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Careers & Admissions
For Prospective Students
There are several ways to join the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory. We do not accept non-degree research students, except for MEXT Scholarship students and interns.
We are unable to accommodate individual placements outside of the routes listed below, including short-term research visits. Please note that we cannot respond to individual inquiries or meetings regarding admissions, nor accept CVs or research proposals submitted outside the prescribed application processes for each route. Kindly follow the designated application procedures.
Undergraduate – Program for Social Innovation (PSI), Faculty of Engineering
Students in the Junior Division of the University of Tokyo (or transfer students from other universities to the Bachelor’s program at UTokyo) first proceed to the Program for Social Innovation (PSI) in the Faculty of Engineering. Students who pass the laboratory assignment interview will be assigned to the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory.
Master’s Course – Department of Technology Management for Innovation (TMI), Graduate School of Engineering
Applicants are required to take the TMI entrance examination, and those who pass will be assigned to the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory upon passing the laboratory assignment interview held after enrollment. The TMI entrance examination is held each summer in person at the Hongo Campus of the University of Tokyo; online examinations are not available. Please note that even applicants who pass the TMI examination are not guaranteed assignment to our laboratory, as the final decision is made through the post-enrollment laboratory assignment interview. For details on examination subjects and required application documents, please refer to the official application guidelines on the TMI website.
International applicants are accepted only as recipients of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. If you wish to enroll as a MEXT scholarship student, you will first need to be enrolled as a research student for six months after receiving the scholarship, and then take the entrance examination for the Master’s course. Please contact us only after you have been awarded the scholarship.
About the MEXT Scholarship:
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/mext_scholarship.html
TMI entrance examination information:
https://tmi.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/examinfo/examinfo-top
About the Master’s Global 30 Program (G30-TMI), an English-medium degree program:
https://www.global30.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/g30_hp/international-technology-management.html
For more information about international entrance examinations at the Graduate School of Engineering:
https://www.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/soe/admission/special
Ph.D. Course – Department of Technology Management for Innovation (TMI), Graduate School of Engineering
Applicants to the Ph.D. program are also required to take the TMI entrance examination. The examination is held in person at the Hongo Campus of the University of Tokyo; online examinations are not available. In addition, a prior interview with and approval from Professor Matsuo are mandatory before submitting a formal application. Please make sure to follow the prescribed process. International applicants are accepted only as recipients of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or a professional degree (or expect to obtain one by the time of enrollment) in order to apply for the Ph.D. program. For details on eligibility, please refer to the official application guidelines of the Graduate School of Engineering.
The application process for Ph.D. enrollment in October 2026 and April 2027 is as follows.
Selection Period *Applications for October 2026 and April 2027 enrollment have closed.
- 1st Round: Mid-November 2025 – Late January 2026
- 2nd Round: Late March 2026 – Late May 2026
Application Process
- Submit application documents by email:
- Email subject: PhD Application_your name (e.g., PhD Application_Taro Yamada)
- Recipients: sec@weblab.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp, research-application@weblab.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Please send to both addresses)
- Documents to submit: CV and Research Proposal (free format)
The research proposal should include the following two points:
1. Your past achievements and research experience
2. Your research plan for the three years of the Ph.D. program and the preparations you have made so far - Deadline: April 15, 2026, 23:59 (JST)
- Online interview with faculty and staff: approx. 30 minutes (Late April 2026)
- First 15 minutes: Presentation of your research proposal
- Last 15 minutes: Q&A session
- Interview with Professor Matsuo (May 2026)
- Formal application to TMI (required)
Reference: https://tmi.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/examinfo/examinfo-top
Internships
The Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory accepts unpaid internships only. If you are interested, please complete and submit the application form below. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.
Application form: https://forms.gle/QnAqZqLKN1EMUtP7A
Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory Open House
The Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory Open House will be held as follows. *The 2026 Open House has concluded.
During the event, faculty members and students introduce the laboratory, give short talks about their research and student life, and offer a tour of the facilities.
If you are considering joining the laboratory or pursuing a minor with us, we warmly encourage you to attend.
Event Details
- Date and Time: April 8, 2026 (Wednesday), 18:10–19:30
- Location: Room 92C2, 9th Floor, Engineering Building No. 2, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo
- Map: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/campusmap/cam01_04_03_j.html
Registration
- If you wish to attend, please register using the form below by April 5 (Sunday), 23:59.
https://forms.gle/fK7b4jkwxhH5WypT9
*Capacity for in-person participation is limited.
*Details on how to join online will be provided separately.