Outline

Waseda University was founded in 1882 by Marquis Shigenobu Okuma who advocated the "harmony of western and eastern civilization". The Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies was established in July 1997 in order to contribute to the mutual benefits and development of the Asia-Pacific region. Today, a century after its foundation, Waseda University is promoting university reform under the three concepts of "Asia-Pacific", "media network" and "institutionalization of lifelong learning".

The Institute was a merger of the Institute of Social Sciences and the Institute of System Sciences. The Institute of Social Sciences had long pursued research in the field of social science concerning modern Japan, while the Institute of System Sciences had been involved in collaborative research commissioned by industries and the government, and conducting business education targeting business employees. The Institute was formerly composed of two clusters: international relations (including area and policy studies) and international business. However, in 2008, the business cluster was separated from the Institute. The Institute today is largely composed of full-time faculty members of the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, and is run according to the rules of the Waseda University Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. Exchange researchers from outside the university, visiting scholars and foreign researchers are also part of the Institute community..

The Institute focuses on the rapidly changing and developing Asia-Pacific region, aiming to construct a research and education network as well as becoming the source of abundant research results and information in diverse fields. In particular, it is dedicated to pursuing world-class research.
Today's major research activities of the Institute are: 1) Research Group activities by researchers in and outside the Institute; 2) Research based on Grants –in –Aid for Scientific Research of JSPS ; 3) Research based on subsidies from Waseda University for specific research purposes and annual funds for faculty research. Research outcomes are published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies and Research Paper Series. The Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies was first published in 2000, the latest being Vol. 11, which was published in October 2008(For the full table of contents, please refer to the publishing section on our website). The Research Paper Series will begin publication in 2008. Furthermore, the "Journal of the Graduate School of Asia -Pacific Studies", a collection of articles by graduate students in the doctoral program, is also among the Institute's publications. As of October 2008, 16 volumes have been published.

In addition to research and publishing activities, the Institute also provides special lectures and public lecture series for the dissemination of its results.

The Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary and aims to further improve the quantity and quality of its studies. We look forward to your continued guidance and support.