Global Leadership Fellows Program (GLFP)Waseda University

Fellows from our partner universities in the U.S. and Waseda Fellows returning from their one-year study abroad will be enrolled in the Global Leadership Fellows Forum and the U.S.-Japan Zemi.

The Global Leadership Fellows Forum provides a place for the community building among U.S.-Japan GLFP Fellows. All the Fellows will meet regularly every week to discuss global issues and work together for the group projects.

1. Global Perspective

GLFP Fellows are expected to develop a global perspective through analysis and discussion of various issues in global society. Topics for analysis include global peace, global environment, and human rights. While students have an opportunity to analyze these issues, they are encouraged to understand the situation in a global context. Students are also welcomed to bring their own interests and agenda to share and discuss with other fellows in the forum.

2. Leadership Experience

GLFP Fellows are encouraged to be actively engaged in a discussion and to lead the groups for discussion and research projects throughout the academic year. Fellows are expected to work together to understand perspectives of others who have different academic and cultural backgrounds. Fellows have practical experience to develop leadership skills through cross-cultural interaction and cooperation while understanding different views and opinions. These experiences would be an ideal opportunity for the fellows to practice a leadership for the prospective leaders who expand their horizon and shape our global future.

3. Research Project

Global Leadership Fellows Forum provides a place for the community building among the GLFP Fellows. All the Fellows will meet regularly every week to discuss global issues and work on research projects about global issues. Research projects are conducted individually or as a group (subject to change). Fellows learn from each other to understand different approaches and perspectives to analyze the issues and discuss the possible solutions. These experiences would be the ideal opportunity to exercise and practice leadership for the prospective leaders who expand their horizon and shape our global future. (mandatory)※

A “Zemi” is a unique Japanese-style seminar with an internationally acclaimed small-group pedagogical method. In this Zemi, students work on the subject in a specific discipline in Social Science under a close supervision by professor.

GLFP Felows will be enrolled in zemi course. (offered by School of Commerce/10-15 students enrolled)

1. Academic Study

GLFP Fellows are expected to have a close reading of texts and discussions in a specific discipline in the field of Social Science. Topics for analysis and discussion may include the U.S.-Japan relations or comparative study of the U.S. and Japan. By gaining academic knowledge and theories in a discipline, students would develop another field of academic expertise to strengthen and deepen their academic study.

2. Research Project

GLFP Fellows are expected to conduct a research and write a research paper under the guidance of professors of Zemi. Their research projects would be presented to receive feedback by professors and students in class.

Toake Endoh (Professor, Center for International Education)
Global Leadership Fellows Program (GLFP) Directed Seminar

Zemi Syllabus

Zemi Syllabus – Prof. Toake Endoh (2026 Spring)
Zemi Syllabus – Prof. Toake Endoh (2026 Fall)

What is Zemi?

Introductory video about Japanese unique pedagogical style called “zemi”