instruction
and support in fundamental areas of professional
communication in English and Japanese, including policy
paper writing, professional speaking, grant proposal
writing, and digital communications. We also provide
opportunities for cultural and academic exchanges
through a self-access learning center, organize seminars
and special events related to all aspects of professional
communication, andprepare customized
materials for students
and staff on academic
and professional writing
and language learning.

Health Services Center
In-house health clinic
Nurse on duty daily, doctor available several days a
week
● 
Provides medical advice, basic medical examinations● Will refer to an appropriate hospital or specialist whennecessary●●

Library
Extensive collection of publications in the field of policy
studies, collected from around the world● Collection contains over 190,000 volumes, includingreference books, statistical collections, working
papers, and government documents● Large collections of periodicals that include more than
1 2, 0 0 0 j o u r n a l s ,many of which areavailable online● Well-trained staff are
equipped to respondto research-related
requests●

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Each student is provided with a study space, accessible
24 hours a day● A computer help desk is open to all students duringregular
working hours●

Center for Data Science

Gym

CDS is conveniently located in room C505 on the 5th
floor at the end of the corridor that opens onto lecturerooms A-H. The main missions of CDS are: (1) To provide
follow-up on data science-related classes; (2) To provide
consultations for students and researchers who use data
science in their research; (3) To provide training sessions in
the use of software for data science, including R language
and Stata, and in the mathematics necessary for a
sufficiently deep understanding of the theoretical aspectsof data science; (4) To promote joint research relating todata science within
and outside GRIPS;
and to hold related
symposiums; and (5)To develop GRIPS's
data archives.

●

Student Support

Running machines and training equipment
Showers
and washing machines● Free use by students, faculty, and staff●

Photo : Masao Nishikawa.

Tea Ceremony room
Prayer room

4 Admissions
In 1987, the World Bank, in collaboration with the government of Japan, launched the WorldBank Graduate Scholarship Program, which is currently referred to as JJ/WBGSP. The Tax Course
within the GRIPS Public Finance Program has received support from this program and has
been recognized as a Participating Program of JJ/WBGSP ever since. Annually, the program
grants scholarships to individuals from eligible developing countries, enabling them to pursue
graduate studies at GRIPS. Additionally, the program may consider applicants who have secured
alternative funding sources, such as scholarships provided by their home countries.

Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply for GRIPS, please carefully read the full description of eligibility criteria on the
Public Finance Program web page at http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/
finance/.
Details of the J J / WBGSP scholarship are also available on that page.
Irrespective of the funding source, to be eligible for admission to the Public Finance Program (Tax
Course), the applicant must meet the following criteria:
1. Have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized, accredited university of thehighest standard.
2. Be proficient in English (admission priority will be given to applicants who have a TOEFL iBTscore of 79 or higher, or an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or higher).
3. Be a full-time government tax official from a developing country.
4. Have at least 3 years’ work experience March 3, 2023 in tax policy and administration and able
to show that such work experience is related to development-related topics indicated by theWorld Bank.
5. Show promise of continuing his/her career in tax policy and administration.

For Those Seeking a JJ/WBGSP Partner Program Scholarship
Those seeking a JJ/WBGSP Partner Program scholarship must first apply for admission to GRIPS.
GRIPS will make a short list of candidates and send it to the World Bank for the final selection.
The short listed-candidates will be required to submit online applications directly to the World Bank.
Additional Criteria for JJ/WBGSP Scholarship

Scholarship Coverage

Be a national of a World Bank member country that iseligible to receive Bank financing● Have never before received any scholarship funding
towards a graduate degree or its equivalent fromsources funded by the government of Japan●

Monthly stipend: JPY306,910●

Application fee, admission fee, and tuition●

An economy-class air ticket from your home country toJapan upon enrollment at GRIPS and an economy-class air
ticket from Japan to your home country upon completionof your studies at GRIPS● Travel allowance: USD500 equivalent upon arrival, USD500
equivalent upon completion of your study●

For full description, please refer to the Public Finance Program web page at

http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/finance/
JICA scholarship is also available

How to Apply
We accept applications for the Public Finance Program (Tax Course) online at the GRIPS website.
For details, please refer to the Admissions web page at
http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/admissions/index/

Admissions

15

5 Alumni
One of the greatest resources and joys of studying at GRIPS is the diversity of the student
community. The connections you make at GRIPS are a valuable part of your degree. The GRIPS
Alumni Network will ensure they are lifetime bonds by keeping you in touch with fellow alumni
and the school.
As a GRIPS graduate, you join an impressive network of around 5,400 alumni who are actively
shaping future policies in more than 115 countries around the world. We offer a variety of ways
to remain engaged with GRIPS and strengthen your ties with fellow alumni. These include
alumni reunions, seminars, a searchable alumni directory and online networking opportunities
utilizing social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Alumni of the Public Finance Program (Tax Course)
Since its launch in 1997, one hundred and twenty four (124) students have graduated from the
Public Finance Program's Tax Course with a Master's degree (as of September 2023). All were
mid-career tax officials when first admitted into the program. The majority of JJ/WBGSP scholars
who graduate return to their home countries and pursue careers in tax administration: As of
September 2023, most of our graduates are still working in tax-related government agencies intheir home countries.

16

AlumniVoices of the Alumni

Usman Asghar (Pakistan, 2012)
Position: Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue
Affiliation: Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
The Public Finance Program at GRIPS has been thoughtfully structured to seamlessly blend fundamental theoreticalconcepts and principles of public economics with practical insights from the tax department of a developed country,
namely Japan. Participants hailing from developing countries not only gain the ability to assess the shortcomings in theirtaxation systems, but their enriched knowledge also empowers them to pinpoint specific deficiencies within their tax
departments, such as institutional weaknesses, outdated tax policies, misaligned tax structures, and insufficient direct
taxes, among other issues. The program, including courses like 'International Taxation of Japan,' also equips participants toconfront the evolving challenges of taxation in today's interconnected global economy.
In addition to the rigorous academic curriculum at GRIPS, students benefit immensely from engaging interactions with
their peers from around the world. In totality, studying at GRIPS, a premier Public Policy institution in Asia located inTokyo—a dynamic economic center that embodies rich cultural diversity—undoubtedly promises to be an unforgettable
and rewarding experience for those fortunate enough to secure admission to the Public Finance Program.

Tandekile Mkiwa (Zimbabwe, 2016)
Position: Revenue Officer
Affiliation: Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
Studying at GRIPS was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for which I am still immensely grateful. The institute fosteredprofessionalism throughout the program, laying a strong academic foundation for me. Particularly impactful was thePracticum at the National Tax College (NTC), which offered a comprehensive blend of theoretical and practical learning,alongside economics-related courses.
Through the NTC Practicum, I gained insights into the administrative operations of various tax agencies, tackled challenges
encountered in tax work, and honed problem-solving skills. Among the courses I relished were Development Economics,
Mathematics for Economic Analysis, and Strategy for Economic Development, as well as the NTC Practicum—particularly
the hands-on experience with tax treaties, which I found most engaging. The exploration of international taxation opened
up new perspectives for me, serving as an enlightening revelation.
Successful completion of the program necessitates dedication and active participation. Beyond its educational facets,
GRIPS champions cultural diversity. The institute boasts a classic ambiance, abundant educational resources, accomplishedprofessors, and a responsive administrative staff, including a functional clinic.

Dy Channthy (Cambodia, 2018)
Current Position: Deputy Bureau Chief of Immovable Property Tax Office
Affiliation: Deputy Bureau Chief of International Tax Law Office
GRIPS has empowered me to emerge as a potential leader within my organization, the General Department of Taxation. Since
graduating from GRIPS, I have gained the confidence to contribute as a policymaker within my organization. Beyond impartingknowledge and skills, GRIPS has offered me a sense of belonging to a supportive community, akin to a warm family.
To all my colleagues aspiring to become leaders within their respective organizations, I wholeheartedly recommend
considering GRIPS as a pathway to achieve their goals. Let's stay connected and continue our journey toward
professional growth.

Najibullah Nor Isak (Somalia, 2020)
Current Position: Fiscal Economist
Affiliation: Ministry of Finance, Somalia
The National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies (GRIPS) stands as a remarkable institution where high-quality education
seamlessly merges with practical experience. The caliber of professors surpassed my expectations; they encompassed
academics who could harness your potential, individuals with technical and administrative prowess in the public sector,
and even those who had played significant roles in shaping policy decisions in Japan, including former ministers. Learningfrom such a diverse and accomplished faculty was truly exceptional.
Furthermore, I was impressed by three key aspects: (1) the abundant resources available at GRIPS, including its people,
well-designed campus facilities, and library, (2) the enriching practicum at the National Tax College, and (3) the experienceof navigating the Tokyo Tax Library while crafting policy papers.
These collective experiences have equipped me to contribute effectively to the modernization journey of Somalia's tax
system, spanning aspects of revenue administration and the reformation of tax laws. Moreover, this education has primed
me to spearhead other pivotal components of fiscal policy evaluation, tax policy analysis, revenue forecasting for budget
purposes, and at times, representing the Ministry of Finance in engagements with the Parliamentary Financial Committee.

Alumni17

Address and Contact Information

Getting to GRIPS

Access RouteTokyo Metro Hibiya LineThe GRIPS building is located in
the center of Tokyo,conveniently
accessible by public transport.
Both Nogizaka Station on the
Chiyoda Line and Roppongi
Station on the Oedo and Hibiya
Lines are within 10 minutes
walking distance.

Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line

AoyamaCemetery Park

Toei Oedo Line

Tokyo Metro
Chiyoda Line
Nogizaka Sta.

Hinokicho ParkTokyo Midtown
The National
Art Center,Tokyo
Science Councilof Japan

Ryudocho
Bijutsukan Dori

Main
Gate
South
Gate

Roppongi
TunnelToei Oedo Line
Roppongi Sta.

GRIPS

Seijoki DoriTokyo Metro
Hibiya Line
Roppongi Sta.
t

ree

i St

ong

p
Rop

Roppongi Hills

Roppongi Hills

JR Yamanote Line

NaritaAirportNishi-Nippori
Nippori

Aoto

Keisei Line

Oshiage
Keisei Ueno

Nakano
JR Chuo/Sobu Line

Shinjuku
Yoyogi-Uehara

Ochanomizu

YoyogiOdakyu Line

Oedo Line

NogizakaTokyo

Chiyoda Line

Kasumigaseki★
Ebisu
KeikyuKuko Line

Shinbashi

Keikyu Line
Keikyu-Kamata

ShinagawaTokyo Monorail

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)3-6439-6000 Fax: +81-(0)3-6439-6010
http://www.grips.ac.jp

Admissions Officeadmissions@grips.ac.jp

Higashi-Ginza

Hibiya Line

Hamamatsucho
Sengakuji

To Yokohama
HanedaAirportHibiyaRoppongi

To Yokohama

JR Narita
Express

Akihabara

Shiodome
Yurikamome Line
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal