Graduate School of Asia-Pacific StudiesWaseda University

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 (WIAPS) 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 visiting 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) WIAPS Research Groups Activities by researchers in and outside the Institute; 2) Research sponsored by JSPS Grants – in –Aid for Scientific Research ; 3) Research sponsored by the Waseda University Grants for Special Research Projects. Research outcomes are published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, Research Paper Series and Research Material Series. The Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies was first published in 2000, the latest being Vol. 50, which was published in March 2025 (For the full table of contents, please refer to the publishing section on our website). The Research Paper Series and the Research Material Series began their publications in 2010 and 7 Research Paper Series and 11 Research Material Series have been published as of March 2025. 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 March 2025, 49 volumes have been published.

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

Throughout these activities, the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies aims to further improve the quantity and quality of its studies. We look forward to your continued guidance and support.

As one of way of giving back to society, WIAPS publishes journals and research report series on the findings and results of daily research and educational activities.

Publications

• 「Journal of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies」
• 「Journal of the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies」
• 「The Research Paper Series」
• 「The Research Material Series」

For details of these publications, please click here.

WIAPS/GSAPS hosts public lectures/seminars as well as symposiums through the year for the dissemination of academic research outcomes. WIAPS/GSAPS invites various lecturers/ speakers from Waseda University including WIAPS/GSAPS faculty members as well as leading scholars and experts from the public and private sectors and from other educational institutions all over the world. These events offer an international forum for fostering intellectual exchange and discussion on diverse topics and issues.
For more information on public lectures/seminars, please click here.