Studying Business, Economics and Management in Japan

The field: business, economics, commerce and management

In Japan this field splits into economics (often quantitative and theory-led), business/commerce and management. Undergraduate degrees sit in Faculties of Economics, Commerce or Business; graduate study includes taught master's programs and research master's/doctoral routes, and separately professional MBA programs.

This is a Japan-and-field-specific guide for undergraduate and taught-master's business and economics. It is distinct from region-wide "best universities for business and MBA" comparisons and from Singapore MBA guides — here the focus is how the business and economics fields are taught and entered in Japan.

Where English-taught business and economics programs exist

Japan has several well-known English-medium undergraduate options. Keio University's PEARL (Program in Economics for Alliances, Research and Leadership) delivers a four-year economics degree in English. Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics runs an English-based degree program with departments including Economics, and its School of International Liberal Studies offers an English-medium interdisciplinary route that can include economics and business content.

At graduate level, English-medium economics and management master's and doctoral programs exist at national and private universities, some research-based and some professional. Because offerings and intake years change, confirm the current program, language and intake on each university's official page.

• Keio PEARL — English-taught economics (undergraduate)
• Waseda School of Political Science and Economics — English-based degree
• Graduate: English-medium economics/management at several universities — verify per program

Entry: academic record, English test and any subject tests

English-medium business and economics programs typically assess your academic record, an accepted English test (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent), essays or a statement, and sometimes a standardized test such as the SAT for undergraduate admission. Quantitative economics programs may weigh your maths preparation heavily.

For taught master's programs, expect transcripts, references, a statement of purpose and an English test; some management/economics master's programs consider GMAT or GRE. Exact requirements differ by program, so verify the official admissions page rather than assuming a single standard.

• Undergraduate: academic record + English test + essays; sometimes SAT
• Master's: transcripts + references + statement + English test; some accept GMAT/GRE
• Quantitative economics may emphasise maths — confirm per program

What the curriculum emphasises

Economics programs in Japan often lean quantitative — micro/macro theory, statistics, econometrics and mathematical methods — while business and commerce programs emphasise management, marketing, accounting, finance and organisational topics. English-medium programs are usually designed to be completed without Japanese, though Japanese-language courses are offered alongside.

Many programs build in international exchange, seminars and a capstone or thesis. Read the official curriculum page to see the balance of theory versus applied content and the language of each course, and check whether the degree can genuinely be completed in English end to end.

Cost, scholarships and verifying the details

Private universities (such as Keio and Waseda) and national universities set their own fees, which change yearly, so check the current tuition on each official page rather than relying on any quoted figure. Application fees also apply and are stated on the admissions page.

Scholarship routes include MEXT, JASSO and university-specific awards and tuition reductions, each with its own official eligibility and deadlines. Verify on the official scholarship pages, and never pay for a "guaranteed" award or admission — legitimate universities do not sell seats.

• Verify tuition and application fees on the official university page
• MEXT / JASSO / university scholarships — check official rules and deadlines
• Ignore any paid guarantee of admission or scholarship

Career direction (neutral)

Graduates enter roles across finance, consulting, trading companies, marketing, analytics and the public and non-profit sectors, and universities typically run structured job-hunting support and alumni networks. An economics or business degree keeps a broad range of paths open rather than pointing to one.

Working in Japan after study depends on Japan's official immigration rules for work status, separate from student status. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current rules on the official government source. This guide makes no salary, placement or ranking claims; where rankings matter to you, read them directly from the issuing body (for example QS or THE) and confirm the year.