Application Guidelines for Research Students

Admission in April 2024, October 2024

Those who wish to conduct research on specific specialized matters at the Graduate School of International
Cooperation Studies may apply to the Research Student program. Regardless of your nationality, you mustmeet the following application qualifications and obtain prior approval for your application from the faculty
member for whom you wish to receive research guidance.

1. Outline of Selection Schedule
After confirming the eligibility of the applicant, contact thefaculty advisor of the applicant's choice and obtain priorapproval for the application. (Refer to 2. Eligibility for Admission)

Download the application forms from the website of theAcademic Affairs Office of the Graduate School ofInternational Cooperation Studies
HP：Application Guidelines | Graduate School of International
Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University (kobe-u.ac.jp)【Admission in April 2024】【Admission in October 2024】
Refer to 3. Application Documents and Deadline

Application Period

Application Period

From November 17 to 5 p.m. November 24, 2023

From May 17 to 5 p.m. May 24, 2024

Refer to 4. Application Process

Application Process (Document screening)

Application Process (Document screening)

Refer to 5. Results

ResultResultJanuary 12, 2024

July 5, 2024

Refer to 7. Registration and Fees

Registration

Registration

Middle of March, 2024

Middle of September, 2024

12. Eligibility for Admission(1) Those who have graduated from an accredited Japanese university,or will graduate it by the end of March 31, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
will graduate it by the end of September 30, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
(2) Those who hold a bachelor's degree according to the provisions of Article 104.4 in the School
Education Act (No.26 of 1947),
or will obtain one by the end of March 31, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
will obtain one by the end of September 30, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
(3) Those who have completed 16 years of academic education outside of Japan,
or will complete it by the end of March 31, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
will complete it by the end of September 30, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
(4) Those who have completed 16 years of formal education in foreign countries by taking acorrespondence course through a non-Japanese university while residing in Japan,
or will complete it by the end of March 31, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
will complete it by the end of September 30, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
(5) Those who have graduated from a university in Japan that is a recognized university belonging to
the system of higher education of a foreign country and is approved by the Japanese Minister ofEducation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (only those who have completed at least 16
years of formal education),or will graduate it by the end of March 31, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
will graduate it by the end of September 30, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
(6) Those who have obtained a degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree by attending an overseas
university or other overseas school (limited to those whose education and research activities havebeen evaluated by persons who have been certified by the relevant country's government or arelated institution, or have been separately designated by the Japanese Minister of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as being equivalent to such) and graduated from a
program that requires three or more years to complete (including graduating from a program
implemented by the relevant overseas school while residing in Japan through distance learning,as well as graduating from a program implemented by an educational facility established with therelevant overseas country's school education system and has received the designation mentioned
above).
(7) Those who have graduated from a post-secondary course of a specialized training college
recognized by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(limited to those who have attended for at least 4 years, and to those who have fulfilled
requirements as approved by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology).
(8) Those who have been approved by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology (Ministry Notice No. 5 of 1953).
(9) Those who are recognized as possessing an academically ability suitable for graduate studies byGSICS
and are at least 22 years of age by March 31, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
are at least 22 years of age by September 30, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】

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3. Application Documents and Deadline
Documents(1)

Application Form

(2)
(3)
(4)

Research ProposalCurriculum Vitae
Official Transcript(5)

Official Certificate ofGraduation (or ExpectedGraduation)(6)

Official Certificate ofDegree(7)

Application Fee
9,800 yen

(8)

Copy of Passport

Contents
A recent (within the last three months) photograph (4.5 cm × 3.5cm) must be glued. (Form enclosed)
English: more than 600 words / Japanese: more than 1200 words(Form enclosed)
Certificate of academic grades from the latest university attended
Official certificate of graduation from the latest university attended
Applicants who have not yet graduated must provide an official
letter from the university in which they are currently enrolledaffirming the applicant's expected graduation and degree
conferment by the end ofMarch 2024 【For Admission in April 2024】
September 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
Official certificate of degree from the latest university attended
After obtaining consent from a prospective academic adviser andcompleting the payment, attach a copy of your payment receipt to theapplication.
【Payment in Japan】(Japan Post Bank only)
Request for a payment slip to the GSICS Academic Affairs Office【Payment from overseas】
See page 9, “Application fee payment method.”*No overseas remittance check will be accepted.
Photocopy of the passport biographical information page※If the certificates are in a language other than Japanese or English, a Japanese or English translation should
be attached.
※Applicants who have or will have graduated from a university in China, if admitted, must apply for yourbachelor’s / master’s / doctoral degree and transcript provided by China Higher Education Student
Information (CHSI) without delay. Details will be communicated to each successful applicant in this category
after the admission decision.
※Applicants who live in Japan must submit a copy of the certificate of residence (must be made within 30
days prior to the date of submission) or an alternative document.
※If you belong to a company (including public offices), please submit the Job Holder Recognizance form
(Form enclosed).

Deadline

Application documents must reach GSICS by registered mailbetween【For Admission in April 2024】 November 17 to 5 p.m. November 24, 2023
【For Admission in October 2024】May 17 to 5 p.m. May 24, 2024
Application documents brought in directly cannot be accepted.
Application documents cannot be returned.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Academic Affairs Office
Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
2-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, JAPAN
Phone: +81-78-803-7267
Fax: +81-78-803-7297
URL: http://www.gsics.kobe-u.ac.jp/

4. Application Process

Admission decisions will be made based on the submitted application.

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5. Results

An official letter of the examination result will be sent by post
after January 12, 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
July 5, 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
No telephone and email inquiries will be accepted.

6. Registration and Period of Research

Admission will be on April 1【For Admission in April 2024】, 2024 or October 1, 2024【For Admissionin October 2024】.
In principle, the period of research is either six months or one year. An extension request may be granted
for a maximum period of one year. The maximum period of being a research student in total is two years.

7. Registration and Fees

All entering students are required to register at the GSICS Academic Affairs Officefrom the middle of March 2024【For Admission in April 2024】
the middle of September 2024【For Admission in October 2024】.
For more detailed procedures, we will inform you at the timing of examination result.
Fees (subject to change)
Entrance Fee : 84,600 yen
Tuition Fee: 356,400 yen/year (178,200 yen/semester)

8. Additional Information(1) Research students are not able to obtain a master’s degree nor doctoral degree.
(2) Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
(3) Once an application has been accepted, no changes to the information on the application form will bepermitted.
(4) The examination fee already paid will not be refunded for any reason, except in the case of failure tosubmit the application documents, etc., or in the case of non-acceptance of the application.
(5) 【For Admission in April 2024】
The admission of the applicant who has passed the examination with the expectation of fulfilling theprescribed requirements by March 2024 but failed to fulfill the requirements by March 2024 will berevoked.
【For Admission in October 2024】
The admission of the applicant who has passed the examination with the expectation of fulfilling theprescribed requirements by September 2024 but failed to fulfill the requirements by September 2024 will
be revoked.
(6) Admission will be revoked if any irregularities in the submitted documents are found.

9. Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases
Kobe University has implemented the Measles and Rubella Registration Policy, and all newly enrolled
Kobe University students must submit one of the following three certificates(①, ②, or ③) to prevent a possible outbreak of measles and rubella on campus.
① A vaccination certificate to prove that you were inoculated against measles and rubella(twice each after one year of age) . (recommended)② A vaccination certificate to prove that you were inoculated with measles and rubella vaccines each
within the last five years (since April 2019).
③ An antibody certificate verifying that you have sufficient antibody titer in your blood (refer to thechart next page) to prevent the development of measles and rubella, based on the results of anantibody test performed within the last five years (since April 2019).
＊ For ① and ②, it can be a combined vaccine of measles and rubella vaccines (e.g., MR vaccine).

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＊ For ① and ②, the certificate must be issued by an accredited medical institution, and state thetype of vaccine and the date of inoculation.
＊ If there is a history of vaccination, please submit ③or receive vaccination and submit ① or ②.
＊ For ③, the certificate must specify the measuring method and the measured values of antibody
titer in your blood (refer to the next page), and it must satisfy the judging standard listed in the chart.
A blood test report sheet itself can be accepted for submission.
If the antibody titer in your blood is insufficient, you must receive the necessary vaccination, and submit
either ① or ②.
＊ You may submit a combination of ①, ②, and ③ (e.g., ① for measles, and ③ for rubella).
＊ If the antibody titer level is below requirements, yet you cannot be inoculated with vaccines forsome reason (e.g. illness or body composition), please submit an official document (for example, acertificate issued by the doctor) explaining why.
<Submission Period and Place of Submission>・All successful undergraduate and graduate applicants enrolling in April:
Please submit at the time of the medical checkup for new students scheduled in April.
・Successful applicants enrolling in October:
Submit the certificate at the medical check-up site for October enrollment.
Measuring Methods and Judging Standards for Protective Antibodies in Blood
Measuring
MethodJudging Standard

Remarks

IgG－EIA method

8.0 ≦ positive（16.0 ≦ ）＊≦ positive≦ ）＊≦ positive≦ ）＊Positive result by one of these threemethods.
＊ For the School of Medicine (boththe Faculty of Medicine and theFaculty of Health Sciences), theGraduate School of Medicine, andthe Graduate School of HealthSciences: Positive result by one ofthese three methods, and mustachieve values shown in brackets.

32x ≦ positive
8.0 ≦ positive

Positive result by one of these twomethods.
(HImethodisrecommended)

PA method
Measles

RubellaNT method

HI method
IgG－EIA method

256x(256x4.0x(8x＊ Antibody testing is not required if the vaccination history meets the requirements or if additional
vaccinations are given.
＊ Make sure the above methods are followed when the antibody titer is measured in your blood.
＊ The protective antibody value differs according to the measuring method used. Please note thatthe judging standards are higher than the usual standards used at medical institutions.
＊ Before you visit a medical institution, please make an appointment and confirm that the antibody
test and/or the vaccine you need are available at that institution.
When you visit a doctor at a medical institution, make sure you present this guidebook so yourdoctor can issue the necessary certificate(s). (Please make sure you confirm with your doctor themeasuring methods and judging standards when measuring the antibody titer in your blood.)5

＊Points to Consider when Submitting a Certificate:① Please bring the original certificate and one set of copies (A4 size).
② If the certificate is written in a language other than Japanese or English, please attach adocument that shows either a Japanese or English translation.

For further information, please refer to:
Medical Center for Student Health, Kobe University
Tel: 078-803-5245
Student Support Division, Student Affairs Department, Kobe University Tel: 078-803-5219

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List of Teaching Staff
Faculty members whose names are followed by an asterisk (*) have their primary appointment inother faculties of Kobe University, and may only accept a limited number of students.

International Studies Program
NameNISHITANI Makiko

AKAHOSHI Sho

OGAWA Keiichi

Position
Professor
Associate
Professor

Research Fields

CoursesInternational Relations, Global Governance,
International Norms
International Institutions, Global Governance,
Forced Migration Studies, Human rights andHumanitarianism

Professor reduction, disaster education, disaster risk
communication

SAKAUE Katsuki

NAKAZAWA Minato*

Issues in Peace andDevelopment I, Special
SeminarHuman Capital Development,
Economics of Education, Education Finance, United Nations and SDGs,
Professor
World Bank and SDGs,
Education Policy and Planning
Special Seminarsoft countermeasures of disaster risk

SAKURAI Aiko

International Relations,
Special Seminar

Associate
Professor

Professor

International Educational Development,
Economics of Education, Evaluation ofEducation Policy

Development Evaluation,
Special Seminar
Social Research Methods forDevelopment, Special
SeminarDemography, Medical
Global Health, Public Health, Human Ecology
Anthropology, Environmental
and Demography
Health, Special Seminar

KAMEOKA Masanori* Professor Global Health, Virology

Special Seminar

Development and Economics Program
Name
TAKAHASHI Shingo
ITO Takahiro

Position

Research Fields
Labor Economics, Personnel
Professor
Applied Econometrics

Courses
Economics,

Associate Development Economics, Applied
Professor Econometrics
Development Economics, Economic

UCHIDA Yuichiro

Professor Development in East Asia, Applied
Economics/Econometrics

KODAMA Masahiro
KAWABATA Koji
INOUE Takeshi

Professor

Development Macroeconomics, StructuralTransformation

Associate Applied Econometrics, Economic
Professor Development, Industrialization
Associate Development Finance, Financial Inclusion,
Professor Remittances

Statistics, Special Seminar
Microeconomics, Special
SeminarInternational Economics,
Growth Theory, Special
SeminarMacroeconomics, Special
SeminarEconometrics, SpecialSeminar
Monetary Theory, SpecialSeminar

ZHAO Laixun *International Trade, Foreign Investment,
Professor Multinational Labor-Management Relations, Special Seminar
Cross-Border Pollution, International Merger

KITANO Shigeto *Professor International Macroeconomics

7Special Seminar

NamePosition
Research Fields
Latin American Economy, Regional
HAMAGUCHI Nobuaki
Professor*and Spatial Economics
SATO Takahiro*

Professor Indian Economy

CoursesSpecial Seminar
Special Seminar

International Law /Law and Development Program
Name
SHIBATA Akiho

HAYASHI Mika

YOTSUMOTO Kenji
KANEKO Yuka

SAITO Yoshihisa

Position

Research Fields

Courses
Introduction to International
Environmental Law,
Professor International Law
International Polar Law II,
Special Seminar
Introduction to InternationalCooperation Law,
Professor International Law
International Security andInternational Law, SpecialSeminar
Law and State Building,Professor Asian Constitutional Law
Special Seminar
Law and Economic
Law and Development, Comparative Law inProfessor
Development, SpecialAsia, Law in Disasters
Seminar
Law and Social
Associate
Social Law in Asia and Transition Economies Development,
Professor
Special Seminar

Political Science and Area Studies Program
Name

Position

Research Fields
Comparative Study of Deregulation,

MATSUNAMI Jun

Professor

KIMURA Kan

Professor

KAWAMURA Yusuke

Associate Politics in the Middle East and North Africa,
Professor Social Policy in Authoritarian Countries

MINOHARA Tosh *Professor

Privatization and Local Governments

Courses
Japanese Politics, Local
Government, SpecialSeminar

Korean Nationalism and Historical Disputes in Introduction to PoliticalNortheast Asia
Analysis, Special Seminar

US-Japan Relations, Diplomacy, International
Politics, Intelligence, and Security Studies

8

Principles of Political
Research, Special Seminar
Special Seminar9