As of April 2026, Japan’s economic activity has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and both domestic and international travel and business activities have resumed. At the same time, the socio-economic environment continues to undergo significant changes, including persistent inflation, instability in the international landscape—particularly developments involving Russia and the Middle East—and the rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies. In this era of uncertainty, the Graduate School of International Management, which focuses on education and research in the social sciences, places great importance on maintaining a perspective that remains constantly attuned to social realities and responsive to these changes.

The Graduate School of International Management was established in 2009 with the aim of cultivating professionals who are well-versed in international rules, capable of adapting flexibly to changing market environments and institutional frameworks, able to enhance the overall capabilities of organizations in an era of globalization, and prepared to lead the formation and development of industrial clusters in overseas regions.

In addition, the Graduate School has been working to enhance its educational programs to meet societal needs. In the 2021 academic year, we launched the Social Innovation Executive MBA Program (SIMBA), which focuses on cultivating professionals with practical problem-solving skills to address various social issues facing local communities, including Yokohama City, and to play active roles in the international community.

Furthermore, starting in the 2024 academic year, we launched the YCU EconMasters Program, which offers a coursework-based economics education widely adopted at major universities in Europe, the United States, and Japan. This program aims to cultivate professionals who, in addition to a theoretical foundation in economics, can utilize advanced data analysis methods to contribute to the well-being of local communities.

Through these initiatives, the Graduate School of International Management strives to remain an institution that responds to societal needs while producing professionals capable of addressing the most pressing and emerging challenges in business and society. We look forward to welcoming students with clear research goals and a strong commitment to their pursuit, who will refine their expertise here and go on to play active roles as leaders shaping the future of business and society.