October 2024 Admission

Hiroshima City University
Graduate School of
Peace Studies
Master’s Degree Program
Application Guidelines
Special Entrance Examination
for International Students

HCU designated forms (download separately)• Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae

Issued: April 2024

• Letter of Recommendation 1 and 2

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1.

Admissions policy
Hiroshima City University (HCU) develops professionals having sensitivity and passion toward seeking the truth,
respecting diverse cultures and values, and wishing for lasting world peace. HCU also aims to train students tobecome professionals who have the ability to contribute to both the local and global communities, with a wideranging knowledge and solid expertise, as well as a strong sense of ethics.
For the purpose of nurturing such competent professionals, HCU seeks to admit:•

Persons who are well rounded and have a deep love of learning•

Persons who are intellectually curious, inquisitive, and eager to create and utilize knowledge•

Persons who wish to contribute positively to world peace and the development of local communities and theinternational community

The Graduate School of Peace Studies seeks to admit:•

Persons who can investigate, and objectively and scientifically analyze the background and causes ofinternational conflicts, global issues, and various other events•

For adults who have work experience, persons with a strong interest in peace, human rights, and democracy, andwho, after scholastically redefining and deepening their knowledge and experience in creating and maintaining
peace, are eager and enthusiastic about communicating effectively about these topics and using their knowledge
in their future work•

Persons who can independently think about and study the systems and criteria necessary to create and maintainpeace, and who are eager and enthusiastic about communicating their ideas both domestically and abroad fromthe standpoint of creating peace

2.

Type of degree conferred
The Graduate School of Peace Studies Master’s Degree Program will confer a “Master of Arts (Peace Studies)”
degree.
* The degree can be obtained in English.

3.

Number of applicants to be admitted
Peace Studies Program: 10 applicants* 10 applicants (total) will be admitted by General Entrance Examination, Special Entrance Examination for Adult
Learners, or Special Entrance Examination for International Students.

4.

Application qualifications
Applicants must meet requirements (1) and (2).
(1)

Persons who correspond to all of the following items.
a. Persons who do not have Japanese nationality and do not reside in Japan
b. Persons who are expected to be able to acquire the "Study Abroad" status of residence established in the"Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act" after entering the Graduate School(2)

Persons who fall under any one of the following categories (including persons expected to fall under any of
the categories by September 30, 2024)
a. Persons who have completed a 16-year school education program in a foreign country (outside Japan) (*)
b. A Person who has been conferred a degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree through attending an overseas
university or other overseas school (limited to those whose education and research activities have been
evaluated by persons who have been certified by the relevant country's government or a related institution,-2-

or have been separately designated by the Minister of MEXT(Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology) as being equivalent to such) and graduated from a program that requires 3 or more years tocomplete (Including persons who have completed a 16-year program of an overseas school by taking its
correspondence course in Japan or who are expected to complete such a program before being enrolled at thegraduate school and who have completed the program of an overseas school in Japan that is recognized as
being equivalent to an overseas university by the Minister of MEXT.
c. Persons who have reached the age of 22 and whose academic ability is recognized as equaling or exceedingthat of a college graduate, based on an individual review of their qualifications for admission by thisuniversity’s Graduate School.
(*) The “Self-Taught Higher Education Examinations” of the People’s Republic of China is not included in
the 16-year school education program in a foreign country. Please be sure to read “5. Preliminary review
of application qualifications” in accordance with the application qualification “(2)-c”.

5.

Preliminary review of application qualifications
Persons who wish to apply based on “4. Application Qualification (2)-c” will undergo a preliminary review
to confirm their eligibility to apply.
Applicants must first contact to the Admissions Office and then submit the following documents to the address
shown in “6. Application procedure” “(4) Where to apply / contact information for application and examinations” ,ensuring that the documents arrive by the submission deadline.
* We recommend using a tracking service such as Express Mail Service (EMS) or DHL when mailing.
[Preliminary review documents]
a. Preliminary review application (HCU designated form)b. Curriculum Vitae (HCU designated form)c. Research and other achievements (form)
Using Japanese or English, write horizontally on A4-size paper. Japanese should not exceed 2,000 characters,and English should not exceed 1,300 words.
d. Documents ④ to ⑥ in “6. Application procedure”  “(5) Application documents” (for ④: final
academic background)e. Certificates showing academic abilities, qualifications, or certifications obtained since attaining highest
educational level (copies of applicable items)
Note 1: Forms designated by HCU will be issued upon request.
Note 2: If a submission document is prepared in a language other than Japanese or English, be sure to attach a
Japanese or English translation.
Submission deadline: Must arrive by 5:00 p.m., April 18 (Thu), 2024 (JST).

6.

Application procedure(1) Prior Consultation
Referring to “Faculty Members of the Graduate School of Peace Studies Master’s Degree Program” on page 9 or
HCU website, select your desired supervisor (from among the faculty members), as well as the faculty member’s
research field and subject. Before applying, be sure to consult with the faculty member in advance,
either through the Admissions Office. Applications cannot be accepted if you did not carry out the priorconsultation.
For seeking prior consultation, applicants are required to send an e-mail with the subject line “Prior Consultation
for International Students (Master’s Degree Program)” to the Admissions Office. The e-mail must include: 1) your-3-

name, and 2) the name of a faculty member you wish to work with, and attach Documents ② Curriculum
Vitae and ⑥ Research proposal in“(5) Application documents”.
[Inquiry deadline] April 25 (Thu), 2024.
* If you would like to receive a prior consultation after the deadline, please contact the Admissions Office.
(2) Application period
May 13 (Mon) to 24 (Fri), 2024 (Must arrive by 5:00 p.m. JST on final day)(3) Submission of Application Documents
After prior consultation with your desired supervisor, place all of the application documents in an envelope andmail to the Admissions office, ensuring that the documents arrive within the application period.
Application documents arriving after the deadline will not be accepted.
* We recommend using a tracking service such as Express Mail Service (EMS) or DHL when mailing.
(4) Where to apply / contact information for application and examinations
Admissions Office, Hiroshima City University,
3-4-1 Ozuka-Higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima-shi 731-3194 Japan
E-mail:nyushi@m.hiroshima-cu.ac.jp(5) Application documents
Document Required forApplication

How to Prepare①

Application FormEnter the required information on the HCU designated form. When making
entries, carefully read the NOTES items shown in the margins.
Photo requirements: Taken within 3 months prior to application, 4 cm H x 3 cm
W, showing upper body, uncovered head, facing camera, and no background.
Affix in location shown. (Write your name on back.)②

Curriculum Vitae

Enter the required information on the HCU designated form. When making
entries, carefully read the NOTES items shown in the margins.

③

Entrance Examination
Fee

The entrance examination fee is 30,000 yen. Please inquire for payment
information by e-mail to the contact listed in “(4) Where to apply /contact information for application and examinations” by thedeadline below.
inquiry deadline: April 30 (Tue), 2024
After completing the payment procedure, it will take several days for thetransfer to HCU to be completed, so we recommend that you complete thepayment procedure by May 17 (Fri), 2024.
Deadline of transfer payment completed to HCU: May 24 (Fri), 2024,
5:00 p.m. (JST)* There are no documents to submit regarding the entrance examination fee.

④

Transcript(Original)

Submit a transcript prepared by the president or dean of the university you
attended or graduated from.

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Document Required forApplication

How to Prepare

Graduation (expected)
diploma(Original)

Submit a diploma prepared by the president or dean of the university you attended
or graduated from.
If you have a degree certificate that is separate from the diploma, submit a copyof it too.
If the date of graduation (expected) diploma is written on the academic transcript,
a degree certificate alone is also acceptable.
* If you have graduated from a higher education institution in China,
please authenticate your diploma on the China Higher Education
Student Information Network (https://www.chsi.com.cn/xlcx/) andprint out the authentication screen education Please submit the
departmental (educational certificate electronic annotation list: 教
育部学历证书电子注册备案表).

⑥

Research proposal(4 copies)

Regarding the Research proposal you wish to pursue after entering this Graduate
School, summarize your research project, how you came upon the idea, matters
you wish to specifically clarify, research method(s), and the academic or social
significance of the project.
Using Japanese or English, write horizontally on A4-size paper. Japanese shouldbe about 4,000 characters, and English should be about 2,700 words.
If you have any reference materials (such as a graduation thesis), submit them as
well.

⑦

Report of exam results
measuring Japanese or
English proficiency(Submission not
required if previous
degree was obtainedin Japanese or
English.)⑤⑧⑨

Submit one of the following exam score certificates (showing score, Original
and one copy). Must have been taken within past 2 years dating fromapplication deadline.
A) Report of results of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or
Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU) (showing score)B) TOEFLⓇ (PBT or iBT) or IELTS™ (Academic Module) score report
Original documents will be returned after the exam.
* If you are unable to submit your transcript due to the cancellation of the exam
by the COVID-19, please contact the Admissions Office.

Statement of purpose(4 copies)

Write the specific reason(s) why you wish to be admitted to this Graduate School.
Also, include a description of how you plan to utilize the results of your Graduate
School research in the future.
Using Japanese or English, write horizontally on A4-size paper. Japanese shouldbe about 1,000 characters, and English should be about 600 words.

Letters ofRecommendation(2 types)

Use Japanese or English.
A) One written by your university’s department (faculty) dean or graduate school
dean. If, however, you have previously graduated, submit a Letter ofRecommendation from the head of your affiliated institution. (Use the HCU
designated form [Letter of Recommendation 1].)B) One written by your (the applicant’s) research supervisor. The letter should
describe the relation to the applicant and reason for recommending theapplicant. (Use the HCU designated form [Letter of Recommendation 2].)

Note 1: Download the following HCU designated form (for October 2024 admission to the Graduate School of Peace
Studies Master’s Degree Program) from HCU website: ①, ②, ⑨.
Note 2: If a document in ④, ⑤ or ⑦ is written in a language other than Japanese or English, be sure to attach a
Japanese or English translation.
Note 3: If a document is not prepared as instructed in the “How to Prepare” column (for example, information isomitted, translation is not attached, etc.), the application may not be accepted.
Note 4: Persons who are subject to a preliminary review and have already submitted the documents specified above-5-

in ④ to ⑥ do not have to resubmit the documents.
Note 5: A certificate with the applicant's maiden name may be used. In such a case, please attach a document
stating the date of the name change, the new name and the maiden name filled in by the applicant. (Theformat is optional.)
Note 6: It is the responsibility of each applicant to carefully consider and submit the application documents.
(6) Precautions when applying
1) If you do not submit all of the required documents, your application will not be accepted. Carefully checkwhen applying.
2) After the application documents have been accepted, changes to application items will not be permitted. If,
however, your name, address, and/or telephone number changes, promptly contact the Admissions Office.
3) Once accepted, application documents and entrance examination fees will not be returned.
4) If an application document entry is found to be incorrect, even after the applicant’s admission has been
approved, said admission may be revoked.
(7) Notice of an Examination number
An Examination number will be noticed after the application deadline. If you do not receive it by June 7 (Fri),
please inquire with our Admissions Office.
(8) Return of examination fee
Paid examination fees will be returned (refunded) in the cases below. However, any service fees that arise inconnection with the return will be paid by the remitter (applicant).
1) When a person paid the examination fee but did not apply
2) When a person mistakenly paid the examination fee twice or mistakenly paid more than the prescribedamount3) When a person submitted the application documents but the application was not accepted
How to request a refund:If case 1) or 2) above applies, contact the Admissions Office. An “Examination Fee Refund Request” will be sent
to you by e-mail. After entering the required information, mail it to the Admissions Office address.
In case 3) above, an “Examination Fee Refund Request” will be enclosed with the application documents when
they are returned to you. After entering the required information, mail it to the Admissions Office address.
[Application deadline] Must arrive by 5:00 p.m., on August 30 (Fri), 2024. (JST)7.

Handling of personal information(1) Personal information contained in application documents (such as your name, date of birth, sex, etc.) will be
used for entrant selection, notification of acceptance, enrollment procedures, providing scholarship informationand surveys/research (entrance exam improvement, application trend surveys/analyses, etc.).
Also, said information will be managed by the university in connection with the educational affairs of enrolled
students (student registration, school guidance, etc.) and student support services (health management,
scholarship applications, tuition waiver applications, etc.),(2) With some of the operations and services mentioned above, outside companies may be employed, after necessary
steps are taken to ensure that personal information is appropriately managed.

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8.

How entrants are selected
Japanese or English proficiency exam results, research proposals, letters of recommendation, and other submission
documents are reviewed and comprehensively evaluated during the selection process.
Also, interviews may be conducted via the Internet. In such instances, the date and time will be coordinated with theexaminee.

9.

Announcement of successful applicantsJune 26 (Wed), 2024, 10:00 a.m. (JST)A notification of acceptance will be delivered to the successful applicants, and the application numbers of successful
applicants will be posted on HCU website.
However, since this is reference information, please check for the official notification of acceptance letter, which issent to successful applicants.
Inquiries regarding results by e-mail or other means will absolutely not be accepted.

10. Enrollment procedure(1) Enrollment procedure period
July 1 (Mon), 2024 to July 12 (Fri), 2024 (Must arrive by 5:00 p.m. JST on final day.)(2) Enrollment procedure method
1) Documents necessary for the enrollment procedure will be delivered directly to the applicant along with thenotification of acceptance.
2) Place all submission documents for the enrollment procedure in an envelope and mail the envelope
ensuring that the documents arrive within the enrollment procedure period.
* We recommend using a tracking service such as Express Mail Service (EMS) or DHL when mailing.
3) After the enrollment procedure period has ended, those who have completed the enrollment procedures will
be sent a Letter of Admission.
(3) Important notes regarding enrollment procedure
1) If you do not complete the procedures within the specified period, it will be assumed that you have declined
admission.
2) If you do not submit all of the required documents, said documents will not be accepted. Carefully checkwhen submitting documents.
3) Once accepted, enrollment procedure documents and enrollment fees will not be returned.
4) If you are applying based on an upcoming expected graduation, you must submit yourdiploma promptly after graduating. If you are unable to graduate by the day before theentrance date, your enrollment will be cancelled.

-7-11. Payments(1) Payments due by enrollment procedure
Payment

AmountAdmission fee

423,000 yen(2) Payments due by end of September
Payment

AmountSupport Association dues

20,000 yen

Note: Support Association dues include premiums for Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education
and Research, and Liability Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research.
(3) Payments due after entrance
Payment
Tuition fee (535,800 yen /year)

AmountPayment Time

267,900 yen

By end of April

267,900 yen

By end of OctoberNote: Amounts shown are current as of April 2024. If revisions are made, the new tuition rate will apply at the timeof revision.

12. Admission and tuition fee exemption system for adult learners(1) Target group
Staff members or persons in an equivalent capacity who hold an office in organizations or groups that engage inactivities aimed at creating and maintaining peace (such as national governments, local governments, internationalorganizations, and news organizations, including those in foreign countries), who are expected to engage evenfurther in activities aimed at creating and maintaining peace at said organizations after having completed theirstudies at the Graduate School of Peace Studies(2) Educational expenses to be waived
Admission and tuition fee(3) Determination of target group
Persons are selected based on their written application and letters of recommendation from affiliated institutions.
Details will be provided when the documents necessary for the enrollment procedure are sent to those who havepassed the entrance examination.

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Faculty Members of the Graduate School of Peace Studies Master’s Degree Program
Subject

Research Field

Professor JACOBS, Robert *・Atomic Culture
・Global Hibakusha

・History and Culture of
Nuclear Sciences andTechnologies

Professor KAWAKAMI, Akihiro

・Constitution of Japan andPacifism・Local Governance and Peace

・Theory of Constitutional Law
・Theory of Local Government
・Theory of Human Rights

Professor NAGAI, Hitoshi・War Crimes Trials andInternational Criminal
Tribunals
・Modern and Contemporary
History of Japan・Modern Japanese History
・Japan-Philippines Relations

Professor OKIMURA, Tadashi

・Peacebuilding andInternational Society
・United Nations

・International Relations
・International Institution
Studies・United Nations Studies

Professor OSHIBA, Ryo

・Global Governance・International Relations(Global Governance Studies)

Professor SATO, Tetsuo *・Contemporary International
Law and Peace・International Organizations
and International Systems

・International Law
・The Law of International
Organizations

Professor UMEHARA, Toshiya

・ Disarmament and Peace・ Journalism Studies

・ International Relations
・Security and Disarmament
・ Non-nuclear Norms
・Media of War and Peace

Associate
SHIJO, Chie
Professor

・Memories of Atomic
Bombings
・Contemporary Society and
Peace

・Historical Sociology,
Memories andRepresentations of the Atomic
Bombings

Associate
SON, Hyun Jin
Professor

・Korean Foreign Policies andNuclear Issues

・International Law
・Situation on the Korean
Peninsula
・North Korean Issues

Associate
TAKEMOTO, Makiko
Professor

・Pacifism and Peace
Movements
・ Memories of Atomic
Bombings

・Modern and Contemporary
German History
・History of Peace Philosophy
and Peace Movements

Associate
XU, Xianfen
Professor

・History of Japan-China
Relations・Politics and Foreign Policy in ・International Relations inContemporary China
East Asia
・International Cooperation
StudiesName

Lecturer

KATO, Mihoko

・Contemporary Russian
Policies and Foreign Policy
・Regional Organizations andtheir Peace and Security
Policies

・International Relations,
Russia’s Foreign Policy・International Order in East
Asia

Note 1: Subjects shown are those expected to be offered in April 2024.
2: Faculty members indicated with asterisks (*) are expected to retire at the end of March 2025.

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