Established in 1972, the Asian Studies Program today annually welcomes over 600 competitively selected students who represent about 40 countries and regions. 
The raison d’être of the program is to provide international students with a means of exploring Japan and Asian studies through classroom instruction and interaction with Japanese people. Japanese language courses range from the introductory through the advanced levels. Previous Japanese language training is not required.

Curriculum:
The Curriculum of the Asian Studies Program is twofold; the rigorous Japanese language studies and courses in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Business/Economics pertinent to Japan and Asia make it possible for participants to approach a wide array of study areas during their stay in Japan.

While Japanese language instruction plays a key role in our program, we are by no means a language-training institute. For this reason, the structure of the program may not necessarily accommodate the needs of those students whose primary interest lies solely on acquisition of the Japanese language. Since all courses in the Asian Studies Program, aside from those focusing on the Japanese language, are conducted in English, it is possible for students with no previous Japanese training to pursue an in-depth study of Japan and Asia.

Given our primary framework of meeting upper-level undergraduate requirements, students must have at least one year (preferably two years) of college level instruction prior to coming to Kansai Gaidai so as to fully benefit from our Course Offerings and to maintain our high academic standards. Due to this policy, there has been very little difficulty in Credit Transfer from Kansai Gaidai to the participants' home institutions.

Housing: 
International students three types of housing arrangements:
Homestay
Dormitory
Off-campus housing

Homestay participation is strongly encouraged, for it is an excellent opportunity to acquire and enhance knowledge about the Japanese language and culture. Experience in living with a Japanese family can be the highlight of your stay in Japan.

Dormitories are called International Seminar Houses and offer an international living environment. With the increasing number of nationalities, living in the dormitory will make it possible to acquire various cultural perspectives from your fellow students.

Assistance in finding off-campus housing is provided primarily to those students who extend their stay into a second semester. Also, since there are no facilities available for spouses or children on-campus, those students with accompanying family members are asked to find off-campus housing.

Eligibility & Other Enrolment Requirements:
Students must have completed two Japanese language courses at OWU, with a grade of "B" or better, prior to participating in the exchange program. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to apply.  The number of students from OWU enrolling at Kansai Gaidai is controlled by the Exchange Agreement; OWU reserves the right to limit student participation in this program.  Students are encouraged to apply early.  Students who are accepted for one full academic year are required to achieve a 2.00 GPA in their first semester at Kansai Gaidai in order to enrol in the second semester.