Contact/FAQs

No, it isn't. You are only able to submit your application via online web application system; TAO during each application period. You can create your TAO account before the application period, so it is strongly recommended to create it in advance from the link below.

Online Graduate Admission Application Platform

No, we only accept your application via Online Graduate Admission Application Platform: TAO. You can upload all required documents from TAO. Please note that no hard copy of your application documents are required to send by postal mail.

Only scanned copies of official transcripts and the graduation certificate can be submitted during the application process. However, please be advised that original transcripts and certificates must be presented or submitted upon acceptance.

Please make payments of your application fee in the WEB application system; TAO. 

In that case, please submit a scanned certificate of expected graduation together with your final mark sheets.

There is no minimum GPA requirements for application.

There is no difference among those application phases.

If an applicant is contacted for an interview, an interview via in-person/online technologies (Zoom) will be conducted on the specified dates. The interview method will be notified via in-person or online technologies (Zoom) according to their current living place.

In-person interviews will be held on the Soka University campus in Hachioji, Tokyo, in the Global Square Building, on the specified dates.

For online interviews, the applicant is responsible for ensuring that suitable technology is available in their country of residence to perform the interview. Online interviews are required to verify the applicant's identity. Scheduling the interview time will be at the interviewers' discretion, but every reasonable effort will be made to consider time zone differences.

Applicants are required to submit a photocopy of acceptable English test scores achieved within the past two years, as listed below:
- TOEFL iBT
- IELTS
- Duolingo

*TOEFL iBT Special home edition and IELTS online are currently accepted.
*Duolingo is only available for the applicants to the Graduate School of Economics, Economics Major, International Business Studies.

You are able to directly send your score result from each English testing institution.
Please refer to the information below.
・TOEFL iBT University Code: B413 
・IELTS: Please select "Soka University Graduate School" on their test taker page. 
・Duolingo: Please select "Soka University-Graduate School of Economics" on their test taker page.

*Duolingo is only available for the applicants to the Graduate School of Economics, Economics Major, International Business Studies. 

Each English Medium Program has different requirements for English proficiency.

For the Graduate school of International Peace Studies

All prospective applicants including those who identify themselves as native English speakers must demonstrate their ability to successfully complete an English-medium graduate program by providing a photocopy of acceptable TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test scores achieved within the past two years. English language proficiency of TOEFL iBT 90+ / IELTS 7.0+ is expected for successful applicants.

For the Graduate school of Economics, International Business Studies

All applicants to the Graduate School of Economics, IBSP, including those who identify themselves as native English speakers, must demonstrate their ability to complete an English-medium graduate program by providing a photocopy of an acceptable English test score achieved within the past two years.
[Minimum English Proficiency Requirement] TOEFL-iBT 80+, IELTS 6.0+, or Duolingo 105+ 

*The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, for under an hour for only . The test is taken via a computer with a camera. It includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample, which is shared with [Soka University-Graduate School of Economics] when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.

For the Graduate school of Letters, International Language Education; TESOL,

If you are a native English speaker under the definition below, you are NOT required to submit a score of TOEFL iBT or IELTS.
Please submit photocopies of high school and university diploma instead.

*Definition of “Native English Speaker” in TESOL.

• Those who have studied/used English from infancy
• Those who employ English as their primary language on a daily basis
• Those whose command of English is superior to any other language in which they are fluent
• Those possessing sociolinguistic/linguistic English language proficiency in terms of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation

We cannot accept TOEIC test. Also, We cannot accept Institutional test scores such as TOEFL-ITP test.

If you apply for the International Business Studies Program (IBSP), applicants need to look for a future supervisor at Soka University to write a research plan.

Please refer to the attached link for our faculty list in IBSP. 
Faculty List in IBSP

Their research field can be searched through the website below.
Research fields the IBSP faculty

No, it is not. The degree awarded upon completion of the program is

As for the tuition and scholarship information, please refer to the link below.

It is up to what courses you will take in our Master's program. Some courses may require you to purchase your study materials with additional costs. Please check the Course Description and Syllabus at our website in advance.

From the 2025 academic year, the graduate school scholarship system for international students will be made a major change.
The Soka University Graduate School Academic Fees Exemption Scholarship for International Students (tuition waiver program), the Soka University Makiguchi Memorial Educational Foundation Scholarship for International Students (Master's Program only), and the International Student Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant Program will be integrated into one scholarship, the "Soka University Graduate School Scholarship for International Students".

For more information, please visit our website below;

There are some part-time job opportunities available at Soka University. International graduate students can work as a Teaching Assistant, as staff at World Language Center, or at a cafeteria on campus. 

You can take part-time jobs with the visa status of STUDENT, if you get Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted. You can apply for the permission easily during your immigration inspection upon arriving at the airport. Otherwise, you would need to apply at the Immigration Bureau after entering Japan and it will take around 2 weeks.

Unfortunately, on-campus accommodation at Soka University is basically for the students of undergraduate, exchange and non-degree programs, and is not available for graduate students. Alternatively, the university rents off-campus apartments on behalf of international graduate students and provides them to students upon their request. These apartments are located within a 15 to 25 minute-walk to campus, and cost approximately JPY 35,000 to 50,000 per month.

The apartments would be single rooms. Sharing room including family type room is not provided.

The utilities fees such as electricity, water, gas and internet fees are not included in the rent, so students need to pay those fees additionally.

The off-campus accommodation for international graduate students is a year contract. Therefore, students cannot shift to another apartment for the first year during their contract period. 
For the Spring entry students, the contract period starts from April to March. For the Fall entry students, the contract period starts from September to August.

Yes. For more information, please see the link below.
Cafeteria at Soka University

Vegetarian food option is very limited on campus cafeteria, however, you can find some food without meat and fish food on campus. 

There is an on-campus health center at Soka University; however, in case of hospitalization, surgery, and illness, it is highly recommended for international students to join National Health Insurance in Japan. With this insurance, 70% of medical expenses will be covered. The insurance fee would be about JPY10,000-15,000 per year. The International Affairs Office will organize a tour of the city office in September, and international students can join the insurance at the city office. Please see the information about National Health Insurance from HERE.

Laptop will not be provided by the university. Desktop computers are currently available on campus where students can login with their student ID, however, it will not be available after AY2026.