Waseda Business School
(Graduate School of Business and Finance)

Here you can find experiences and encounters that will unlock your potential

Waseda Business School (WBS) was reorganized into the Business School with the aim of providing the world’s highest quality education in Japan. 2026 will mark its 10th anniversary. As a result of the school’s unified efforts to improve the quality of education, promote diversity among faculty and students, and encourage high-impact research and international collaborative research, WBS has continued to challenge itself and evolve, earning high praise from alumni, current students, related companies and university counterparts alike. It has also earned a high reputation internationally, receiving two international accreditations, EQUIS and AACSB.

As the world changes at an unprecedented pace, the business environment is becoming more complex and unpredictable. A global perspective is now essential, even if the business activities are mainly domestic. In addition, it is necessary to be broadly aware of technological innovations such as generative AI, geopolitical risks and diversification of values. Now that leaders are required to have higher perspectives, deeper insights, and stronger ethics than ever before, the role expected of business schools to train such talent is expanding and becoming more transformative.

On the other hand, the motivation and goals of people studying at business schools are also diversifying. In addition to the goals of “I would like to use this opportunity to advance my career or change my career” or “I would like to improve my own company,” more and more people are studying at WBS with the aspirations of “I would like to return to my hometown and develop my family business,” or “I would like to contribute to the revitalization of the region through business.”

To pursue the WBS mission at a higher level while responding to the needs of society, companies and businessmen that are becoming more diverse, WBS must adapt to changes. The reorganization of WBS programs and the curriculum reforms from 2026 aim to respond to these changes in a future-oriented way and even to lead the changes ahead of time.

We have revamped our Japanese full-time and evening MBA programs with the core theme of cultivating holistic leaders with a global mindset. WBS has an excellent balance of experienced practitioners and research faculty, all of whom share the mission of practicing actionable management knowledge and conduct lectures and seminars with an awareness of business application. We also have outstanding and ambitious students of diverse backgrounds from all over the world. The stimulation provided by this environment will help you to objectively view your current situation, strengths, and find clearer goals and aspirations. In that sense, I see business school as a place to unlock possibilities, to remove limitations and greatly expand one’s own possibilities. “Zemi” (Seminars), which symbolize the dynamic learning environment at WBS, will be the best opportunity for this. As you delve deeper into your snterests and concerns through “Zemi” discussions and writing research papers, new possibilities will gradually become more concrete. It is because you have a greater sense of resolution about your future choices. It also helps you make decisions and act with greater ease.

There is no doubt that the first or second year of study at WBS will be challenging, with lectures, seminars, project work and writing papers. The experience of facing healthy stress, accumulating ingenuity and the effort put into the work will help you grow as a person and open doors to new possibilities you never imagined. The faculty and staff at WBS will fully support you as you take your first steps toward this challenge. We hope that through the WBS new program and your personal efforts, you will broaden your horizons, train your thinking and expand your future options in your career and life.

Prof. IKEGAMI, Jusuke
Dean,
Waseda Business School