[Graduate School of Project Design] Applications Now Open for the 2027 Academic Year

## [Graduate School of Project Design] Applications Now Open for the 2027 Academic Year

The Graduate School of Project Design (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Risa Tanaka) began accepting applications on June 1, 2026, for the 2027 academic year enrollment.

### Generating Questions Rather Than Seeking Answers

Founded in 2012 with the authorization of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Graduate School of Project Design is a professional graduate school for working adults dedicated to the specialized study of "project design." While many business schools and MBAs focus on management analysis and existing business management, this institution emphasizes "how to generate new businesses and values needed by future society." In an era where society and market environments are changing rapidly, the ability to learn from existing success models is insufficient. Professionals must possess the power to conceive ideas, visualize new value for people, regions, and companies, and guide those visions to realization. Students explore various themes such as new business development, regional revitalization, business succession, entrepreneurship, and organizational reform to shape their own, their organizations', or their regions' futures.

### Nurturing Ideas Into Feasible Projects

Core "ideas" are essential to generating new businesses. Through a unique curriculum that systematizes project design, the school trains students' imaginative and creative skills from multiple perspectives. Ideas are not left as mere thoughts; students refine them while examining marketability, social relevance, and feasibility, ultimately synthesizing them into a "Project Design Plan," which replaces the traditional master's thesis.

### Diverse Perspectives Generate New Ideas

The school gathers working professionals from diverse backgrounds, including business owners, government officials, healthcare/education professionals, business successors, and entrepreneurs. Guided by both active practitioners and academic faculty specialized in their fields, students deepen their research while bridging theory and practice. Subjects incorporating liberal arts, such as philosophy, history, and natural science, encourage students to face essential questions. Through dialogue with diverse knowledge and values, they cultivate the ability to envision and shape new businesses and futures that they could not reach alone.

### Application Guidelines

- **Degree**: Master of Project Design
- **Graduate School**: Graduate School of Project Design, Major in Project Design
- **Tracks**: Project Design Track, Business Succession (Next-Generation Management Design) Track
- **Capacity**: 120 students total across all campuses
- **Enrollment**: April 2027
- **Campuses**: Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sendai

### Hybrid-Flexible Classes

The school adopts "Hybrid-Flexible" classes that allow students to participate both in person and online, making it accessible to those residing far from the campuses or abroad. (Some level of in-person participation is recommended.)

### Degree Requirements

- **Standard Term**: 2 years
- **Requirements**: Enrolled for at least 2 years, earn at least 34 credits including required courses, and pass the examination of the Project Design Plan.

### Tuition

- Admission Fee: 200,000 JPY
- 1st-Year Tuition: 1,600,000 JPY
- 2nd-Year Tuition: 1,600,000 JPY
- **Total**: 3,400,000 JPY

*National subsidy programs (e.g., Education and Training Benefit System, Human Resource Development Support Subsidy) are available (conditions apply).

### Admissions Process

- **Selection**: Document screening, written examination (essay), and interview.
- **Schedule**: October, December, January, February (Details in the application guide; early application/examination is possible.)

### Information Sessions

Information and individual consultation sessions are held at each campus and online. For the latest schedule, please visit the official website:
https://www.mpd.ac.jp/events/conference

### Admissions Information

For detailed information regarding application, please visit:
https://www.mpd.ac.jp/admissions/