tohoku-u

Tohoku University
Sendai, Japan

Since its founding in 1907, Tohoku University has groomed generations of leaders by a “Research First” tradition, an “Open Doors” policy and working in the spirit of “Practice-oriented Research and Education.” It is not only known as the first university in Japan to admit female students in 1913, but also one of the first to welcome international students. Currently, more than 10 percent of our approximately 18,000 are international, spread across 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools and six research institutes.

Our research achievements and social contributions led to us being one of the first three institutions to be conferred the status of a Designated National University by the Japanese government in June 2017, and in 2021, for the second year in a row, ranked Number One on Times Higher Education’s annual list of Japanese universities.

Over the past decade since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, Tohoku University has been contributed to the recovery and reconstruction of Japan’s devastated Northeast region. Believing that we can, and should, do more to address resilience and sustainability on a global scale, we have introduced a Green Goals Initiative, which is a commitment to further develop green technology, contribute to recovery and resilience, towards the creation of a green future society.

Website: http://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/

VSE Season 1, 2023-24: Courses offered by Tohoku University


Application Deadline

Students must submit an application to the VSE Central Office before:
Aug 18, 2023 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)



Course Information

Course information posted on this page are provided by the course offering university and may be changed or updated anytime without prior notice.

Click on the course titles to reveal full course details:

Number of Credits2
Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course TeacherKAMIHITO TAKEUCHI
Language of InstructionEnglish
First Day of ClassOct 2, 2023
Last Day of ClassJan 29, 2024
Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of TeachingSynchronous
Meeting TimeMon 0850-1020
Time ZoneUTC+09
Course Description

This Program will teach international students how to work in Japanese companies through the experience of the Human Resources General Manager.

Japanese students are also welcome. Students can understand the mechanism of hiring Japanese companies.

This is a practical career design and internship preparation program for international students before starting a career or internship at the selected companies that operate in Japan.

This program will be designed with careful study and analysis of the working environment focused on the company in Japan.>Working in concert with the actual internship program (Career education practice for international students) the goal of this program is not only to master international students' practical working skills but also to create a mutual understanding between the students and companies.

Course Outline

CB11201

Course Prerequisites/Restrictions

N/A

Points to Note for Students

N/A

Fees to be Borne by Students

N/A

Number of Credits2
Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course TeacherCHIAKI SUEMATSU
Language of InstructionEnglish
First Day of ClassOct 2, 2023
Last Day of ClassJan 29, 2024
Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of TeachingSynchronous
Meeting TimeMon 1030-1200
Time ZoneUTC+09
Course Description

This course introduces students to Japanese corporate culture with the history of changes in employment practices. The classes will cover the Japanese Style Management, Bubble Economy, and the Lost 20 Years. How did Japanese companies develop their management style? Why were Japanese manufacturers regarded as the strongest? What caused the Bubble Economy? Why did they have to give up the practices once thought to be essential? While answering these questions, the course will emphasize the role of employment practices to illustrate the Japanese culture. Two main objectives of the course are to possess the knowledge of Japanese employment practices and to understand the rationales for changes in the practices for the past 20 years.

Course Outline

CB12202

Course Prerequisites/Restrictions

N/A

Points to Note for Students

N/A

Fees to be Borne by Students

N/A

Number of Credits2
Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course TeacherKIKUE YAMAMOTO
Language of InstructionEnglish
First Day of ClassOct 2, 2023
Last Day of ClassJan 29, 2024
Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of TeachingSynchronous
Meeting TimeMon 1030-1200
Time ZoneUTC+09
Course Description

The purpose of this course is for students to learn about Japanese communication behaviors and culture, using a comparative approach with other cultures. You are to learn through your own experiences--very interactive and practical.


You will also learn intercultural communication mechanism and get to practice communication cross-culturally.

Through the peer teaching discussion in the beginning of each class, you will learn about the other cultures of your peers as well as Japanese values, and your own culture

Course Outline

CB12205

Course Prerequisites/Restrictions

N/A

Points to Note for Students

It is taught in English and some Japanese.

Fees to be Borne by Students

N/A

Number of Credits2
Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
Course TeacherYUKI WATABE
Language of InstructionEnglish
First Day of ClassOct 3, 2023
Last Day of ClassJan 30, 2024
Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
Mode of TeachingSynchronous
Meeting TimeTue 1620-1750
Time ZoneUTC+09
Course Description

This course aims to explore the issues of universities and students in the process of globalization by examining the case of Japan. The course is designed to encourage students to develop constructive views on the issues and draw comparisons between educational practices of university systems and attitudes and behaviors of university students in Japan and their home country.


The three learning objectives of this course are:

1. Understand the issues tied to globalization and how these issues may impact universities and their students in Japan, your home country, and other countries

2. Learn about the perspectives held by those living and working outside your home country and of the impact their views have on higher education

3. Conduct group projects and present major findings to the class


To achieve those learning objectives, different types of learning activities will be employed, including lectures, guest speakers, discussions, and interviews.

Course Outline

CB25203

Course Prerequisites/Restrictions

N/A

Points to Note for Students

N/A

Fees to be Borne by Students

N/A



Before Making an Application

Make sure you have thoroughly read the information on this page and the Academics page before making an application. If you have a question, email us at [email protected] or contact the VSE Coordinators at your home university or course offering university.