Academics
Graduate School of Global Informatics
Advances in AI, IoT, and Big Data, and the accompanying technological revolution, are rapidly shaping the informatization and globalization of society. Living in this dramatically changing world, professionals are needed who can deal with complex social issues inherent in Society 5.0, the society where the real world and cyber spaces are inextricably linked. Japan is not an exemption, as illustrated by the recent establishment of Japan’s new Digital Agency and the rising wave of DX in the private sector. Noting that information systems are shaping the basic structure of industry and advanced operations are required in society, development of the legal system to control such a society are essential. However, so far, no countries have succeeded in securing themselves with sufficient laws to control the progress of information technology. In such a situation, we believe combining studies of informatics and its related laws can be a catalyst that leads to solutions of the problems that the information society faces, which inspired the establishment of the Graduate School of Global Informatics.
In this era of digitalization being strongly promoted in both the public and private sector, conventional knowledge and mindset, or individual sector knowledge, will not be sufficient to solve many of the problems society is facing, such as:
a) Ethical issues related to on-board AI products, such as autonomous driving cars (ADC) or personnel recruit systems, etc.;
b) Managing enormous amounts of client data in accordance with GDPR;
c) Creative innovation using Crowd computing or Open API.
Here at the Graduate School of Global Informatics, we will nurture individuals who are familiar with theoretical concepts regarding information and applicable laws and regulations, and are familiar with and well-informed about various phenomena that occur in cyber-physical society. Ultimately, those with these talents will create original solutions and approaches for extremely complexed issues inherent in modern society. In short, the School will foster “professionals who combine informatics and jurisprudence and have a key role in designing the master plans for society.”
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The Graduate School of Global Informatics can meet your needs for recurrent education or reskilling and help you cultivate your skills to survive in the era of DX, AI, and Metaverse.
Japan has long faced a shortage of IT specialists. Now, Digital Transformation has become a national policy and industry is focused on making good use of AI and data science for economic development. In addition, the emergence of Metaverse and its great potential is drawing more and more attention across society. In such a situation, it is essential for professionals with liberal arts/social sciences/humanities backgrounds to have some basic knowledge of IT. Similarly, professionals with a background in sciences now require a certain amount of knowledge of laws and regulations. For instance, if we want to build a business model using clients’ information, or create and manage a Metaverse virtual world, we need to comply with THE ACT ON THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION or THE ACT ON THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES OF SPECIFIED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THE RIGHT TO DEMAND DISCLOSURE OF IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION OF THE SENDERS. This is why current professionals, regardless of their background in specialized fields, must have knowledge of IT and laws regarding information management.
The Graduate School of Global Informatics of Chuo University has been established to meet the needs of such individuals who wish to undertake recurrent education and reskilling opportunities. The campus is located at the city center, easily accessible to students coming from all directions, and classes are held at the 〈Ichigaya Tamachi Campus〉, located just in front of Tokyo Metro Ichigaya Station, exit No.6. The curriculum offers the chance to complete a Master’s degree within 2 years, in principle, even for working professionals. On weekdays, all lectures begin at 6:50pm
The School welcomes students directly after university as well, and students who join immediately after undergraduate studies can benefit from the chance to study with working professionals. In this way, studying with classmates possessing actual experience, graduate students can get deeper, practical understanding of the theories that they learned during undergraduate years, with the expectation of pursuing higher accuracy research. In addition, students can expect to receive meaningful advice concerning their future career options from these more experienced classmates. With regard to instructors, the School boasts professors and associate professors with abundant practical experience. Students can learn about IT fields, such as AI, data science, cyber security, internet usage, media studies, and informatics, from global perspectives. Of note, there are three dedicated professors who have studied information law under Professor Masao HORIBE, the first chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission of Japan. You can learn about and research information law, including privacy rights, from a global point of view, as well as domestic and international advanced rules concerning AI and robotics.
Furthermore, the School has two choices of programs of study to complete a master’s degree: 1) a traditional graduate program requiring 30 course credits and the completion of an academic master’s thesis; or 2) a program requiring 40 course credits and the completion of a written thesis focused on solving a practical issue, called a “specific-issue thesis.” The latter course might be most appropriate for professionals who prefer to take more classes and write a practical thesis, but working individuals are also welcome to select the former, more traditional program. To this end, upon enrolling, students consult with a supervisor and decide which course to take.
The School also cooperates with the ELSI Center of Chuo University, which targets the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of issues surrounding emerging technologies, such as AI and Metaverse. The ELSI Center is promoting research in cooperation with companies and concerned parties from the central government that are interested in solving practical issues using emerging technologies, with the School’s supervisors acting as a hub. In addition, through participation with supervisor in the research activities of the ELSI Center, students of the School can gain cutting-edge knowledge and understanding of actual issues and meaningful measures.
Chuo University is a distinguished school in the field of Jurisprudence research and education, known as the “Chuo, the Excellent School of Law,” which began as the Igirisu Hōritsu Gakkō (English Law School), established in the early Meiji-era. The School’s first director, Rokuichiro MASUJIMA, admitted as the barrister in England while studying there, also interacted with the New York State Bar Association after his return to Japan. In this way, the Graduate School of Global Informatics of Chuo University inherits the international spirit of advanced Jurisprudence education, originating with the Igirisu Hōritsu Gakkō, and from that foundation is responding to the current social transformation of the IT world, pursuing groundbreaking research of both
Susumu HIRANO Dean, Graduate School of Global Informatics
