exam no. PM07

Application Package

Asian Public Policy Programfor

Master in Public Policy (Public Economics)

Academic Year 2024/25

School of International and Public Policy

Hitotsubashi University

Asian Public Policy Program (APPP)
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University
The 2024/25 Program
Application and Admissions ProceduresThis program is conducted in English at the Kunitachi campus and the Chiyoda
campus located in Tokyo.

1. The Program
For the academic year 2024/2025, the program offers a total of 15 positions to qualified applicants,
primarily Asian students.

2. Qualifications
Those who have or will have a minimum of two years’ full-time working experience as of March 31,
2024, preferably in economic or other public policy areas of government or central banks and who
hold a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent that meets any one of the following qualifications:(1) Those who have graduated from universities or colleges which are stipulated in Article 83 of the
School Education Law of Japan.
(2) Those who have received a Bachelor’s degree under Article 104 of the School Education Law ofJapan.
(3) Those who have completed at least 16 years of education with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree from accredited universities or colleges in countries otherthan Japan.
(4) Those who are residing in Japan and those who have completed at least 16 years of education
by taking courses offered by accredited universities or colleges outside of Japan throughcorrespondence.
(5) Those who have completed at least 16 years of education outside of Japan and university’scourse in educational institutions accredited by the country authorities.
(6) Those who have completed special course in special training school specifically designated by
the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology by the datedesignated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(7) Those who are specially designated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
(8) Those who have been at universities or colleges for more than three years in Japan, or those
who have completed 15 years of education with a B.A. or B.Sc. degree outside of Japan, andthose whom the Admissions Committee of School of International and Public Policy (IPP) has
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2024 Master’s Programjudged to have acquired the academic competence equivalent to those who meet the above
qualifications (1) through (4).
(9) Those whom the Admissions Committee of IPP has judged to have the academic competence
equivalent to those who meet the above qualifications (1) through (4) by individual admissions
screening, and those whose age is over 22 years old or who will become 22 years old before
September 1, 2023.

Note: Applicants who seek to satisfy the eligibility requirement under items (8) or (9)above must make an inquiry in a written form to the Admissions Office, the Asian
Public Policy Program, about their qualifications as early as possible and no later thanNovember 30, 2023.

3. Application
Applicants are required to register your application on the Graduate School Online Application pageand submit the following in the prescribed forms1:
Graduate School Online Application page (“exam no.” for Asian Public Policy Program is “PM07”):https://reg31.smp.ne.jp/regist/is?SMPFORM=nitj-lesbpf-6eb53e20eb925ee7dec0f2c79c02fe25(1) Completed and signed application with a portrait photograph (Form A)(2) Degree certificate issued by the university or college authority (if applications are made pursuant
to (1)(3)(4)(5) of Section 2 above)
Degree certificate issued by the Japan’s National Institution for Academic Degrees (if applications
are made pursuant to (2) of Section 2 above)
Those who apply pursuant to (6)(7)(8)(9) of Section 2 above must inform the Admissions Officeof the APPP before applying.
(3) Official transcripts: issued by the university or college authority.
(4) Essay written in English (Form B) (Original plus 2 photocopies): in about 2,000 words. This
document should also explain their past academic or other work achievements, a major topic
proposed for research or study at the program, the proposed methodological approach to the
topic, and the planned or contemplated career developments after the program.
(5) Two letters of reference (Form C): one from the president, dean or academic supervisor of theuniversity or college attended, and the other from the head of the department or the equivalent of
the ministry/agency where the applicant currently works.
(6) Official English score report
All applicants are required to have a good command of English. TOEFL score of 550 (213 forcomputer-based test, 79-80 for iBT) or higher is required in principle. Applicants are strongly
advised to take TOEFL at least one month before submitting the application. (When TOEFL is not
1 When any of the original documents is written in a language other than English or Japanese, its

translation in English or Japanese must be attached.
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2024 Master’s Programavailable, an official score report of TOEIC or IELTS is accepted.)
TOEFL:① Your Institutional Score Report should be sent directly from the ETS. The DesignatedInstitution Code for the issuance of a TOEFL Institutional Score Report is C433.
② Submit a copy of your Test Taker Score Report sent to you by the ETS or the one available
online.
(https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/scores/get/)Note: You need to submit both of the documents mentioned above (1. and 2.).
IELTS:
Submit your official IELTS test score report form.
Exemption:
The following applicants are exempt from submitting TOEFL Score Report Form:① native English speakers;② those who have completed an undergraduate degree conducted entirely in English.

(7) A letter of endorsement from an institution which an applicant belongs to (Form D)
Should the applicant apply through a scholarship sponsor, the format of endorsement could be
the one from the scholarship application.
(8) Non-refundable application fee of Yen 30,000 (see Form E) (exemption or payment byscholarship sponsor may be available in some cases: please contact the Admissions Office
before sending in the application fee)(9) A photocopy of the page(s) of the applicant’s passport, to indicate his/her name, photo, passportnumber, date of birth, etc.
(10) A self-addressed envelope of a standard postal size (23.5cm x 12cm) for the admission decision(25 grams) should be included, together with registered mail stamps (404 Yen). Those applying
from overseas do not have to include the envelope or stamps.

Applications should be sent to the following address by registered mail. Candidates applying fromoverseas are strongly advised to contact the Admissions Office of the Asian Public Policy Program(appp-admissions@ad.hit-u.ac.jp) well before the application period regarding application.
Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University
2-1 Naka, Kunitachi
Tokyo 186-8601
Applicants applying under sponsored Scholarships must be selected by each Scholarship Sponsor
prior to APPP selection. As the eligibility, schedule, and procedure are different among Scholarships,
applicants should contact the Admissions Office, the Asian Public Policy Program as early as possible.
Applications for the program must be submitted in their original forms, unless otherwise stated, during3

2024 Master’s Program

the period shown below for the program beginning in September, 2024. All documents, except TOEFL
scores which should be sent directly from ETS, must be submitted in one envelope to the Admissions
Office.
APPP Application Period is from October 16, 2023 to May 13, 2024.
(Notes for scholarship recipients)
1. When a candidate who has been awarded a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology (MEXT) scholarship applies for the program, application fee is exempted if a Certificate
of MEXT Scholarship Student is included in his/her application. Please check with the Admissions
Office of the Asian Public Policy Program to confirm eligibility for this exemption.
2. Recipients of the Japan-Asia IMF scholarship, JDS Scholarship, JICA-SDGs Global Leadership
Program Scholarship and other sponsored scholarships with partnership arrangements are
required to consult with their respective sponsors and contact the Admissions Office of the Asian
Public Policy Program regarding application fee and submission of their applications.

4. Selection
The selection will be made on the basis of the above submissions, namely, transcripts,
recommendation letters, essays, TOEFL scores, a letter of endorsement, as well as interviews if
deemed necessary.
Interviews with applicants may also involve math and English tests, and applicants will be
informed of the schedule after May 15, 2024 via e-mail.

For overseas residents such interviews may be conducted in the country of their residence or
through video/telephone conference. For those applicants who are applying in conjunction withsponsored scholarships that have partnership arrangements with APPP, these may take place prior to
the admissions closure date in conjunction with the selection process for the scholarships.

5. Admission Decisions
Admission decisions will be made by the date shown below. All applicants will be notified as soon as
possible of the results of the decisions via e-mail and by post, either directly or via your agent in Japan
in case of sponsored scholarships.
Admission Decisions
Not later than June 28 (Friday), 2024

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2024 Master’s Program

6. Enrollment Registration
The enrollment registration must be done between July 1 and July 7, 2024. (the schedule is subject
to change for international students due to visa arrangements.)
The matriculation fee payment in the amount of Yen 282,000 must be made at the time of enrollment.
The payment of university tuition fee in the amount of 267,900 (as of April, 2023), representing one halfof the annual tuition of Yen 535,8002, and covering the September-March term must be made by theend of October 2024.

7. Miscellaneous(1) All matters relating to the application and admission will be handled by the Admissions Office,Asian Public Policy Program, Hitotsubashi University. All inquiries must be made by e-mail (apppadmissions@ad.hit-u.ac.jp) or fax (+81-42-580-9085).
(2) For scholarship possibilities, applicants are expected to contact the Admissions Office of the
Asian Public Policy Program well prior to the official application period.
(3) All the papers submitted for the application become the official record of Hitotsubashi University
and will not be returned to applicants. The application fee is non-refundable.
(4) All submissions must be in original, except otherwise noted above.
(5) All submissions must be typed, unless otherwise stated. When, for any reason, hand-written
documents are submitted, they must be written in block letters, using black or blue ball-point pens.
(6) Applicants with physical disabilities must consult with the Admissions Office prior to theapplication, so that necessary considerations for facilitating them in classrooms, etc. might bearranged.

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The university fee is subject to periodic changes by Hitotsubashi University.
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2024 Master’s Program

Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University

Application Form
To the Applicant:This form will be used in the selection process. The applicant is, therefore, requested tocomplete it carefully on a typewriter or a word processor. The form should be signed by
the candidate and sent to the Asian Public Policy Program following the procedures
explained in the guideline on Application and Admissions.
Personal DataYour Name （Family）（Given）（Middle, if there is）(Family)(Given)（Middle, if there is）

Please attach herea recent photographshowing your fullface
（4×5 ㎝）(Write your name in Japanese or Chinese characters（kanji）, if used)

Date of birthAge (as of September 1, 2024)
Month

/ Day

/ YearNationality / Region (as in passport)
GenderMarital status□Male □Female□Single □Married

Current Work AddressCountry
Agency/ Organization
Job Title
Address (including postal code)
E-mail (office)Home Address
Address (including postal code)
Home telephone / Mobile/

E-mail address (private)/

Scholarship Sponsor□JISPA(IMF)

□JDS

□JICA

□ADB

Other than the above: Name

□MEXT
E-mail:

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□None

(A)

2024 Master’s Program

Educational Background

Level of Education(Years normally required forcompletion)

Name of Institution

Location

Language ofInstruction

Date ofEntrance
Date of
Graduation

Number ofYears(Year, Month)

Elementary Education/ Elementary School ( )Secondary Education/ Lower School ( )Secondary Education/ Upper School ( )Higher Education/ Undergraduate Level ( )Field of study:

Degree/Certificate received:
Honors or prizes (if any)
Higher Education/ Graduate Level
Field of study:

Degree/Certificate received:
Honors or prizes (if any)
Higher Education/
Level (if any)
Field of study:

Degree/Certificate received:
Honors or prizes (if any)
Total number of years of formal education received

years

Any additional non-academic experience or training that has contributed to yourprofessional learning in terms of specialized knowledge or practical skills:

72024 Master’s Program

Accomplishments and achievements (academic or civic honors, activities or special
recognition, including any awards or professional achievements not mentioned elsewhere):

List any publications or contributions to journals and books:

English and Other Languages

Native language
English proficiency(☑with selfassessment )ExcellentGood

Writing:
Speaking:
Reading:

English score (TOEFL or equivalent, either TOEIC or IELTS)

Other languages in which you are fluent:

1.
2.
3.

8

Fair

Poor

2024 Master’s Program

Employment Data

Beginning with your present position, please list your full-time work experience below.
Name of agency, ministry or
institution

Job title

Responsibilities

1

PeriodNo. of Year & Month
From
To
No of Year & Month

Name and title of yourimmediate supervisor

2

From
To

No of Year & Month

Name and title of yourimmediate supervisor

3

From
To
No of Year & Month

Name and title of yourimmediate supervisor

4

From
To
No of Year & Month

Name and title of yourimmediate supervisor

5

From
To
No of Year & Month

Name and title of yourimmediate supervisor

9

Location

2024 Master’s Program

References

Please list below the two individuals who will write the references for your candidacy.
1
Name (family, given, middle)

Position

Organization

Relationship to the candidate

Business address
Letter of Reference Submission

Tel□ Online

E-mail□Hardcopy

2
Name (family, given, middle)

Position

Organization

Relationship to the candidate

Business address
Letter of Reference Submission

Tel□ Online

E-mail□Hardcopy

I certify that all statements made in this application are true and accurate, and that responses
to all essay questions are my own writing. I understand that falsification or misrepresentation of
any information in this application is the grounds for automatic revocation of all offers ofadmission or expulsion from Hitotsubashi University, School of International and Public Policy.

Signature

Date

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2024 Master’s Program

Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University

Essay Questions

Please write a short essay in about 2,000 words, covering the following questions. This essay is oneof the most important parts of your application, as it will form a basis for the selection. It should
be word-processed on separate sheets of paper, and should be signed and dated by you:

(1) What study/research and professional experience have you had to date? Has your experiencesatisfied your intellectual and professional interests and ambitions? Do you feel you needadditional study/training? If so, in which field?

(2) Why are you applying to this program? What do you see in the program that is likely to help
you attain your intellectual and professional objectives and goals?
(3) If accepted in the program, what subject of study/research would you like to pursue? How is it
related to your field of intellectual and professional interest? What analytical method or
methodological framework do you think would be most appropriate for the study/research of
the above subject? Have you done any work on it to date?

(4) How do you envisage your professional career developments after the program? What would
you like to be doing in, say, 10 years’ time?
(5) Choose a particular policy issue in your field of interest that is of concern to you, and make abrief assessment of the issue from a viewpoint of a policy maker.

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(B)

2024 Master’s Program

Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University

Letter of Reference
To the Applicant

For those who are submitting the Letter of Reference in Hardcopy, please complete only the
top portion of this form, and pass it to your referee to complete the rest of the form. For
those who are submitting the Letter of Reference by using the Online Reference System,
please inform the APPP Admissions Office. The APPP Admissions Office will send thenecessary information to the applicant in order to access to the following URL.
https://www.ipp.hit-u.ac.jp/appp/recommendationform/.

Your Name (Family)(Given)(Middle)To the Referee
The person whose name appears above is applying for admission to the Asian Public Policy
Program at Hitotsubashi University.
Please provide your reference on your own letterhead or stationery. In your letter, pleasestate your observations including the following points as candidly and specifically as possible:
Letter of Reference – Academic:- Academic performance of the applicant relative to his/her classmates in terms of academic
performance, intellectual performance, and creativity and originality (e.g. average, top 10%)- The applicant’s characteristics and attributes- The applicant’s intellectual strengths and academic achievements (e.g. honors, awards)- The applicant’s academic potential
The applicant’s personality (e.g. leadership, team-work)
Letter of Reference – Professional:- Work performance of the applicant relative to his/her colleagues in the work place or to
his/her cohort in the department, etc.
- The applicant’s characteristics and attributes- The applicant’s professional strengths and achievements (e.g. leadership in project
implementation, solid staff work in policy formulation, innovativeness)- The applicant’s personality (e.g. human relationship, communication skills)
Please return this form and your letter of reference to the applicant in a sealed envelope, withyour signature across the seal. The applicant will submit the sealed, signed envelope to us aspart of the completed application package. The contents of the letter will be kept confidential.
Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.

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(C)

2024 Master’s Program

Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University

Letter of Reference
To the Applicant

For those who are submitting the Letter of Reference in Hardcopy, please complete only the
top portion of this form, and pass it to your referee to complete the rest of the form. For
those who are submitting the Letter of Reference by using the Online Reference System,
please inform the APPP Admissions Office. The APPP Admissions Office will send thenecessary information to the applicant in order to access to the following URL.
https://www.ipp.hit-u.ac.jp/appp/recommendationform/.

Your Name (Family)(Given)(Middle)To the Referee
The person whose name appears above is applying for admission to the Asian Public Policy
Program at Hitotsubashi University.
Please provide your reference on your own letterhead or stationery. In your letter, pleasestate your observations including the following points as candidly and specifically as possible:
Letter of Reference – Academic:- Academic performance of the applicant relative to his/her classmates in terms of academic
performance, intellectual performance, and creativity and originality (e.g. average, top 10%)- The applicant’s characteristics and attributes- The applicant’s intellectual strengths and academic achievements (e.g. honors, awards)- The applicant’s academic potential- The applicant’s personality (e.g. leadership, team-work)
Letter of Reference – Professional:- Work performance of the applicant relative to his/her colleagues in the work place or to
his/her cohort in the department, etc.
- The applicant’s characteristics and attributes- The applicant’s professional strengths and achievements (e.g. leadership in project
implementation, solid staff work in policy formulation, innovativeness)- The applicant’s personality (e.g. human relationship, communication skills)
Please return this form and your letter to the applicant in a sealed envelope, with yoursignature across the seal. The applicant will submit the sealed, signed envelope to us as partof the completed application package. The contents of the letter will be kept confidential.
Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.

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(C)

2024 Master’s Program

Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University

Letter of Endorsement

I, the undersigned(Family name),(name of agency/organization) hereby:(Given name) at

1. nominate(name of applicant) to enroll in the
Master’s Program in Public Policy, the Asian Public Policy Program at the School ofInternational and Public Policy, Hitotsubashi University;
2. certify that the information supplied by the applicant is correct to the best of myknowledge;
3. certify that the applicant, if accepted, will not be assigned duties that will conflict with
devoting full time and attention to the program, should there be an agreement between myagency and the applicant to continue to be employed after graduation.

(Name of Institution)
Name

Date
(Family name) ,(Given name)

Title
City and CountryTel.

(mm/dd/yy)

Fax

E-mailSignature<Official seal is required.>

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(D)

2024 Master’s Program

Application Fee– Payment Procedure of JPY 30,000

Asian Public Policy Program
School of International and Public Policy
Hitotsubashi University

For Applicants living outside of Japan:
Payment of JPY 32,500 (30,000 yen for application fee + 2,500 yen for handling charge by theJapanese bank) must be made through a bank transfer (cable remittance) to the account noted below,
and a copy of the bank transfer receipt must be included in the application documents submitted to
the Office of Admissions. Payment by credit card is also available. For details, please check thefollowing URL:
http://www.hit-u.ac.jp/admission/postgraduates/announce.html

Bank Name/Branch:Bank’s address:
A/C Name:
Savings A/C No.:SWIFT Code:Amount:Sumitomo-Mitsui Bank, Kunitachi Branch
1-8-45 Naka, Kunitachi-shi, Tokyo 186-0004, Japan
Hitotsubashi University
7761831SMBCJPJT
32,500 Japanese Yen(30,000 yen for application fee + 2,500 yen for handling charge by the Japanese bank)School’s address:

2-1 Naka, Kunitachi-shi, Tokyo 186-8601, Japan(Tel: 81-42-580-8078)

Notes:
 The Application Fee of JPY 30,000 is non-refundable.
 Hitotsubashi University’s bank account must receive a net amount of JPY 30,000 after
all remittance charges. Please ask your bank if the remittance will be made directly to
Sumitomo-Mitsui Bank or through other banks. If through other banks, an additional
remittance charge may be deducted from the amount. In that case, please add thatamount to 32,500 yen.
 Please note the following on the bank transfer slip:"Full amount of 30,000 Japanese Yen must be received by the account holder."Bank checks are not acceptable forms of payment.

•

Please make sure to have the application fee transferred under the name of the•applicant, not under someone else’s name.
If you are paying by credit card, you do not need to provide this information.

15(E)