The field of international studies considers events from the views of combined communities around the world. Comprehending aspects such as the history, economics, culture and politics of several different nations can increase understanding on issues that take priority on the international agenda as they arise.

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.

Full time studies are studies that require a student to attend classes on a daily basis, usually for at least four hours a day. The main benefit of full time studies is that it allows students to complete their studies in a shorter period of time. This can be beneficial for those who are looking to graduate more quickly or enter the workforce sooner.