Program in Brief

Fosters future national leaders in countries in Asia and other regions and builds up comprehensive human networks among the leaders of nations in the field of Government and Local Governance.

• Program Director: Vice President, Professor Hirofumi Takada
• Deputy Director (School of Government): Professor Mikitaka Masuyama
• Degrees Offered: Master of Public Administration / Master of Public Policy
• Scholarship (for International Students Only) : Japanese Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [MEXT])
• Language of Instruction: English
• Time Schedule:
  • Program Duration…1 year
  • Enrollment…October
  • Graduation…September
• How to Apply: Click here
• YLP Brochure: Click here

Young Leaders Program (YLP) was introduced by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2001. The objectives of the program are to

1. Foster future national leaders in designated countries
2. Build up comprehensive human networks among the leaders of nations
3. Establish friendly relationships among the countries involved, including Japan
4. Improve the quality of policy making in the participating countries

The program is also designed to expand students’ comparative as well as historical knowledge of international/regional politics and economics while providing them with an in-depth understanding of Japanese politics and economy.

Target Group

This program is open to exceptionally promising young government officials with considerable working experiences in the area of public administration. In principle, a minimum of three years working experience in the field in the applicant’s home country is a prerequisite for admission to the program.

Students will be admitted on the basis of an appraisal of their potential to become future leaders at home, to play important roles in their countries’ development, and to maintain the lasting friendship and trust of Japan and other countries around the world.

We also accept Japanese students.

YLP Japan (Application Target: Japanese) Admissions : Click here (Japanese only)
YLP Japan Brochure: Click here (Japanese only)

Program Design

In addition to School of Government which was introduced in 2001, GRIPS started YLP-School of Local Governance in 2009.

The curriculum for both courses covers a wide range of topics concerning public administration and policy formulation, and also offers the opportunity for intensive discussion with politicians, high-level government officials, corporate directors, journalists, and other Japanese leaders. The program also includes Field Trip/Workshop I-II and a final paper based on Independent Study/Research. There are opportunities to make policy research in collaboration with other institutions such as central government.

School of Government Curriculum 2024/2025 (as of April 2024)

School of Local Governance Curriculum 2024/2025 (as of April 2024)

Career Destinations

Graduates from the YLP in principle return to their former governmental organizations to become leaders in their respective organizations. To name a few:

Origin and Affiliation of Students (as of March 2024)

Young Leaders Program: List of Recommending Authorities

Recent Theses