The principal aim of the APPP is to meet Asia's need for trained professionals who can take on economic policy formulation and implementation based on a firm understanding of theory and practice related to fiscal, monetary, and other public policies.

Public policy authorities play important roles in mobilizing resources through taxation and borrowing, allocating these resources for key social and infrastructural services, as well as maintaining monetary and financial stability. The tasks are to be performed simultaneously with a focus on sustaining sound economic growth and ensuring social equity. These are significant challenges.

To meet these challenges, professionals dedicated to public service need a quality education and training. They need to be equipped with analytical skills, an understanding of best practices, and policy formulation capacity in macroeconomic management, public finance, fiscal and monetary operations, and other relevant areas so that they can effectively contribute to policy processes. Their contribution to economic policymaking will serve to complement a well-functioning political decision-making process.

The APPP master's program targets young professionals in Asian governments, central banks, and other policy-related organizations. However, the door is also open to others who aspire to study public policy. The APPP has been and continues to be an important stepping stone for such individuals to become full-fledged fiscal, monetary, or financial economists; economic planners; policy analysts; and policy makers in their countries or in international organizations. All courses are offered in English, and support is provided for those whose native language is not English.

The APPP has no funds of its own for student scholarships. However, several outside scholarships are available for APPP students. The APPP works closely with scholarship sponsors (e.g., International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the Japanese government) in the selection of scholarship recipients.

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World politics has undergone a considerable transformation. Transnational issues that cannot be solved by only one country have increased; these include global warming, financial crises, terrorism--just to name a few. On the one hand, the nature of global issues necessitates being tackled by various kinds of actors collectively. On the other hand, technological progress has expanded the network among actors in every part of the world, making global governance possible. Multilayered governance requires people who can adjust to changes and demonstrate originality, creativity, and a solid understanding of international relations.

Given this global situation, the FSS within the Global Governance Program aims to produce talented individuals who have specialized knowledge in the fields of international relations, international history, and international law, in addition to crucial skills for policy analysis, formulation, and implementation. Our goal is to nurture high-level practitioners who will play proactive roles in the advancement of diplomatic and international interests.

The FSS was established originally to accept mid-career students from abroad. Students in this sub-program can complete the master's program by taking courses taught in English only. Application guidelines are usually announced in December for enrollment in September. Students are expected to complete their studies in two years.

This sub-program is offered in cooperation with the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) funded by the government of Japan. The program has accepted students from Asian countries with practical experiences in foreign service and a profound awareness of policy issues, as well as the enthusiasm to play active roles in various arenas of the international community.

In October 2014, we expanded the program to target not only Asian public officers with the JDS but also those international students and mid-career officers who wished to study international relations and acquire a master's degree in Tokyo by taking courses in English. Please note that applicants for the JDS should submit the JDS application before applying to the FSS.

Since academic year 2024, we accept not only foreign nationals but also Japanese.

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