How to Apply

Application Deadline for YNU

Applications for the 2026 admission must reach the PPT Office NO LATER than January 30th, 2026.

Eligibility

1. Be a national of a JJ/WBGSP eligible country. Please refer to the official list here .
2. Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country
3. Be in good health with respect to the capacity to be a productive scholar for the duration of the Graduate Program, as certified by a medical doctor
4. Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) with superior academic achievement earned more than three (3) years before the Application Deadline
5. Be serving as tax officials in the Government in principle, and have at least three (3) years of work experience in tax policy or tax administration of the Government in their home countries
6. Not received any scholarship funding from the government of Japan or its agencies (including JICA, the Central Bank, and local governments) to help finance a graduate or professional degree (including Law, Medicine, Masters, PhD)

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:
(a) are mid-level career officials
(b) can receive an official leave of absence during the period of study;
(c) are planning to return to the equivalent position (including the current one) in their home country after s/he completes the program;
(d) are recommended by appropriate government agencies;
(e) submitted GRE scores

Application Requirements

The following are the documents to be submitted in addition to the application form to YNU:

1. English Proficiency: Each applicant must demonstrate a proficiency in English sufficient for undertaking instruction in that language. In this regard, a minimum TOEFL score of 79 for the internet based (TOEFL-iBT) or IELTS score of 6.5 or Duolingo English Test score of 105 is required for entrance into the program. In the case that only the paper-based TOEFL is available in your country, the required minimum score is 550. The only documents we accept are official TOEFL scores sent directly by Educational Testing Service (ETS) or official IELTS scores sent directly by the British Council or official Duolingo scores sent to “YNU GSISS-Economics”. Please refer to the TOEFL webpage at http://www.ets.org/toefl or the IELTS webpage at http://www. britishcouncil.org/exam　where you can obtain information regarding the examination. The institution code for Yokohama National University is 0410 for TOEFL. Choose 84 (economics) as the department code. For the Duolingo test, see here: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants
   The only exception is the case in which the primary language used for academic instructions and communication at the applicant’s undergraduate institution was English. In this case, you must include an official letter obtained from the university confirming this information. Those applicants who do submit TOEFL or IELTS scores will be given priority in the selection process. We do NOT accept copies of TOEFL and IELTS scores directly sent by the applicants, nor the results of the TOEFL ITP or any other exams conducted by private agencies.
2. Letters of recommendation: For YNU selection purposes, you must have three (3) recommendations. Two (2) must be from a supervisor at your workplace or otherwise be in a position to attest to your workplace performance. The other must be from a faculty (academic) member of the university from which you obtained your degree. (You can send more than one academic recommendation if you want.) Letters of recommendation must be submitted in an envelope sealed by the recommender.
3. Official academic transcripts: We only accept official transcripts in a sealed envelope issued by your university or school. The transcripts need to cover all years of your Bachelor’s course and any other further post-secondary education.
4. Statement of purpose (1,200 words or less): Please explain briefly: a) why you have chosen to apply for the “Public Policy and Taxation Program” with an MA in Economics at YNU; b) explain what courses you plan to take, and ; c) what research topic you may want to write for your Master’s thesis if admitted. You may also use this statement to express any strengths you may have which you feel will help you succeed in any of the following: completing rigorous course work in economics; living in Japan, far away from family and friends for two years; success in the mandatory internship at the National Tax Agency, etc. Use the forms provided in the application package or download from our website, attaching additional sheets if needed. Please type or print clearly.

Other
Telephone (or some online communication platform) interviews may be conducted to assess English proficiency and/or to confirm any other information contained in the applicant’s file. Applicants who cannot be reached for this interview will become ineligible.
Lastly, although this is not required, if you have taken the GRE, please have the official score sent to the program. The institutional code for Yokohama National University on the GRE is 0410. Those who present GRE scores will be considered favorably in the selection process.

How to Apply

The following materials constitute your application.

• Application Form
• Statement of Purpose
• 3 Confidential Letters of Recommendation: Workplace (2) and Academic (1+)
• Official Academic Transcript(s) (from your University-Bachelor’s Degree and higher)
• Address Label (bottom half of your checklist)
• Official TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo Score or a letter from your undergraduate institution confirming that the primary language used for academic instructions was English.
• Official GRE Score (if available)

Your application should be submitted to the following address by Airmail or Courier service:

WE DO NOT ACCEPT applications via fax, email or online. Please note that:

1. None of the application materials can be returned to applicants under any circumstances.
2. A medical certificate will be required in the online application procedure with the World Bank.