About Us

Doshisha Business School

Established in 1875, Doshisha University is widely recognized as one of Japan’s top comprehensive universities, with a distinguished history of education based on founder Joseph Hardy Neesima’s philosophy of “education guided by conscience.” Doshisha Business School (DBS) opened in 2004, following a long tradition of successful Kyoto-based global corporations such as Omron, Kyocera, Shimadzu, and Nintendo.

Our English-language Global MBA was inaugurated alongside the school’s Japanese MBA in 2009, and following five successful years was strengthened as an independent Global MBA (Global Business and Management Studies) program in 2014 with a bolstered dedicated faculty and expanded course offerings. Sharing the vision of our university’s founder, we strongly believe that companies and businesspeople must strive not only for financial success, but also to make a positive social contribution to the world in which we live.

Why the Doshisha Global MBA?

Beyond ‘Business As Usual’

With a focus on sustainability, the Doshisha Global MBA guides students to explore and enquire beyond the established boundaries set by established theories and practices of global business and management to look beyond ‘business as usual’. As they grow into global-minded leaders, students will not only cover the breadth of standard MBA core subjects, but also develop deeper insights from the program’s three focus areas, and hone their analytical prowess through our program’s research thesis component.

Our aim is to prepare future business leaders who are willing and able to respond effectively to the emerging needs of the increasingly diverse groups of people participating in the global economy. The Doshisha Global MBA program offers a unique experiential MBA to students willing to work in partnership with professors and local and multinational business leaders when exploring - and challenging - traditions and trends in global business and management.
Doshisha Business School is located in the beautiful and historic city of Kyoto, within Japan’s “Kansai” region (centered around Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe). Set in picturesque natural surroundings, Kyoto offers an exciting blend of traditional and modern, with 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, various artistic and spiritual pursuits, a safe and fun nightlife, and much more. The Kansai region is also the industrial heart of Japan, with a large number of manufacturers and numerous R&D centers and high-tech science parks. We encourage students to capitalize on being in this special place with its historic network of innovative and creative industries.

People Hold The Key

Since its inception, a striking feature of the Doshisha Global MBA program is the diversity of the people who make our program special. The students we work with come from a wide variety of backgrounds and during their studies can collaborate with colleagues from over 30 different countries. We welcome applications from aspiring and inspiring individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or nationality.

See what our current students have to say about the program here.

About Doshisha University

Doshisha University is widely recognized as one of Japan’s top comprehensive universities, with 15 Faculties and Centers and 18 Graduate Schools. Founded in 1875, it has a distinguished history of education based on the founder’s philosophy of “education guided by conscience.” Doshisha is one of the “top four” prestigious private universities in the Kansai (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto) region, and is one of 13 universities selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology for the “Global 30” Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization. Doshisha Business School’s English-language Global MBA is a flagship program for the university’s “Global 30” participation.

See this interactive website for more information: Why Doshisha?
Doshisha University's official website