Q. It seems that there are quite a number of categories of “qualifications for applying”. What does each of these qualifications entail specifically?

A. In general ,there are 3 categories of “qualifications for applying”. They are as follows: (1) general applicant; (2) specially selected applicant who is a member of the working society; and (3) applicant of a foreign nationality. A “specially selected applicant who is a member of the working society” is someone with formal working experience, and who would like to enroll in our graduate school as a degree-seeking student. (Please refer to the column on the “special screening for members of the working society” below for more details). On the other hand, an “applicant of a foreign nationality” is an applicant who has received his or her formal educational training abroad. During the first round of screening, an applicant who falls into this category will be tested for his or her proficiency in a foreign language, differently from that of Japanese students. (Please refer to the column on “applicant of a foreign nationality” below, for more details). All applicants other than those who fall into the 2 above-mentioned categories are “general applicants”. Please take note too, of the fact that applicants who passed the first stage of screening will be required to submit several reports on specific themes such as their research proposal. The reports which are to be submitted differ according to the category of “qualifications for applying”, which the applicant falls into. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you submit your reports based on the requirements of the particular category which you belong to.