Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) is one of the top private universities in Asia, located in the heart of metropolitan Tokyo, Japan. The Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights Program (SMIPRP) – offered by the Graduate School of Business at Aoyama Gakuin University – is a 12-month master’s degree program. It features cutting-edge classes and practical management skills for future leaders, particularly in Customs organizations around the world. All instruction on the SMIPRP is given in English, and the program is open to students worldwide. This master’s degree program operates under the sponsorship of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Program (Scholarship Program) offers grants to deserving young Customs officers from developing WCO members so they can pursue master’s level studies at the Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) in Tokyo, Japan. These grants cover travel, subsistence, admission, tuition, and other approved expenses.

Details:

• Organized by: Aoyama Gakuin University
• Application Deadline: Not specified
• Duration: Half a year + 3 years

The SMIPRP is configured by four pillars, under which several numbers of courses are available for students as follows:

• Strategic Management: Competitive Strategy/ Management/ Organizational Management/ HRM & Leadership
• Intellectual Property Rights: IPR Enforcement at the Border/ Intellectual Property Rights/ Copyright Law
• Customs and Tariffs: Customs Reforms & Modernization/ Practicum in Customs Administration/ Customs Law/ Customs Tariff Law
• Research: Master Thesis/ Academic Writing/ Statistical Analysis / Writing the Research Paper

Benefits:

A grant covering:

• Travel (round trip)
• Admission
• Tuition
• Accommodation (monthly stipend)
• Meals (monthly stipend)
• Transportation (monthly stipend)
• Other expenses

Notes:

• According to the Japanese Government’s decision, the stipend amount is subject to change.
• Current monthly stipend: 147,000 yen
• Current admission fee: 290,000 yen
• Annual tuition fee: 917,000 yen

Eligibility:

• A candidate must be a customs officer of a WCO developing member with at least two years of quality work experience in the administration and policy of customs in his or her home country.
• Candidates with experience in IPR border enforcement and those who anticipate working in the IPR-related division of their Customs administration after this Scholarship Program will be given preference.
• As of April 1, 2023, the candidate must be in good health and ideally under 40 years old.
• You’re not eligible if you have previously received a scholarship under the Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Program.
• The candidates must stay employed in their home Customs administration for at least three years after the Program is over.

Important Details:

• If the scholar fails to perform within a certain standard, or they may fail to do their schoolwork or not fulfill any other criteria, the scholarship will be terminated and the air ticket for returning will not be given as well.
• The scholar shall obey the Japanese laws, AGU regulations, and not commit any crimes. If he does not follow as stated above, the scholarship will be terminated and the air ticket for returning will not be given as well.
• After the applicant graduates, they shall report to AGU and WCO, explaining the position they are holding and how they are utilizing the experiences gained from the program.
• Policies are subject to change.

How to apply?

To start your application, please click the link below

Apply Now

The closing date for online applications is August 22, 2025. Candidates must postmark their application materials no later than August 25, 2025.

For more information about the Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Program, please visit Aoyama Gakuin University’s website.

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