LL.M. Program
Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP )Application Guidelines(October 2024 Admissions)

1. Introduction
Please read the following Application Guidelines before submitting an application.
The LL.M. (Master of Laws) is a one-year degree program taught entirely in English. In 1994,
the Graduate School of Law at Kyushu University established Japan's first Master’s level
program taught entirely in English. Drawing upon faculty members with particular strengths
in the fields of international economic and business law, the LL.M. program was designed toprovide both Japanese and international students with the ability to confront the many
challenges of law in a global society.
Since then, the program has grown in scale and scope and a wide selection of courses are now
offered across the major fields of law. The diversity of both the faculty and student bodyensures a unique educational experience at one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious
universities.
For the academic year 2024-25, Kyushu University will be able to offer one student enrolledon the LL.M. program a scholarship supported by the “Asian Development Bank - Japan
Scholarship Program” (ADB-JSP).
Candidates wishing to be considered for this scholarship should clearly indicate in Section 6of the LL.M. Application Form that they wish to be considered for the scholarship.
In addition to the LL.M. Application Form & supporting materials, those wishing to receive
an ADB-JSP scholarship are required to submit additional materials.
Please read Section 5 carefully and submit the additional documents with yourapplication for the LL.M. program.
Applicants may apply for both the ADB scholarship and other Japanese government
scholarships.

1For full details on the LL.M. program, see: http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/

2. Conditions of Eligibility for ADB-JSP
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions in order to be eligible for thisscholarship:(1) The applicant must be a national of an ADB borrowing member country (i.e., applicantsfrom countries that are not currently borrowing from the ADB are not eligible for the ADBJSP Scholarship). A full list of countries is contained in Annex I below. In addition,
applicants must currently reside in their home country, i.e., applicants living or working
in a country other than his/her home country are not eligible for this scholarship.
(2) The applicant must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
(3) The applicant must have gained admission to an approved post-graduate course. Please
note that this condition will be automatically met if you are chosen for the scholarship.
(4) The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a superior academic record.
For applicants who have earned their Master’s degree in their home country and havecompleted only 16 years of education, the Master’s level education will be deemed
equivalent to a Japanese Bachelor’s degree.
Note: The bachelor's degree equivalent will be determined by the Designated Institution,in this case, Kyushu University, in consultation with ADB.
(5) The applicant must have at least 2 years of full-time professional working experience(acquired after graduation) at the time of the application.
(6) The applicant must be proficient in English. Please note that admission to Kyushu
University international programs in law requires a TOEFL score of 92+ (Internet-based)or equivalent.
(7) The applicant must not be more than 35 years old at the time of the application.
(8) The applicant must be in good physical and mental health.
Note: The successful candidate will be required to submit a health certificate froma medical professional attesting that they are in good physical condition after
selection.
(9) The applicant must agree to return to his/her home country in order to contribute to its
development at least two years after completion of studies at Kyushu University.

2(10) The applicant’s family income should not exceed US$50,000 / per year and individual
income should not exceed US$25,000 / year. Proving family income means that applicants
will be required to submit salary reports from both parents even if the applicant andparents are living separately.
Notes
1. ADB-JSP will, in principle, not support applicants who have previously studied abroador who are pursuing a second Master’s or doctoral degree.
2. ADB-JSP will, in principle, not support applicants who are currently living or working
overseas.
3. Staff of ADB or their family members are not eligible for this scholarship. Please
consult the attached list of ineligible family members (Appendix 3).
4. ADB-JSP does not support applicants who are already enrolled in a graduate degree
program.
5. This scholarship may only be used for the LL.M. program at the Graduate School ofLaw, Kyushu University.
6. Regarding (10), please complete the attached Applicants Income Information form.
7. Preference will be given to candidates with higher potential to occupy senior positions
in development-related work and who have demonstrated professional interest anddesire to contribute to development in their home countries.

3. Research Topic
When preparing the research proposal, please carefully consider the following: The proposed
field of research for the Master’s thesis should be closely linked to the candidate’s academic
background and professional experience, and should be in line with the operational priority
areas of ADB's long-term strategy and the priority issues and development challenges
addressed by Japan’s ODA.
The ADB’s operational priority areas under its Strategy 2030 are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Addressing poverty and reducing inequalities;
Accelerating progress in gender equality;
Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing
Environmental sustainability;
Making cities more livable;
Promoting rural development and food security;
Strengthening governance and institutional capacity; andFostering regional cooperation and integration.

In the case of Japan ODA, the priority areas are:••

Universal health coverage;
Climate change and disaster risk management;
3

•
•
•

Quality infrastructure investment;
Public finance management; andPoverty reduction.

Topics relating to Industry 4.0 fields (e.g., artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics,
3D printing, the Internet of Things, and advanced wireless technologies) which impact on thepriority areas identified above are encouraged given their expected increasing role inaddressing regional and global issues.
Kyushu University, Graduate School of Law has expertise in the following areas andencourages research proposals in these areas:••••

Innovation and smart society
Law and development
Cultural heritage and the law
Business and the law

4. Scholarship Coverage
This ADB-JSP scholarship will cover the following:(1) All tuition fees for the duration of the program.
(2) A subsistence allowance. The exact amount will be calculated each year based on Japanese
government scholarships. For the academic year 2022-23 this was 146,000 Japanese Yen permonth.
Please note that the living allowance will be subject to change depending upon the annual
budget for each year and, in the case of off-site study, such as during an emergency thatprevents a student from traveling to Japan (e.g., pandemic, unrest, etc.)(3) Student medical and accident insurance.
(4) A book allowance. The exact amount will be determined annually and informed to thesuccessful applicant.
(5) An economy class return air ticket for one person covering the trip from the successful
applicant’s place of residence to, and from, Fukuoka International Airport at the beginning,and end, of their studies.

5. Application Materials
Applicants are requested to submit by registered airmail or equivalent (i.e. Federal Express,
DHL etc.), an original and one copy of the following documents to the Faculty of Law,
4

Kyushu University before December 22, 2023 (applications arriving after that date cannot be
accepted:
1. Completed LL.M. Application Form. Please note: (1) It is very important that the name thatyou include in Section 1 of the Application Form is the same as the name in your passport. The
Student Visa of successful applicants will be issued with the name provided in Section 1, andit can cause problems at immigration when entering Japan if the names are different. (2)Nationality. You must indicate if you have dual nationality or Japanese nationality.
2. A photocopy of Graduation Certificate of the last university and graduate school attended,
OR a Certified Letter from the university at which the applicant is currently attending, stating
the expected graduation date.
3. Official School Transcript of the last school from which the applicant graduated and thatwhich the applicant is currently attending.
4. Two Letters of Recommendation from the Dean, the applicant's supervising professor orother teaching staff who have had direct contact with the applicant; or from a supervisor in theemploying body with personal knowledge of the applicant (forms attached below).
5. For non-native speakers, proof of English proficiency must be provided. A TOEFL scoreof 92+ (Internet-based) or equivalent is required for non-native English speakers.
All application materials should be typed in English on the attached forms or additional sheetsof A4 paper. In the event materials required above are in a language other than English or
Japanese, a translation into one of these languages must be attached.
Application materials will not be returned to applicants.

6. Additional Documents for ADB-JSP
Applicants wishing to be considered for the ADB-JSP should include the following additional
documents with the LL.M. application:(1) Information Sheet (attached below).
(2) Original certificates stating the applicant’s own personal income and that of their parents
and/or immediate family. All such documents must show annual income in the local
currency and US dollars and be written in English with a signature or stamp. For parents
who are retired, deceased or unemployed, please submit a Certificate issued by a local
agency, company or government with signature/stamp whichever is applicable.
(3) Original certificate showing number of years of employment with signature/stamp from
employer.

5(4) One copy of your passport.
Note: If the incomes are not clearly certified, the applicant may be excluded from selection.
Please submit authorized certificates issued by public agencies.

7. Selection Procedure
The Asian Development Bank will select scholarship recipients from candidates who pass thescreening conducted by the Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University.
The Scholarship recipients will be notified through the Student Section of the Graduate Schoolof Law.

8. Warning
Successful applicants will have their enrollment at Kyushu University withdrawn
immediately in the event of any of the following:-

If the applicant is found to have made false statements on his/her application.
If the applicant is subject to disciplinary measures or has been found to have no
promise for academic achievement by the University.
If the applicant is absent from the University for a prolonged period of time without
permission.
If the student has insufficient resources to finance their studies in Kyushu University.

9. Inquiries
Inquiries by phone cannot be accepted. Written inquiries regarding this program andsubmitted materials should be addressed to:Admission Office of the LL.M. Program,
Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University,
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku,
Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
Alternatively, candidates may correspond by fax or e-mail:Fax: 81[Japan]-92-802-5407
E-mail: admission@law.kyushu-u.ac.jp

6ANNEX I
アジア開発銀行・日本奨学生プログラム対象国一覧
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
BhutanCambodia
Cook Islands
Fiji Islands
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands, Republic of theMicronesia, Federated States ofMongolia
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
Niue
Pakistan
Palau, Republic ofPapua New Guinea
Philippines
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Turkmenistan
TuvaluUzbekistan
Vanuatu
Viet Nam

アフガニスタンアルメニア
アゼルバイジャンバングラデシュ
ブータン
カンボシア
クック諸島
フィジー
グルジア
インド
インドネシアカザフスタン
キリバス
キルギス
ラオス
マレーシア
モルティブ
マーシャル諸島
ミクロネシア連邦
モンゴル
ミャンマー
ナウル
ネパール
ニウエ
パキスタン
パラオ共和国
パプアニューギニア
フィリピン
サモア
ソロモン諸島
スリランカ
タジキスタンタイ
東ティモールトンガ
トルクメニスタン
ツバル
ウズベキスタン
バヌアツ
ベトナム

7

INFORMATION SHEET(to be sent to Institution you are applying to)Last Name:First Name:

Nationality:

Date of Birth:

Sex:

Male

Female(dd/mm/yyyy)

Age:Home Address:
Street:City:
State/Province:
Home Country:

Post Code:Home Phone:
Mobile:Email:
Current Address:
Street:City:
State/Province:
Current Country:

Post Code:Phone:
Mobile:Email:
Office Address:
Street:City:
State/Province:
Business Country:

Post Code:

Office Phone:

Fax No:Mobile:Office Email:
Proposed Study Plan:
Degree:Field of Study:
Expected Commencement Date:
Are you applying to other Institutions? If so, which?

(dd/mm/yyyy)

Yes

No

Name of Institution:

Academic Background (include course you are currently enrolled in, if applicable):
Degree Obtained:
Field of Study:
Year Started:
Name of Institution:
Language of Instruction Used:
Honor(s) received:

Year Completed:
Location:Degree Obtained:
Field of Study:
Year Started:

Year Completed:

Name of Institution:

Location:

Language of Instruction Used:
Honor(s) received:

Have you been awarded an ADB-JSP Scholarship?

Yes

No

Degree:Field of Study:
University:Awarded Period (Month & Year) From:
English Proficiency

To:
Reading

Writing

Speaking

Very Good
Good
Fair

Professional History:
Present Employer:
Position:
Company:
Nature of Work:
Industry:
Products/Services:
Sector:International Organization

Date of Employment (Month & Year)

PrivateFrom:

PublicNon-profit

To:

Annual Salary (in US$):
Annual Family Income (in US$):(Please attach your latest Certificate of Employment indicating Annual Salary/Monthly Salary with signature/stamp. For Annual Family Income, submit Certificateof Employment of both parents/spouse (if married). For parents who are retired, deceased or unemployed, kindly submit Certificate issued by a local agency,
company or government with signature/stamp whichever is applicable.)

Previous Employers: Begin with your most recent employment excluding present employer. Use separate sheet if the space provided is not sufficient.
Position:
Company:
Nature of Work:
Date of Employment (Month & Year)

From:

To:

From:

To:

Annual Salary (in US$):
Position:
Company:
Nature of Work:
Date of Employment (Month & Year)
Annual Salary (in US$):Position:
Company:
Nature of Work:
Date of Employment (Month & Year)

From:

To:

From:

To:

From:

To:

Annual Salary (in US$):
Position:
Company:
Nature of Work:
Date of Employment (Month & Year)
Annual Salary (in US$):
Position:
Company:
Nature of Work:
Date of Employment (Month & Year)
Annual Salary (in US$):

Total Work Experience:Year(s):&Month(s):Year(s) in Supervisory Level:(if applicable)

While the Scholarship will provide most of your financial requirements during the study period, what other additional resources do you
have if you may need them?

Why do you want to undertake this particular area of study at this institution?

(Attach copies of academic records and mail this form to the institution where you wish to study. The institution will advise you whether or not your application
qualifies for further screening.)

Applicant’s Income Information
Applicant’s name: ______________________________________________________
Applicant’s Annual Gross Income: ________________(: currency unit) ……(1)Details if any:.

Exchange Rate: 1 USD = ______________ (: currency unit) ……………..(2)Applicant’s Annual Gross Income in USD: ________________________ (USD) ………..(1)÷(2)

If the applicant is single,
Applicant’s father’s name: ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿
His Annual Gross Income: _______________________(: currency unit) ……(3)Details if any.

Applicant’s mother’s name: ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿Her Annual Gross Income: _______________________(: currency unit) ……(4)Details if any.

Their Total Gross Income in USD: ________________________ (USD) …… {(3)+(4)}÷(2)If the applicant is married,
Applicant’s spouse’s name: ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿
His/her Annual Gross Income: _______________________(: currency unit) ……(5)Details if any.

His/her Gross Income in USD: ________________________ (USD) …………………….(5)÷(2)ADB
NO. __

LL.M. Application Form

1. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Last NameFirst

MiddleContact
Address

Nationality

E-mailPhone
Pleasepaste apassport
sized
photo
here

Age
Date of Birth
GenderM

F

2. EDUCATION HISTORY
Elementary
SchoolAttended
From – To
Secondary
School (1)Attended
From – To
Candidate Application Checklist: 1. Completed Application Form 2. Proof of English Proficiency
Date:

3. TWO Recommendation Letters 4. Transcript from University 5. Degree Certificate

ADB
Secondary
School (2)Attended
From - To
Higher
Education

AttendedFrom-To

DegreeAwardedHigher
Education

AttendedFrom-To
Total
Years of
Schooling

DegreeAwarded___ Years

3. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Name &
Address of
Employer

From - To

Position

Name &
Address of
Employer

From - To

Position

ADB
4. ENGLISH ABILITY (Please indicate your TOEFL [or equivalent] score)

5. THESIS PROPOSAL (In less than 1,000 words, please write a research proposal for a topic
that is suitable for an LL.M. program.)
PROPOSED THESIS TITLE:
SUMMARY:ADB

6. SCHOLARSHIP
If you do not receive a sholarship, are you willing to privately
finance your studies at Kyushu University?

YES

NO

7. DECLARATION & SIGNATURE
I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
I have read and understood the Privacy Policy for International Students Applying for
Admission at Kyushu Univrsity available at:
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/website/privacypolicy/internationalstudents
If this application leads to my enrolling at Kyushu University, I understand that false or
misleading information in this application may result in my enrollment at Kyushu University
being terminated.
SIGNATURE

DATE(Optional) Could you please indicate how you became aware of the LL.M. program?

RECOMMENDATION (1)
To: President of Kyushu University※To the RECOMMENDER: Please write a statement concerning the applicant, stating how long and in what connection you have
known him/her, your evaluation of his/her character, your speculation on the applicant’s potential for success as a graduate student andhis/her potential for independent research (use space below)

On behalf of(Name of Applicant):,
Family,First

MiddleCONFIDENTIAL
IMPORTANT: Please evaluate the applicant’s qualification, compared with the last 5 years students, by checking
the appropriate space below, and specifying first the group with which you have compared him/her.
QUALIFICATION

Excellent(upper 5%)Good(6-20%)

Satisfactory(21-50%)

Average or below(lower 50)

No basis forjudgement➀KNOWLEDGEIntellectual ability
Knowledge in subject ofproposed study
General knowledge➁GOOD JUDGEMENT & EXPRESSION
Imagination
Oral Expression
Written Expression➂COMMON SENSE
Industry andPerseverance
Emotional stability
Inquisitiveness &independence➃CONCLUSION(Overall potential as)
Teacher
Scholar (research fellow)
LL.M. holder
LL.D. holder
Signature_____________________________________________ Date_____________________________________________
Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Position_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Institution______________________________________________________________________________________________
Relationship to Applicant________________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number________________________________________ Fax Number______________________________________
E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________________________
We appreciate the time and effort that you have taken to provide us with these comments.

Please return this letter directly to Kyushu University OR place in a sealed envelope and return to the candidate.
Address: Admission Office of International Programs
Faculty of Law, Kyushu University
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 JAPANRECOMMENDATION (2)
To: President of Kyushu University※To the RECOMMENDER: Please write a statement concerning the applicant, stating how long and in what connection you have
known him/her, your evaluation of his/her character, your speculation on the applicant’s potential for success as a graduate student andhis/her potential for independent research (use space below)

On behalf of(Name of Applicant):,
Family,First

MiddleCONFIDENTIAL
IMPORTANT: Please evaluate the applicant’s qualification, compared with the last 5 years students, by checking
the appropriate space below, and specifying first the group with which you have compared him/her.
QUALIFICATION

Excellent(upper 5%)Good(6-20%)

Satisfactory(21-50%)

Average or below(lower 50)

No basis forjudgement➀KNOWLEDGEIntellectual ability
Knowledge in subject ofproposed study
General knowledge➁GOOD JUDGEMENT & EXPRESSION
Imagination
Oral Expression
Written Expression➂COMMON SENSE
Industry andPerseverance
Emotional stability
Inquisitiveness &independence➃CONCLUSION(Overall potential as)
Teacher
Scholar (research fellow)
LL.M. holder
LL.D. holder
Signature_____________________________________________ Date_____________________________________________
Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Position_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Institution______________________________________________________________________________________________
Relationship to Applicant________________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number________________________________________ Fax Number______________________________________
E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________________________
We appreciate the time and effort that you have taken to provide us with these comments.

Please return this letter directly to Kyushu University OR place in a sealed envelope and return to the candidate.
Address: Admission Office of International Programs
Faculty of Law, Kyushu University
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 JAPAN