From Application to Experience: Understanding Postgraduate Studies in Japan

23 May 2026 | Online

The second session of the MSAJ Career Fair 2026 Workshop Series was successfully conducted with the theme "Postgraduate Studies: Process and Experience." The session brought together four outstanding speakers from diverse academic backgrounds, creating a vibrant and insightful discussion on postgraduate education in Japan.

The first segment featured speakers from the science stream (理系): Mr. Faris Hazmi, a first-year Master's student in Mechanical Engineering at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and Mr. Qayyim Azizi, a first-year Master's student in the Division of Science and Engineering at Iwate University. Both speakers shared their motivations for pursuing postgraduate studies, the application process, and the challenges and experiences they encountered throughout their academic journey. They highlighted how postgraduate research environments are significantly more intensive, offering valuable opportunities to deepen expertise and understanding within their respective fields.

The session continued with speakers from the arts and social sciences stream (文系): Mr. Nasaai, a second-year PhD student in Computational Humanities and Social Sciences at Tohoku University, and Mr. Firdaus, a second-year Master's student in International Relations at Waseda University. The combination of perspectives from both PhD and Master's students enriched the discussion, providing participants with a broader understanding of postgraduate pathways and academic life. In addition, both speakers shared their experiences in securing scholarships from different organizations, offering participants practical insights into scholarship applications and funding opportunities.

To conclude the workshop, MSAJ conducted a special sharing session on company research. Participants were introduced to three key strategies for conducting effective company and market research, along with practical tools and resources to support their job-hunting journey. The session also highlighted how participants can fully utilize the MSAJ website and social media platforms to gather valuable information before engaging with companies at the Career Fair.

We hope that all participants gained meaningful insights into postgraduate studies, scholarship opportunities, and company research techniques, helping them make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.