On March 25, 2009, 51 students received their certifications of degree from the following programs: 1 student from the Public Policy Program, 3 students from the Development Policy Program, 26 students from the Regional Policy Program, 2 students from the Cultural Policy Program, 6 students from the Intellectual Property Program, and 13 students from the Urban Policy Program,

The Urban Policy Program, started in 2008, celebrated its first alumni on this day.

Four students received prizes for academic excellence: Mr. Kazutoshi Kanno (Public Policy Program, Kajima Corporation), Mr. Yasuki Takemura (Regional Policy Program, Yamaguchi Prefectural Government), Mr. Hidetaka Kinami (Cultural Policy Program, Agency for Cultural Affairs), and Mr. Ikuo Sumi (Urban Policy Program, Government of Gifu City).

President Hatta’s speech followed the conferring of the certifications. The President asked the alumni to be active in their work by using what they learned at GRIPS.

In his own speech, the representative of the graduating students, Mr. Tamaki Morioka (Urban Policy Program, Government of Kyoto City) confirmed that the students wanted to develop themselves by making use of their knowledge and experience at GRIPS.

This graduation ceremony marked the first time the Japanese students wore academic gowns.

On the following day, March 26, 23 students from the International Development Studies Program, who could not attend the graduation ceremony because of participation in an internship, received their certifications of degree.