GRIPS (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies), Tokyo: Programs, Scholarships, Tuition, and Careers for International Students

If you’re aiming for a career in public service, economic policy, disaster management, or international security—and you want Tokyo as your classroom—the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) is one of Japan’s most focused graduate schools for policy professionals. With compact class sizes, strong ties to government ministries, and programs taught entirely in English, GRIPS attracts mid-career officials and future policy leaders from more than 50 countries every year. This guide introduces GRIPS in plain terms: who studies there, what you’ll learn, how much it costs, where graduates go, and what life looks like for international students in Tokyo.

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — Symbolic Photos

Quick Facts

Type	National (National University Corporation). Official site
Total Students	407 (as of May 2025). Facts & Figures
Campuses	Roppongi Campus (Minato City, Tokyo). GRIPS Brochure
Faculties / Schools (English-medium programs)	Master’s: Young Leaders Program (YLP); Public Policy (MP1/MP2); Macroeconomic Policy Program (MEP, 1-year & 2-year); Public Finance Program (Tax / Customs); Economics, Planning & Public Policy (Indonesia Linkage – EPP); ASEAN Initiatives Program; Disaster Management Policy Program (DMP); Maritime Safety & Security Policy Program (MSP). Doctoral: Policy Analysis Program (5-year); GRIPS Global Governance Program (G-cube); Security & International Studies; Science, Technology & Innovation Policy; Disaster Management (3-year). Degree Programs (official)
Tasas de matrícula	Tuition: ¥642,960 / year; Admission Fee: ¥282,000 (one-time); Application Fee: ¥30,000. Scholarships / Tuition & Fees
Gender Ratio	Approx. 34% women (140/407), 66% men, based on program-level counts (May 2025). Our Students (by program)
International Students	60% of students are international. Facts & Figures
Students per Staff	~5.4 students per faculty member (faculty-to-student ratio 1:5.4). Facts & Figures

Campus Maps

Roppongi Campus (Main)

Address: 7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

GRIPS was established in 1997 to train policy professionals who can analyze complex public problems and design practical solutions. Unlike comprehensive universities, GRIPS is purpose-built: a graduate-only institution that concentrates on public policy, economics, governance, security, and disaster management in an applied, practitioner-facing way. Over time, the university has evolved in step with Japan’s higher-education reforms. In 2004, GRIPS became a national university corporation, a status that gave it greater managerial flexibility while keeping it within the national public university framework. The following year, the school relocated to its dedicated Roppongi campus in central Tokyo, where it continues to host graduate programs taught in English and Japanese. GRIPS brochure (timeline) · 25th Anniversary booklet

The mission has remained steady: equip mid-career officials and emerging policy leaders with analytical tools (econometrics, public finance, political economy, security studies, risk and disaster science), and expose them to comparative policy practices across countries. GRIPS’ compact scale supports frequent faculty–student interaction; the official ratio is roughly one faculty member for every 5.4 students, which is far leaner than typical large universities and enables frequent feedback on coursework, policy papers, and dissertations. Facts & Figures

From the start, GRIPS has also been outward-looking. Many programs are designed in partnership with international sponsors—the Japanese government (MEXT), the World Bank’s JJ/WBGSP, the Asian Development Bank (ADB-JSP), JICA, the WCO, and others—so that students can study with full funding tied to their professional missions. Through the GRIPS Forum and executive training series, the campus regularly convenes senior policymakers, diplomats, and business leaders to debate live issues, keeping classroom discussion grounded in real-world constraints. Scholarships overview · GRIPS Forum

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Public-Policy Programs with Real-World Tracks

Public Policy (MP1 / MP2)

These programs form GRIPS’ core: MP1 (one-year) and MP2 (two-year). MP1 compresses advanced policy analysis into one intensive year for officials who return to their posts quickly; MP2 allows more time for research and a full thesis. Concentrations include Economic Policy, International Development Studies, International Relations, and Public Policy. MP1 · MP2

Young Leaders Program (YLP)

A fully funded, one-year master’s specialized for future national leaders in Asia and beyond. It focuses on governance and network-building among rising public officials. Admission is highly selective and sponsored by MEXT. YLP (official)

Macroeconomic Policy & Public Finance (Tax / Customs)

These are practice-oriented—training central bank and finance-ministry officials in macro modeling, fiscal policy, revenue administration, and customs. The Public Finance Program is run with the World Bank’s JJ/WBGSP and the WCO’s Japan-WCO Programme; the MEP track includes 1-year and 2-year options. Public Finance Program · Macroeconomic Policy Program

Disaster Management & Maritime Security

Japan’s experience with earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons informs GRIPS’ Disaster Management Policy Program (with BRI and PWRI) and its maritime program designed with the Japan Coast Guard. These tracks connect engineering-based risk science with policy, operations, and international law. DMP · MSP

Compact Classes, Practitioner Faculty & Access to Mentors

With roughly 5.4 students per faculty member, students get sustained supervision on policy papers and dissertations. Many professors have practical government experience and overseas doctorates, which keeps instruction applied and comparative in outlook. Faculty–student ratio & faculty profile

Scholarship Ecosystem Tied to Public-Sector Impact

A hallmark of GRIPS is the number of programs linked to full scholarships or sponsor funding—from MEXT and JICA to ADB-JSP, JJ/WBGSP, and the Japan-WCO Programme. Selection often goes through your home ministry or a sponsoring organization, aligning your training with national development priorities. Scholarships / Tuition & Fees (official)

Policy Network: Forums, Executive Training & Alumni in 125 Countries

Beyond degree programs, GRIPS hosts the GRIPS Forum (regular public-policy talks) and delivers executive training for government officials. The alumni network spans 6,300+ graduates in 125 countries, which is unusually international for a national university in Japan—and invaluable when you need counterparts across ministries abroad. GRIPS Forum · Alumni & executive training stats

Regional & Thematic Tracks

Some programs are designed for specific contexts—e.g., the Indonesia Linkage (EPP) integrates study in Indonesia and Tokyo—while others emphasize sectors such as science & innovation policy or security and international studies. EPP (Indonesia Linkage) · Security & International Studies (Ph.D.)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs, Circles & Events Welcoming Overseas Students

GRIPS is small, so student activity is less about dozens of clubs and more about policy events and student-led academic gatherings. The university has hosted student conferences and frequent open lectures (GRIPS Forum), which are great places to meet peers across programs and to present work in progress. Events & Symposiums · GRIPS Forum

Visa, Housing & Counseling—Dedicated Support Offices

The Student Office (SO) supports international students with procedures (admissions, city hall registrations, etc.). GRIPS provides visa and residence-card guidance, and it offers on-arrival support and information on student housing, including GRIPS International Houses and rooms at the Tokyo International Exchange Center (TIEC). Counseling support is available via the Health Services Center and external English resources. Student Office (Information for International Students) · Visa / Residence Card · Accommodation · Health / Counseling info · On Arrival (addresses & TIEC)

Language Exchange & Everyday Integration

While GRIPS does not advertise a formal “buddy” scheme, international students typically find language exchange opportunities through dorm communities (Resident Assistants at GRIPS IH), the wider Tokyo international-student scene at TIEC, and public events on campus like the GRIPS Forum. University communications and student services are English-friendly, and many programs run entirely in English. GRIPS IH (Resident Assistants) · TIEC reference

Partner Institutions & Outbound Options

GRIPS maintains partnerships with universities and policy institutes around the world. For outbound activity, students typically engage in short research visits, joint seminars, or thesis fieldwork rather than semester-long exchanges (because most GRIPS programs are compact and sponsor-tied). The official partner list includes institutions in Asia, Europe (including the NIS region), Africa, and the Americas. Check the most recent list for current opportunities and requirements. Major Partner Universities & Institutions

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo)

Weather Patterns (Recent 5 Years)

Tokyo’s climate is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Using Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) monthly climate statistics (updated each month), the recent five years (roughly 2020–2024) show monthly mean daily maximums that typically range from around 10–12°C in January to about 31–33°C in August; monthly mean daily minimums range from roughly 2–4°C in January to about 24–26°C in August. Notably, Japan recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, consistent with global warming trends. For monthly tables and the latest updates, see JMA’s data portal. JMA: Tables of Monthly Climate Statistics · Nippon.com: 2024 record warmth (JMA)

Safety & Everyday Living

Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s safest large cities in major indices. That said, standard urban awareness is essential, especially around nightlife districts. For official safety guidance in English, consult your country’s travel advisories alongside broader benchmarking such as the Economist’s Safe Cities reports. Economist Impact: Safe Cities Index (2021) · UK FCDO: Japan safety & security

Cost of Living (¥)

Costs depend on housing type and location. Japan’s official Study in Japan site estimates that average monthly housing is ~¥57,000 in Tokyo (vs. ¥41,000 nationwide), with total budgets varying by lifestyle. GRIPS dorms and TIEC housing can reduce costs versus private apartments. Study in Japan: Living Costs · Study in Japan: Accommodation

International Student Statistics

As of May 2025, GRIPS had 407 students from 59 countries and regions. Asia accounts for the majority, followed by Africa and Europe/NIS. Below is a simple regional breakdown (from the university’s official tally): Current Students from the World

Region	Students	Notes
Asia	330	Largest cohort; top countries include Indonesia (30), Philippines (16), Thailand (17), Sri Lanka (18), Japan (164).
Africa	41	Notable: Ghana (9), Kenya (9), Egypt (3), Tanzania (3), Uganda (5).
Europe including NIS	16	Includes Kazakhstan (4), Uzbekistan (6), plus EU/UK.
Latin America	10	Examples: Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador.
Pacific	4	Australia, Palau, Vanuatu, etc.
North America	3	U.S., Canada.
Total	407	From 59 countries and regions.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Who Hires GRIPS Graduates?

Most master’s students are already public servants or public-sector professionals when they enroll; the university notes that around 79% of students come from the public sector. Graduates typically return to ministries of finance, economy, planning, central banks, tax and customs authorities, disaster-management agencies, coast guards, or local governments. Others move into international organizations, development banks, and policy research institutes. Facts & Figures (public-sector share)

Program-Specific Destinations

Public Finance alumni often assume leadership roles in revenue authorities and customs agencies; Macroeconomic Policy graduates commonly serve in central banks and finance ministries. The Public Policy programs (MP1/MP2) feed a broad range of roles in government, think tanks, and international organizations. Public Finance Program · Macroeconomic Policy Program · MP2 (overview)

Alumni Examples

GRIPS’ “Alumnus of the Month (ALMO)” features graduates at the IFC (World Bank Group), UN agencies, central banks, and academia. These profiles illustrate typical pathways: policy analysis, economic research, program management, and diplomatic service. Past ALMOs (official) · Example: IFC Principal Economist (ALMO) · UNODC Programme Officer (ALMO)

Job Searching in Japan

GRIPS emphasizes that most students—especially in the one-year master’s programs—are expected to return to serve in their home countries and public institutions; therefore, the university generally does not support changing status to job-search visas after graduation. Plan your next step with your sponsor and employer before arrival. Status of Residence (official note)

Is GRIPS a Good Fit for You?

Choose GRIPS if you want concentrated, policy-applied training with peers who are mid-career practitioners. It’s a strong match for candidates from ministries, central banks, coast guards, planning commissions, or development agencies—especially if your employer or sponsor nominates you for a scholarship. If you seek a broad campus life with many clubs or sports and you prefer a multi-year, research-heavy degree, consider MP2 or the five-year Policy Analysis Ph.D. over the one-year master’s.

Key Official Links

Programs & Degrees: Degree Programs (GRIPS) / Tuition & Scholarships: Scholarships / Tuition & Fees / Student Stats: Facts & Figures / International Students: Student Office / Partners: Partner Institutions / Climate Data: JMA Monthly Climate