JDS LL.D. Program

Application Guidelines(For October 2025 Admissions)

1. Introduction
Please read the following Application Guidelines carefully before submitting anapplication.
Kyushu University’s LL.D. program offers students the unique opportunity of preparing adoctoral thesis in English whilst studying at a Japanese university. Participants will
pursue a closely supervised three-years program of doctoral-level research prior tosubmitting a final dissertation.
The doctoral thesis may be written in any field of law subject agreed in consultation withthe academic supervisors and approved by the faculty.
Further details on the LL.D. program are available at:
http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/
Please note these guidelines only cover admission for the LL.D. Program in Law for
graduates of the JDS program. If you have not graduated from the JDS program at
Kyushu University, you are not eligible to apply for this program.

2. Purpose of Program
Kyushu University’s JDS LL.D. program offers students the unique opportunity of
preparing a doctoral thesis in English whilst studying at a Japanese university within theframework of a JICA-sponsored JDS program.
Students are expected to write a doctoral thesis on any law-related topic within threeyears of enrolment. As such, the program is designed to provide students with the skills
necessary to complete high-level academic research in law.

13. Subject Areas for Doctorates
The doctoral thesis may be on any law-related subject agreed in consultation with theacademic supervisors and approved by the LL.D. Faculty Committee.
A full list of professors and their research interests can be found at:
http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish

4. Eligibility Requirements
For admission to the JDS LL.D. program, applicants must meet the following eligibility
requirements:
1. In principle, all applicants must have obtained a master’s degree within theframework of the JDS program from Kyushu University, Graduate School of Law.
2. A good command of English. A TOEFL score of 100+ (Internet-based) orequivalent is required for non-native English speakers.
3. A citizen of a selected country that is operating the JDS Doctoral Program.
4. Currently employed, in a permanent position, by a government or other publicagency.
5. Under 45 years old as of April 1, 2025 (i.e., born on, or after, April 2, 1979).
*The age restriction depends on the country. Please contact the local JDS office.
6. At least two years of full-time work experience as a government employee, after
obtaining a Master’s degree, at the time of the application deadline.
7. A proper understanding of the purpose of the JDS program as described in Section
2 above and a willingness to contribute to the development of the home country
after completion of the doctoral thesis.
8. An official letter from the applicant’s organization giving permission toparticipate on the program (the “Official Nomination Letter”).
9. Must be mentally and physically in good health.
Please note that individuals that have already received a doctoral degree at an overseas
university or receive (or will receive) financial support from other foreign funding
agencies are not eligible for this program.
JDS doctoral scholarships are offered in selected countries. For further information,please contact the local JDS office.

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5. Application Materials
Applicants are requested to submit by registered airmail or equivalent (i.e., FederalExpress, DHL etc.), an original and one copy of the following Application Materials
to the Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University, before October 25, 2024.
Applications arriving after the deadline cannot be accepted.
Application materials:
1. Completed LL.D. Application Form (form attached below). Please note: (1) It is very
important that the name included in Section 1 of the Application Form is the same as thename in your passport. The Student Visa of successful applicants will be issued with thename provided in Section 1, and it can cause problems at immigration when entering
Japan if the names are different. (2) Nationality. You must indicate if you have dual
nationality and/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 andthat which the applicant is currently attending. The transcript should include a clear
indication of the overall GPA, if the school uses a GPA system.
4. Two Letters of Recommendation from the supervisor in the employing body withpersonal knowledge of the applicant or a professor, or the Dean, from a university that theapplicant has previously attended (forms attached below).
Please note: The Letter of Recommendation cannot be written by a professor of Kyushu
University or former professor of Kyushu University.
5. For non-native speakers, proof of English proficiency must be provided. A TOEFL
score of 100+ (Internet-based) or equivalent is required for non-native English speakers.
6. A copy of any master’s thesis that has been written in English OR a substantial pieceof written work in English.
7. An official letter from the applicant’s employer giving permission to participate on theJDS LL.D. program (the Official Nomination Letter).

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All application materials should be typed in English on the attached forms or additional
sheets of A4 paper.
In the event materials required above are in a language other than English or Japanese, atranslation into one of these languages must be attached.
Application materials will not be returned to applicants.

6. Application Procedure
After receiving the application, the LL.D. Admissions Committee of Kyushu University
may decide to hold an interview.
Interviews will be held by either Zoom or telephone.
Applicants who pass the first screening by Kyushu University will then need to submit anapplication to JICA. Applicants should check with the local JICA office in their homecountry as to the relevant procedure and deadline.
In the event that a candidate is successful, a reference letter from a professor of Kyushu
University will be provided for submission to JICA.
In the event that a candidate is unsuccessful, a letter will be provided from the LL.D.
Admissions Committee explaining the reasons. Please do not contact individual
professors regarding this program or the admissions procedure.
Applicants will be informed of the result of their application by the end of November
2024.

7. Tuition & Fees
All applicable university fees for this program will be covered by JICA.

8. Warning
Students will have their enrollment at Kyushu University withdrawn immediately in theevent of any of the following:4

-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.

9. Inquiries
Inquiries by phone cannot be accepted. Candidates may correspond by e-mail:admission@law.kyushu-u.ac.jp

10. Submission
Applicants are requested to submit all materials by registered airmail or equivalent (i.e.
Federal Express, DHL etc.).
All application materials should be addressed to:Admission Office of the LL.D. Program,Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University,
East Zone 2744 Motooka, Nishi-ku,
Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.

5lld jdsNO. __LL.D. Program Application Form

1. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Last NameFirstMiddle

Contact
Address

Nationality

E-mailPhone
Pleasepaste apassport
sizedphotohere

Age
Date of BirthGenderMF2. EDUCATION HISTORY
Elementary
SchoolAttended
From – To
Secondary
School (1)Attended
From – To

Candidate Application Checklist: 1. Completed Application Form 2. Proof of English Proficiency 3. TWO Recommendation Letters
Date:

4. Transcript from University 5. Degree Certificate 6. Master's Thesis

ll.d. jds

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 ofEmployer

From - To

Position

Name &Address of
Employer

From - To

Position

ll.d. jds

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

5. THESIS PROPOSAL (In less than 2,000 words, please write a research proposal for a topic that issuitable for an LL.D. program. For further instructions, please see Section 3 on the web page of each program.)
Please indicate how this research would contribute to your future career and development of your home country.

PROPOSED THESIS TITLE:
SUMMARY:

ll.d. jds

6. 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 University 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.
SIGNATUREDATE(Optional) Could you please indicate how you became aware of the LL.D. program at Kyushu
University? (e.g. Internet, friend, poster, pamphlet etc.)

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,FirstMiddle

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,FirstMiddle

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