The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, established in 1988, is the first Institution in Japan to offer graduate programs exclusively. Twenty-one Departments under six Schools offer courses covering various fields such as ethnology, history, natural and information science at 18 Inter-University Research Institutions, which are physically located in various areas in Japan. The University recognizes the significance of innovative and international perspectives in academia, and thus strives to train students and researchers accordingly.

Two Departments for postgraduate doctoral studies, the Department of Regional Studies and the Department of Comparative Studies, offer courses at the National Museum of Ethnology leading to advanced degrees.  These Departments are a part of the School of Cultural and Social Studies (Bunka Kagaku Kenkyuka) of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies.