What kind of place is the College and Graduate School of International Relations? To find out, we visited Koshinkan Hall on the Kinugasa Campus and spoke with Professor Junko Toriyama, Vice Dean for Admissions. Professor Toriyama specializes in gender studies in the Middle East. Her research focuses on Egypt and Morocco, exploring the world through the unique histories and cultures of these regions.

According to Professor Toriyama, one of the most important aspects of studying international relations is avoiding an exclusive reliance on Western-centered perspectives and values. Every region of the world has its own unique history and characteristics, and understanding these contexts allows us to reflect critically on our own country's issues. She believes this is precisely why studying international relations at Ritsumeikan, a Japanese university, is so meaningful.

The faculty members of the College and Graduate School of International Relations are internationally recognized leaders in their respective fields. Professor Toriyama admits that she was not fully aware of this when she first joined the university.

"When I first came here, I didn't know any of the professors. But after looking them up online, I realized how remarkable their research achievements were. Then, when I met them in person, I found that they were all incredibly approachable."

Many faculty members conduct fieldwork overseas, making it common for them to attend international conferences even during the semester. During the summer break, many are conducting research abroad. Yet these same professors teach highly interactive classes, calling students by name and encouraging active participation. This is simply part of everyday life in the College and Graduate School of International Relations. Having the opportunity to learn closely from scholars conducting cutting-edge research around the world is one of the college's greatest strengths.

Develop the Ability to Think from Your Own Perspective and Engage in Dialogue

Studying international relations is about much more than acquiring knowledge. The same issue can appear very different depending on where you stand. Students are encouraged to consider how they see the world from their own perspective, articulate their thoughts, and engage in dialogue with people whose viewpoints differ from their own. This process lies at the heart of international relations education.

Discussion is an integral part of classes in the College and Graduate School of International Relations. Whether there are ten students or fifty, as soon as the instructor says, "Go ahead," students immediately begin expressing their ideas. Professor Toriyama remarks, "Their opinions aren't always fully formed, but they confidently begin speaking in their own words. I'm always impressed by that."

Students in the classroom come from a wide variety of backgrounds. By listening respectfully to perspectives shaped by different experiences and values, and by continuing meaningful dialogue, students deepen their own understanding as well.

You don't need to have perfect answers from the beginning. Over four years of study, students naturally develop the ability to form their own perspectives while engaging thoughtfully with people who hold different opinions. That is what it means to study in the College of International Relations.

Connect with the World in a Diverse Learning Environment

The College of International Relations consists of two departments: the Department of International Relations and the American University–Ritsumeikan University Joint Degree Program in Global International Relations. The Graduate School offers both Master's and Doctoral programs. Together, the College and Graduate School are home to approximately 1,600 students.

One of the defining features of the College and Graduate School is its international character. Approximately 80 percent of graduate students are international students. In some years, around 20 students per cohort are enrolled through the JDS (Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship) Program, administered by JICA and sponsored by partner governments. Young government officials from Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and African countries study alongside other students, bringing practical expertise in public policy and development from their home countries. Another distinctive feature is that students can earn a degree entirely in English. The College and Graduate School also offers one of the few research environments in the Kansai region where students can study security, international politics, development, and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The Graduate School of International Relations is the only institution in Japan that holds full membership in APSIA (Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs), a global network of leading graduate schools in international affairs. Through this network, it regularly exchanges information on curricula, student mobility, and faculty collaboration.

There are also many international students at the undergraduate level, creating classrooms where students from diverse backgrounds engage in lively discussions every day. Many faculty members earned their degrees overseas or have taught at universities abroad.

Most undergraduate students study abroad during their time at the university. Studying abroad is not considered exceptional—it is simply part of the student experience. Professor Toriyama laughs, "Students come back from studying abroad and stop by my office to say, 'Professor, I'm back!'"

Another major advantage is that the College and Graduate School are housed in the same building, Koshinkan Hall. University-wide systems allow undergraduate students to take graduate-level courses and participate in faculty research projects. Motivated undergraduates often join faculty research groups, present at academic conferences, and continue on to graduate study.

Through the Dual Master's Degree Program (DMDP), students spend one of the two years in the Master's program studying at a partner university overseas and graduate with two master's degrees. Some alumni have progressed from a Ritsumeikan affiliated school to the College, then to the Graduate School, and through the DMDP studied at a university in the United Kingdom, graduating at the top of their class.

In addition, the College offers the Joint Degree Program (JDP) with American University in Washington, D.C. Students spend two years in Kyoto and two years in Washington, D.C., earning a jointly conferred degree in Global International Relations. It was the first international joint degree program between Japanese and American universities, and the first of its kind in Japan at the undergraduate level. By studying international relations from both Japanese and American perspectives, students develop a broader outlook that is not confined to the values of any single country.

The learning journey that begins in high school continues through undergraduate and graduate education, ultimately opening doors to the wider world. That pathway is firmly established here.

Building Connections, One Person at a Time

Finally, we asked Professor Toriyama what kind of students the College and Graduate School hopes to nurture.

"Communication in the College and Graduate School of International Relations is genuinely open. I believe it is grounded in compassion. I hope our students, who care deeply about others, will connect people from all walks of life and become starting points for creating peace. It doesn't have to begin with something grand. It starts by connecting with the people closest to you."

The word "peace" may sound like a lofty ideal. Yet peace begins with listening to the person in front of you, accepting differences, and building connections through dialogue. It is these small, steady steps that embody the learning valued by the College and Graduate School of International Relations.