Asia University Guide for International Students: Admissions, Tuition, Scholarships, Student Life, and Exchanges

Thinking about studying in Japan but not sure where to begin? Asia University (AU) in Musashino, Tokyo blends a friendly suburban campus with quick access to central Tokyo, strong international programs, and practical, career-focused learning. Founded on the spirit of “Self-help and Cooperation,” AU welcomes globally minded students who want hands-on study abroad, a supportive community, and clear pathways into work in Japan and across Asia. This guide collects recent facts, costs in ¥, and program highlights—plus external sources—so you can judge whether Asia University fits your goals.

Quick-Facts Table

Snapshot of Asia University at a glance (sources linked in notes):

Type	Private University About Asia University
Total Students	6,547 (as of May 1, 2023) Asia University in Numbers
Campuses	Musashino Campus (main; western Tokyo) About & Campus
Faculties / Schools	Business Administration (Departments: Management, Data Science); Economics; Law; International Relations (Departments: International Relations, Multicultural Communication); Urban Innovation; Sociology (Department of Contemporary Sociology). Business (Management) · Business (Data Science) · Economics · Law · Urban Innovation · Sociology
Biaya Pendidikan	Typical annual totals (incl. fees): Business/Economics/Law — ¥1,310,000 (1st yr), ¥1,043,500 (2nd–3rd), ¥1,073,500 (4th). International Relations/Sociology — ¥1,350,000 (1st yr), ¥1,083,500 (2nd–3rd), ¥1,113,500 (4th). Notes: First-year includes entrance fee; official tables by year of entry are on AU’s English “Tuition” page (with linked PDFs). Tuition (English)
Gender Ratio	Varies by faculty; examples (May 1, 2025 unless noted): Business 67.3% ♂ / 32.7% ♀; Economics 79.8% ♂ / 20.2% ♀; Law 73.4% ♂ / 26.6% ♀; Urban Innovation (May 1, 2023) 67.8% ♂ / 32.2% ♀; Sociology 52.2% ♂ / 47.8% ♀. Business · Economics · Law · Urban Innovation · Sociology
Intl-Student %	≈3.6% of undergraduates (233 undergrad internationals / 6,547 total; May 1, 2023) Asia University in Numbers
Students per Staff	Not officially published in English; small-group seminars common in upper years. Reference data policies: Information Disclosure

Tip: New international undergraduates may receive a 30% waiver on first-year tuition, subject to eligibility. See AU’s English guidance. Tuition Exemption & Scholarships

Campus Maps

Musashino Campus (Main, Musashino City, Tokyo)

Address: 5-8 Sakai, Musashino City, Tokyo 180-8629, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Asia University’s founding spirit—“Self-help and Cooperation”—captures both independence and teamwork. The university traces its roots to 1941 and grew into a comprehensive private institution serving Tokyo’s western suburbs while keeping strong ties to Asia. The campus sits in Musashino, a leafy residential city near Kichijōji and only a short train ride to central Tokyo, which gives students a rare mix of calm study spaces and big-city opportunity. About AU (English)

Historically, AU expanded programs aligned with Japan–Asia connectivity and practical business education. In 1976, International Relations grew within AU’s academic structure; by 1989 the university formalized a signature outbound model—the Asia University America Program (AUAP)—sending large cohorts to partner campuses in Washington State for five months while keeping students on track for four-year graduation at home. The idea was—and still is—to combine language immersion, intercultural learning, and career awareness through site visits and internships. History timeline (English) · AUAP overview

In the 2010s–2020s, AU doubled down on internationalization and practical skills. It established the Faculty of Urban Innovation (2016) focusing on city-making and community problem-solving, and launched a Data Science department (2023) inside the Faculty of Business Administration to meet industry demand for analytics and AI-aware managers. These moves are codified in AU’s “New Asia Future Map” medium- to long-term plan, which emphasizes linking Asia and the wider world through mobility and applied learning. Urban Innovation (English) · Data Science (English) · Mid-/Long-term plan (About page)

Today, AU educates ~6,500 students across six faculties, with international undergraduates supported by dedicated scholarships (including a first-year tuition waiver of 30% for eligible students) and short-/medium-term programs that prioritize employability. Employment outcomes are strong: AU reports a 99.0% job placement rate and a campus recruiting ecosystem that brings 200+ organizations to its Company Discovery Fair. For applicants outside Japan, this combination—clear costs in ¥, a supportive suburban location, and structured study-abroad windows—makes AU a pragmatic launchpad for a Japan career. International student scholarships · AU in Numbers (employment, fairs)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship: Global Liberal-Arts via International Relations

AU’s Faculty of International Relations (with departments of International Relations and Multicultural Communication) sits at the heart of its “Asia to World” identity. The curriculum blends language study with area studies, policy, and fieldwork. Historically it was among the first at AU to require or strongly encourage study abroad—and the university was selected for MEXT’s Global Human Resource Development initiative, which accelerated mobility and active, field-based learning. If you’re eyeing diplomacy, NGOs, or global business in Japan, this is the most natural home base on campus. History (program milestones)

Asia-to-World Mobility: AUAP, AUCP, AUGP, AUEP & AUKP

AU partners with “~39 universities in 20 countries/regions” (2023 results) across multiple outbound tracks. The Asia University America Program (AUAP) sends students for five months to Washington State partners—Central Washington University (CWU), Eastern Washington University (EWU), and Western Washington University (WWU)—with dorm roommates and career-oriented activities; critically, credits count so you still graduate on time. Study Abroad Programs (English) · AUAP @ AU (English) · AUAP @ WWU · AUAP @ EWU · AUAP @ CWU

AUKP (Korea Program) places students at Kyung Hee University in Seoul for language study plus dorm life; AUCP (China Program) integrates language training at Dalian University of Foreign Languages and a four-week internship; AUGP offers short-term language/culture immersion in multiple Asia destinations; and AUASP (Malaysia) focuses on English and local culture at UCSI University. These structured cohorts give clear costs, academic credit, and support—ideal if you’re new to studying abroad. AUKP: Kyung Hee University details · AUCP (China) overview

Data-Driven Business & New Tech Skills

If you want to mix management with analytics, AU’s Faculty of Business Administration includes a Department of Data Science (opened in 2023) that emphasizes AI/DX across industries. It sits alongside the long-running Management department, giving you a practical set of options—from marketing and operations to programming and analysis—with internship pipelines to Tokyo firms. Data Science (English) · Management (English)

Career Outcomes & Employer Access

AU reports a 99.0% employment rate and hosts a Company Discovery Fair featuring 200+ organizations—useful for international students building networks in Japan. Career education begins early (seminars in lower years, interview prep and alumni talks in upper years). AU in Numbers (employment & fairs)

International Faculty & Support

About 22% of AU’s faculty are foreign nationals, contributing to bilingual instruction and cross-cultural mentoring. The International Center coordinates program briefings, visa/life guidance, and scholarship advice—including the first-year 30% tuition waiver for eligible international undergraduates—so you’re not navigating Japanese admin alone. Faculty stats · Scholarship & tuition waiver

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

AU offers a wide range of student clubs (sports, culture, media, volunteer). International students can typically join the same circles as domestic students—one of the best ways to practice Japanese and make friends. (Check the Student Center when you arrive for current lists and sign-ups.) Student Life FAQ (English)

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Health)

The International Center and Student Center guide visa paperwork, tuition procedures, and health insurance. AU operates an on-campus medical benefits system for enrolled students; fees are collected alongside spring tuition. Medical Benefits System · Tuition payment method · Student Life FAQ

Language-Exchange & Buddies

Many outbound/inbound programs (AUAP, AUGP, etc.) form mixed teams with Japanese students—expect campus events, peer “friends” systems, and circle activities where you’ll use both English and Japanese. Check program pages for current formats and sign-ups. International Programs (English)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound-focused)

United States: AUAP partners—Western Washington University (WWU), Central Washington University (CWU), Eastern Washington University (EWU)—host AU students for five-month cohorts with language, culture, and career components. AUAP (AU) · AUAP @ WWU · AUAP @ CWU · AUAP @ EWU

Asia: AUKP (Korea) partners with Kyung Hee University; AUCP (China) runs at Dalian University of Foreign Languages with a built-in internship; AUGP provides short-term language/culture modules across several destinations; AUASP (Malaysia) centers at UCSI University. All programs (English) · AUKP implementation · AUCP overview

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Musashino / Tokyo)

Weather (Recent 5-year pattern)

Tokyo’s climate is temperate with humid summers and mild winters. Based on recent years (2020–2024) around central Tokyo, typical average daily highs range from ~10–12 °C in January to ~30–31 °C in August, while average lows range from ~2–4 °C (Jan) to ~23–25 °C (Aug). Expect a rainy season in early summer and typhoon rains mainly Aug–Oct. For monthly tables and downloadable data, see Japan Meteorological Agency (station: Tokyo 47662) or long-run series via Meteostat. JMA: Monthly Climate Statistics · Meteostat: Tokyo station

Living Environment, Safety & Cost

Musashino is a classic college town—green, bikeable, and one stop from Kichijōji (shops, cafés, and Inokashira Park). Tokyo ranks highly for student desirability and employer activity in global city surveys, reflecting strong transport, food, and job networks. Budget-wise, private universities in Tokyo list tuition clearly in ¥, while housing varies by neighborhood and building age. Start with AU’s official tuition tables and city guides to plan. QS Best Student Cities: Tokyo · AU Tuition (English)

International Student Statistics

AU lists 233 undergraduate international students out of 6,547 total students (as of May 1, 2023), or roughly ≈3.6% of the student body. Departmental gender ratios (May 1, 2025 unless noted) illustrate diversity by field—e.g., Business 67.3% ♂ / 32.7% ♀ (1,476 students), Economics 79.8% ♂ / 20.2% ♀ (1,159), Law 73.4% ♂ / 26.6% ♀ (1,390), Urban Innovation 67.8% ♂ / 32.2% ♀ (593; 2023), Sociology 52.2% ♂ / 47.8% ♀ (157). AU in Numbers · Business (dept data) · Economics (dept data) · Law (dept data) · Urban Innovation (dept data) · Sociology (dept data)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Placement Rates & Employers

AU reports a 99.0% employment rate for its graduates. The university’s Company Discovery Fair brings 200+ companies to campus, and many departments embed career seminars and small-group advice from year one. For international students, this translates into regular touchpoints with HR/recruiters and alumni, plus internship leads through outbound programs. Employment & fairs (AU in Numbers)

Further Study & Professional Routes

Graduates enter business, government, community-planning, and global roles; some pursue law school or graduate programs at AU or abroad. Departments outline qualifications you can earn (e.g., teaching licenses, librarian certificates, social education, etc.). Check each faculty’s “Department Data” block for the exact list and sample careers. Law (qualifications) · Urban Innovation (qualifications) · Sociology (qualifications)

Tuition & Scholarships (in ¥)

For transparency, AU publishes fee tables by admission year. Representative totals shown in the Quick-Facts table come from the 2025 entry PDFs linked on the English tuition page; the structure is similar across business/economics/law and international relations/sociology. Payment can be made annually or per semester via PAY ASI-st. Tuition (English) · Payment method

Scholarship note: Eligible new international undergraduates receive a 30% first-year tuition waiver. AU also lists internal/external scholarships and Japan Finance Corporation education loans (details in English). Program-specific outbound fees (e.g., AUCP in China or AUKP in Korea) are listed on program pages. Waiver & scholarships · Education loans · AUCP (China) fees note