Program in Brief

Educates mid-career professionals in local or national governments and international organizations in the skills needed for policy analysis and policy management.Educates leaders, public managers, and public policy analysts in the policy tools and ethical principles needed for democratic and efficient governance in the public policy arena.

• Program Director: Professor Makoto Tanaka
• Associate Director: Professor Hozumi Morohosi
• Associate Director: Professor Hyoung-kyu Chey
• Degrees Offered
  • Master of Public Policy
  • Master of Public Administration
• Scholarship
  For International Students Only:
  • Japanese Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [MEXT])
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) Target countries for ADB Scholarship
  • JICA

• Language of Instruction: English
• Time Schedule:
  • Program Duration…1 year
  • Enrollment…October
  • Graduation…September
• How to Apply: Click here

The Program of Public Policy (PPP) is the oldest, largest, and most flexible of all the programs at GRIPS. This flagship program of GRIPS has roots going back to 1977 and the establishment of Japan’s first public policy institute, the Graduate School of Policy Sciences (GSPS). An umbrella organization, the PPP has produced a steady stream of highly qualified managers and leaders in many important areas of public policy. Graduates of this program become part of an international network of policy professionals.

The one-year program (MP1) equips managers and leaders with the fundamental skills and knowledge needed for policy analysis, implementation and evaluation.

Target Group

Mid-career professionals in local or national governments and international organizations with excellent academic and work credentials and with strong leadership and managerial potential.The primary target of MP1 consists of mid-career public officials with excellent academic and work credentials, commitment to public service, and with strong managerial and leadership potential. A secondary target consists of individuals with the capacity for and commitment to high-quality public policy research. Applications are invited from officials and staff of national and local governments, as well as other international and domestic organizations concerned with public policy analysis and management.

We also accept Japanese students.

Program Design

The Program of Public Policy consists of core courses, concentration courses, and elective courses. All MP1 students are provided a common interdisciplinary and analytical foundation　through the core courses. Students acquire more specialized　knowledge by selecting courses in one of four concentration　areas: Economic Policy, International Development Studies, International Relations, and　Public Policy. A wide range of elective　courses offers students the opportunity to broaden and/or deepen　their knowledge. Practical courses are offered by government　officials with extensive　experience in actual policy formulation　and implementation. In the Summer Program, students work in　interdisciplinary teams on important real-world policy issues. This　combination of academic and practical knowledge is the hallmark　of a GRIPS education.The curriculum is made up of an introductory course in policy studies, policy debate seminars and a wide-variety of recommended and elective courses. All MP1 students are provided a common interdisciplinary and analytical foundation through the required courses. Students acquire more specialized knowledge by taking recommended courses. A wide range of elective courses offers students the opportunity to broaden and/or deepen their academic and pragmatic skills. In particular, GRIPS core courses are strongly recommended for all students at GRIPS, including PPP students. Practical courses are offered by government officials with extensive experience in actual policy formulation and implementation. The combination of academic and practical knowledge is the hallmark of a GRIPS education.

Click below for details of concentrations: 　
Economic Policy 　
International Development Studies 　
International Relations 　
Public Policy

One-year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP1) Curriculum 2023/2024 (as of October 2023)

Please see GRIPS Bulletin for brief descriptions of courses offered.

NIBAYAHI Ken

Origin and Affiliation of Students (as of October 2022)

Title of Policy Report AY2022

• Changing Dynamics in the Aid Industry – A Case Study for Self-Reliance of Uganda
• Impact of Education on Married Women Labor Force Participation in Bangladesh: An Empirical Analysis
• Effect of Higher Capital Requirements on the Profitability of Philippine Rural and Cooperative Banks
• Assessing the Relationship Between Foreign Aid and Poverty in Asia
• Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Small and Medium Enterprises Sector: The Case of the Maldives
• Risk Management Policies against Sediment Disasters intensified by Climate Change
• Understanding How Much Firm-Level Characteristics Impact Entrepreneur Gender-Firm Performance in Six Developing Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa
• The Political Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Lao PDR