Photo Credit: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hitotsubashi University is home to Japan’s leading social sciences education and research. The degree of exclusivity in specializing in such fields is exceptional in its own right. Supplemented by a huge network with other esteemed universities around the world, the university promises a huge leap in the discipline internationally.
Table of Contents
- Hitotsubashi University: Japan’s pillar for social sciences advancements
- Inside Hitotsubashi University and the opportunities for foreign students
- Attractions of Hitotsubashi University
- Summary
Hitotsubashi University: Japan’s pillar for social sciences advancements
History of Hitotsubashi University
Japan’s political, economic, and cultural center, Tokyo, houses its only national university exclusively focusing on humanities and social sciences, Hitotsubashi University. The university was first established as a private school in 1875. Then by merging with several schools at Kanda-Hitotsubashi in central Tokyo in 1885, it became the Tokyo School of Commerce. In 1920, the school became the Tokyo University of Commerce, and in 1949, it officially adopted its present name Hitotsubashi University. Since its foundation, Hitotsubashi University has nurtured business innovators and produced pioneering research, consequently pushing Japan’s advancements and contributing to an international network.
※ Hitotsubashi University, "Hitotsubashi at a Glance"
The University’s Mission
Hitotsubashi University practices exceptionally high education and research standards to nurture their students and shape them to become highly talented individuals. In addition to the university’s mission, which is “to create an intellectual and cultural property that will contribute to the building of free and peaceful political and economic societies in Japan and the world and to train those who will assume positions of leadership”, Hitotsubashi University aims to produce cultured and civil-minded leaders both in politics and business.
※ Hitotsubashi University, "Mission Statement"
In line with its rich legacy, Hitotsubashi University is renowned as a top-performing university internationally.
University ranking
Hitotsubashi University ranked 448th overall in the 2020 QS World University Ranking, 81st in the 2020 QS Asian University ranking, and 16th in the 2020 Japan University Ranking. Hitotsubashi also consistently ranked around 77 in QS Asian University Ranking and around 15th in the Japan University Ranking in the last four years.
Hitotsubashi University is a dream university for social science enthusiasts. The university provides the students with a highly effective learning environment, hence reciprocating with the students' higher learning engagement. In fact, the data gathered for the Japanese University Ranking shows that Hitotsubashi University is rated with high scores in its Engagement (78.4) and Outcome (76.6) components. Moreover, in the QS World University Ranking, Hitotsubashi University has the highest rating on its Employer Reputation components, scoring 77.8, representing the university's quality.
Within Japan, it has a reputation of being one of the hardest schools to get into in Tokyo, and the School of Law is one of the country’s best.
※ QS Top Universities, "Hitotsubashi University" ※ The World University Rankings, "Hitotsubashi University"
Writer's Pick
Inside Hitotsubashi University and the opportunities for foreign students
Specializations of Hitotsubashi University
Hitotsubashi University adheres to its motto, "Captain of Industry." As one of Japan's leading universities in social science, it offers a wide scope of undergraduate and graduate degree programs encompassing all its practices.
The undergraduate programs fall under the university's four main faculties- Faculty of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Social Sciences. The graduate programs are offered by the schools corresponding to the four faculties with the addition of the School of the Language and Society, and the School of International and Public Policies. Hitotsubashi University also offers its Global Education Program for all the aspiring foreign students. All the programs offered by the university are taught in a seminar system that gives the students the freedom to design their own study plan.
The students can freely choose what courses they take in any given school year in the seminar system. Moreover, in the later years of their stay in the university, they will choose specializations that will require them to attend a smaller class. This more personalized approach of education makes Hitotsubashi University a dream university, for they ensure the quality discussions that are the key to enriching their knowledge of their chosen fields.
The four faculties have their own visions in how they nurture their students:
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The Faculty of Commerce and Management imparts practicality in their program.
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The Faculty of Economics provides diversity.
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The Faculty of Law promotes international competence.
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The Faculty of Social Science aims to unite all social sciences under one umbrella organization.
Yet they are all developing to facilitate the advancement of globalization. All programs adhere to the Hitotsubashi University Global Education Program designed for international and Japanese students like courses conducted in English and activities that need participation in the international learning community.
Hitotsubashi University Global Education Program
Even though Hitotsubashi University offers excellent programs, some of these perks are only available in the Japanese language. To address this issue of a language barrier, Hitotsubashi University launched the Hitotsubashi University Global Education Program (HGP). This program targets the potential growth of both domestic and international students.
Under this program, many courses are taught in English. International students may also enjoy learning special courses such as Japanese Language, Japanese Affairs, and small class seminars. Japanese students who wish to improve their English can also go to the HGP subjects; likewise, international students who are fluent in the Japanese language can attend the traditional courses. Immersions and other cultural exchange activities are also available for international students if they attend the Explore Japan Seminar.
Admission procedures and scholarships for International Students
If you want to enroll in HGP, there are several ways to do it. There are currently 600 international students enrolled at Hitotsubashi University; they are either privately funded students, MEXT Scholar, or an exchange student. Each category of international students undergoes different processes of admission.
※ Hitotsubashi University Global & International, "For Prospective International Students"
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship is one of the best ways of enrolling in any university in Japan; aside from being expense-free, the Japanese Embassy's recommendation is the greatest prize. The applicant will apply for the MEXT scholarship to the Japanese Embassy of the applicant's country. There will be several screenings. If the applicant passes screenings, the Japanese government will fund the applicant's whole stay at the university.
Another way is by applying for the Exchange Student Program of one semester (6 months) or one school year. Unlike the MEXT scholarship, the applicant should be recommended by a partner university or institution. The said institution will handle the screening.
A privately funded student is the most expensive way and perhaps complex way of entering Hitotsubashi University. The applicant only needs to pass the entrance examination but will handle all the expenses such as the entrance examination fee, tuition fee, and accommodation fee. Special screenings may be conducted for some circumstances.
Attractions of Hitotsubashi University
Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The campuses and libraries
Once a student is accepted, they will spend their college life in a European-style academic city surrounded by greeneries in western Tokyo. This ambiance is one reason why Hitotsubashi University is a dream university of social science enthusiasts. Kunitachi Campus is the pride and center of the university; aside from the breath-taking sceneries of the campus, it also houses the university’s historical library.
Hitotsubashi University Library's (Central Library) bell tower is the symbol of the university. This is the main library of the whole Hitotsubashi University System. It preserves historical books such as The Prof. Schumpeter Library and His Manuscripts and Modern Japanese Economics, The Carl Menger Library, and Business History Archive.
The campus life
There are three dormitories inside the Kunitachi Campus - Residence Hall Chuwaryo, Keimeikan, and Kunitachi. There is also an International Student Dormitory on the Kodaira campus. Students also have two major annual events - the freshmen organized event Kodaira Festival in June, and Ikkyosai every fall. The university gives a warm welcome to overseas exchange students every April.
In-demand Alumni
One of the reasons for choosing Hitotsubashi University is that its alumni have a lot of employment opportunities. With the personalized structure of education partnered with its Career Support Office, the university produces highly skilled individuals absorbed by the university's partner corporations. Hitotsubashi University has also established its name by producing great political leaders, giving its fresh graduates an advantage when they start their careers in the Japanese government.
Here are some of the Hitotsubashi University alumni:
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Masayoshi Ōhira, the 68th and 69th Prime Minister of Japan,
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Toshikazu Kase, the first Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, and
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Tatsumi Kimishima, the previous president of Nintendo and former CEO and Chairman of Nintendo of America.
Summary
Japan has developed to its current advancement due to its rich civil and social standards. Hitotsubashi University has been at the forefront of Japan’s social science advancement since its foundation. Nowadays, Hitotsubashi University is focusing on globalization and is preparing to produce international leaders. Studying in this university would equip the student with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in Japan after graduating, or it might provide better opportunities than otherwise.
