Not sure which University to Choose?

Stay informed via SMS & WhatsApp

Full-time English-taught MBA programs for working professionals professionals and fresh graduates

Top Public Universities for MBA in Japan

There are two standout options right now:

Hitotsubashi ICS — QS Top 100 MBA

Duration	1-year & 2-year programs
Tuition	~¥1.4M/year (~?8.1L)
GMAT / GRE	GMAT 605+ or GRE 160Q/150V — MANDATORY
English Proficiency	TOEFL iBT 109+ or IELTS 7.5+
Work Experience	2+ years full-time required
Specialisations	International Business Strategy, Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurship
What makes it stand out	Japan's #1 MBA \| 5:1 student-faculty ratio \| Small cohort size \| ~85% of self-funded grads land a job in Japan

If you're serious about building a career in Japan, Hitotsubashi ICS is ranked in the QS Global Top 100 and it's the most academically demanding MBA program in the country. The small cohort size means you actually get face time with faculty, not just a seat in a lecture hall. Also, GMAT or GRE is non-negotiable here, with a minimum GMAT of 605.

Kyoto University i-MBA — Launched 2025

Duration	2-year MBA program
Tuition	¥535,800/yr (~?3.1L) — national rate
GMAT / GRE	Check directly with GSM admissions for 2026 intake
English Proficiency	TOEFL iBT 90+ or IELTS 6.5+
Work Experience	Recommended, but not a hard requirement
Specialisations	Business Leadership, Finance & Accounting, Service & Hospitality, Sustainability
What makes it stand out	World-class Kyoto University heritage \| Most affordable MBA at a Japan top-10 university \| Set in the cultural capital of Japan

Kyoto University's i-MBA is brand new and is launched in 2025. This clearly means that you'd be among the first cohorts to graduate from one of Japan's most respected institutions. The tuition is remarkably low for a top-10 university, making it the most accessible high-quality MBA in Japan.

Top Private Universities for MBA in Japan

Private MBA programs in Japan tend to offer more flexibility — multiple intakes, rolling admissions, and campuses in major cities. Here's a look at the three programs that consistently come up in rankings and among Indian students.

NUCB Business School — #1 QS Japan MBA 2025

Duration	1 or 2 years
Tuition	~¥2.1M/year (~?12.1L)
GMAT / GRE	Highly recommended
Accreditation	Japan's only Triple Crown school (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS)
Teaching Method	Harvard case method
Campuses	Nagoya, Osaka & Tokyo

NUCB holds a distinction that no other business school in Japan can claim — it's the only one with Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS). That's a globally recognised mark of quality, and it matters when you're taking your degree back to India or looking at multinational employers. Classes run on the Harvard case method, so expect active discussion-based learning rather than passive lectures. With campuses in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, there's also flexibility in where you study.

Waseda Business School (WBS) — QS Top 150 MBA —

Duration	18-month MBA
Tuition	~¥1.6M/year (~?9.2L)
GMAT / GRE	Highly recommended
Intakes	3 intakes per year
What makes it stand out	QS #2 MBA in Japan \| Fully English-taught \| Strong alumni network in global multinationals

Waseda is one of Japan's most recognisable university brands — and WBS carries that reputation into the MBA space. The 18-month format is a practical middle ground between a 1-year sprint and a full 2-year program. Three intakes a year also means you're not locked into a single application window, which is genuinely useful if you're mid-career and planning around your notice period.

GLOBIS University — Japan's Largest Largest MBA

Duration	1.5–2 year MBA
Tuition	~¥2.3M/year (~?13.3L)
GMAT / GRE	Not required
Fresh Graduates	Accepted on the 2-year track
What makes it stand out	85% employed within 3 months of graduation \| 58% average salary increase \| Strong focus on startups and entrepreneurship

GLOBIS is Japan's largest MBA program and probably the most accessible one too — no GMAT or GRE required, and fresh graduates are welcome on the 2-year track. Its placement numbers are hard to ignore: 85% of graduates find employment within 3 months, and alumni report an average salary jump of 58% after the degree. If you're drawn to the startup ecosystem in Japan or want to eventually launch something of your own, GLOBIS has built its identity around exactly that.

Top One-Year MBA Programs in Japan

For working professionals who can't step away from their careers for two years, a 1-year MBA is worth serious consideration. Here are the options currently available in Japan:

University	Duration	Tuition/Year
Hitotsubashi ICS	1 year (option)	~¥1.4M (~?8.1L)
NUCB Business School	1 year (option)	~¥2.1M (~?12.1L)

MBA IN JAPAN ELIGIBILITY

The good news is that Japan MBA programs are fairly open to international applicants — and requirements vary quite a bit across schools. Here's what you'll generally need:

Academic Background

Bachelor's degree (16 years of total education)
Strong academic record — competitive applicants have 70%+ / 7+ CGPA

Work Experience

Hitotsubashi ICS & Waseda WBS: 2+ years full-time experience required
NUCB: Experience preferred; not mandatory
GLOBIS: Accepts fresh graduates on the 2-year track

Standardized Tests

GMAT/GRE strongly recommended
There are also options without GMAT/GRE

Language Proficiency

TOEFL iBT 80 / 100+ or IELTS 6.5 / 7.5+
GLOBIS: English proficiency assessed via interview — no TOEFL/IELTS required

MBA IN JAPAN Application Requirements

Eligibility for an MBA in Japan typically includes the following requirements:

Application Documents Required

Completed online application form
Academic transcripts — these will need to be translated into English if they aren't already
GMAT or GRE score report (where applicable)
TOEFL or IELTS score report (where applicable)
2 to 3 essays or written statements — each school has its own prompts
2 to 3 letters of recommendation from professional or academic referees
An updated CV or resume
A copy of your passport
Application fee, which typically runs between ¥30,000 and ¥50,000

Interview & Selection

Every program on this list includes an interview as part of the selection process — either in person or online. Here's how the timelines differ:

All programs require an interview (in-person or online)
Hitotsubashi ICS: 2–4 rounds per year (Sep–Mar); written + interview Waseda: 3 rounds per year
GLOBIS & NUCB: Rolling admissions year-round

Cost of Studying MBA in Japan

Japan is often assumed to be an expensive destination. Here's how the programs stack up on fees:

Tuition Fee Comparison

University	Tuition/Year (¥)	Tuition/Year (₹ approx.)
Kyoto University i-MBA	¥535,800	~₹3.1L
Hitotsubashi ICS	~¥1,400,000	~₹8.1L
Waseda Business School	~¥1,600,000	~₹9.2L
NUCB Business School	~¥2,100,000	~₹12.1L
GLOBIS University	~¥2,300,000	~₹13.3L

NOTE: The costs mentioned above vary from state to state within Japan and depend upon several factors including the area, type of accommodation, lifestyle etc.

Top Jobs After MBA in Japan

Japan's job market for MBA graduates is more active than most people realise — and placement numbers from the leading schools back that up:

At GLOBIS, 85% of graduates are employed within 3 months of finishing the program
GLOBIS alumni also report an average salary increase of 58% compared to what they earned before the MBA
At Hitotsubashi ICS, roughly 85% of self-funded graduates secure jobs in Japan after graduation

Why Choose Jamboree?

Study Overseas Consultancy