For Students and Professionals from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong

Alpha Advisors｜18 Years of Experience, Over 80,000 Clients Supported

"There are plenty of services that help you get into a Japanese university, but who helps you land a job after you graduate?"
"Who can get you admitted to the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda, or Keio, AND help you win an offer from Goldman Sachs or McKinsey?"
"Who covers not just undergraduate admissions, but also graduate school and MBA programs, all under one roof?"
Only one firm in Japan does all of this. That firm is Alpha Advisors.

Introduction　Why Alpha Advisors Is the Only Firm of Its Kind

Japan has no shortage of study abroad agencies, test prep schools, and career coaching firms. But almost all of them cover only one piece of the puzzle: either admissions, academic support, or job placement. On top of that, most limit their scope to a single level, such as undergraduate admissions only or MBA only.
Alpha Advisors is different. From admission to Japan's top undergraduate, graduate, and MBA programs, to academic and career strategy during enrollment, to winning offers at leading global investment banks, consulting firms, and major trading houses, one firm and one advisor takes end to end responsibility for your success. That is what makes Alpha Advisors unique.

Why Alpha Advisors Is the Clear Choice【Industry Comparison】

If you only get help with admissions, you will struggle when it comes time to build your career. If you only get help with job hunting, you may never get into a top university or graduate school in the first place.
Achieving both, admission to Japan's most prestigious universities and graduate programs AND offers from the country's most competitive employers, through a single, unified strategy is something only Alpha Advisors can deliver.

Founder Toshihiko Irisumi (TJ): 18 Years and 80,000 Clients as the Industry's Leading Authority

Alpha Advisors is led by Toshihiko Irisumi (TJ), a pioneer in university admissions, MBA consulting, and global career advisory in Japan. With a top tier MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, TJ has spent 18 years guiding over 80,000 students and professionals through admissions and career transitions.

Founder Profile

◼︎Toshihiko Irisumi (TJ)
Founder & CEO, Alpha Advisors / Alpha & Company.
・Education: MBA, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
・Experience: 18 years in career and education consulting
・Track Record: Over 80,000 students and professionals supported in admissions and career placement
・Core Expertise: Overseas university admissions / Japanese university and graduate school applications / MBA application strategy / Global investment banking and consulting recruitment / Major trading house recruitment / Global career design
・Highlights: Coached clients to offers at Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and more; guided MBA admissions to Chicago Booth EMBA, MIT Sloan, INSEAD, and other leading programs
・Ventures: Alpha Advisors (Education & Career) / Alpha & Company. (U.S. entity) / YouTube channel "Alpha Genius" with over 20,000 subscribers
・Locations: Tokyo, Japan / Cambridge, Massachusetts, operating across both the U.S. and Japan
・Additional Expertise: Algorithmic trading, Japanese equities, and Nikkei 225 futures trading system development (deep expertise in financial engineering)

◼︎TJ's Strengths　Why International Students Trust Him Above All Others
1. Chicago Booth MBA Holder
TJ has experienced the rigor of a top MBA program firsthand. His guidance on research proposals, statements of purpose, MBA essays, and interview preparation operates at a level that other consultants simply cannot match.
2. 18 Years of Accumulated Data
Having supported over 80,000 clients across 18 years, TJ has fully systematized the patterns behind successful admissions and job offers at Japan's top universities, graduate schools, MBA programs, global banks, consulting firms, and trading houses.
3. Proven Track Record at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and Beyond
Most career coaching firms in Japan can only help with domestic employers. TJ has consistently placed clients at top tier global investment banks and consulting firms.
4. A Truly Global Perspective from Two Continents
Operating from both Japan and the United States, TJ provides real time access to the latest recruiting trends, MBA developments, and global career insights.

Advisor Emi Sakashita: The Ultimate Admissions Expert

Alpha Advisors has another key figure: Advisor Emi Sakashita. Emi gained admission to the University of Tokyo (Faculty of Science, Division II) straight out of high school, then went on to earn admission to the University of Tokyo Graduate School, and later to Columbia University's Graduate School of Education. She is, in every sense, the ultimate admissions expert.
From undergraduate admissions to domestic graduate school to a world class overseas graduate program, Emi has personally cleared every stage of the admissions journey, and she will be the one guiding you directly. This kind of firsthand experience is extraordinarily rare anywhere in the industry.

Advisor Profile

◼︎Emi Sakashita
Advisor, Alpha Advisors / The Ultimate Admissions Expert
・Undergraduate: University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science (Division II), admitted directly from high school
・Graduate (Japan): University of Tokyo Graduate School, admitted
・Graduate (Overseas): Columbia University, Graduate School of Education, admitted
・Specializations: Admissions strategy / Cognitive neuroscience / Learning science / Educational psychology / Brain science based learning methodology design
・Areas of Responsibility: Logic building for undergraduate, graduate, and MBA application documents / "How to communicate effectively" interview coaching / Study plan development / Mental performance management
・Content: Author and coach for Alpha Genius / α Genius Parent Consultation Room / Alpha Brain Lab (94 programs) and more
・Scope: From children's education and returnee students to professional career development and mental wellness
・Key Strength: Having personally cleared all three levels of admissions (undergraduate, domestic graduate, overseas graduate), combined with brain science insights, Emi offers a uniquely proven and replicable coaching methodology

◼︎Why Emi Is Called the Ultimate Admissions Expert
What fundamentally sets Emi apart from other consultants is that she has personally conquered all three of Japan's most challenging admissions hurdles: the most competitive undergraduate science track in the country, a top domestic graduate program, and a world class overseas graduate school.
1. The Pinnacle of Undergraduate Admissions
Admitted to the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science (Division II) directly from high school. She possesses the admissions skills to clear Japan's toughest science entrance process as a first attempt applicant.
2. Domestic Graduate School Experience
Admitted to the University of Tokyo Graduate School. She has intimate knowledge of the real strategies for research proposals, specialized examinations, and oral defense interviews.
3. Overseas Graduate School Experience
Admitted to Columbia University's Graduate School of Education. She has mastered the global standards for English essays, recommendation letters, and interviews.
4. Brain Science and Learning Science Expertise
She applies cutting edge insights from cognitive neuroscience and learning science, gained at her graduate program, directly to her coaching.

TJ's "Chicago Booth MBA × 18 years as a founder and consultant" combined with Emi's "University of Tokyo undergraduate × University of Tokyo graduate school × Columbia Graduate School of Education triple crown × brain science." This pairing delivers a caliber of guidance that no other firm can offer.

An Overwhelming Admissions Track Record: Winning Across Undergraduate, Graduate, and MBA Programs

Over 18 years, Alpha Advisors has produced successful applicants across Japan's top universities and graduate schools, as well as the world's leading MBA programs. The breadth of our coverage is fundamentally different from firms that only handle undergraduate or only handle MBA.

◼︎【Admissions Results】Japan's Top Universities and Graduate Schools (Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral)

◼︎【Admissions Results】Top Global MBA and Graduate Programs

From undergraduate to domestic graduate school to global graduate programs and MBA, Alpha Advisors is a comprehensive admissions consultancy that covers every stage of your academic journey.

What Truly Sets Us Apart: An Unmatched Job Placement Track Record

This is where Alpha Advisors proves it is far more than just an admissions support firm. Plenty of companies can help you get into a top Japanese university. But almost none can also help you land an offer at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, or one of Japan's five major trading houses after graduation.

◼︎【Placement Results】Global Investment Banking & Consulting

◼︎【Placement Results】Japan's Top Employers

Winning an offer at these companies as an international student is never easy. But Alpha Advisors has a proven track record of supporting clients all the way through to offer negotiation at firms like Goldman Sachs and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Why End to End Support Is Absolutely Critical

The path to success in Japan for international students consists of four stages. If your strategy is fragmented across these stages, you will never reach your ultimate career goal.

◼︎【Stage 1】Application Preparation (Before Arriving in Japan)
・Strategic selection of target schools across undergraduate, graduate, and MBA programs
・Application document preparation (strategic design of statements of purpose, research proposals, and MBA essays)
・Test preparation (EJU, JLPT, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, subject specific exams)
・Interview preparation (mock Q&A, Japanese interview etiquette, online interview techniques)

◼︎【Stage 2】Enrollment and Academic Support
・Academic planning (GPA management and course selection strategy designed around top employer recruitment)
・Internship placement (summer internship preparation for global banks and consulting firms)
・English proficiency development (TOEIC, TOEFL, business English)
・Networking (alumni visits, industry research, career community participation)

◼︎【Stage 3】Job Search and Recruitment
・Industry and company targeting (global banks / consulting firms / trading houses / manufacturers / tech and more)
・Application document review (personal statement, leadership narrative, and motivation statement tailored to Japan's unique recruitment process)
・Case interview preparation (case and fit interviews specific to global consulting and banking)
・Group discussion and aptitude test preparation
・Final round interviews and offer negotiation (including compensation negotiation)

◼︎【Stage 4】Career Development, Job Transitions, and Post Graduation MBA
・Post entry career path design
・MBA application support (Chicago Booth, MIT Sloan, INSEAD, and more)
・Postdoctoral and research career support, as well as job transition advisory
・Visa renewal and permanent residency guidance
・Entrepreneurship and independent venture support (for those who need it)

Other firms can only handle one of these four stages. Alpha Advisors, with 18 years of accumulated expertise, connects all four stages through a single, unified strategy. That is what our end to end support truly means.

Specialized Expertise for Students from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong

Alpha Advisors has particular strength in supporting students from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. We fully understand both the unique advantages that students from East Asian, character based language cultures bring and the specific challenges they face, and we tailor our guidance accordingly.

◼︎Five Barriers East Asian Students Face
・Barrier ① The "Japanese style" application format: The self presentation approach that works in your home country will not work in Japan
・Barrier ② Natural sounding Japanese: Translated or stilted Japanese is a critical weakness in research proposals
・Barrier ③ Japanese interview etiquette: Even strong content gets marked down if your presentation style does not meet expectations
・Barrier ④ Information asymmetry: Local admissions websites in your home country cannot tell you about specific research labs, professors, or insider processes
・Barrier ⑤ Positioning yourself in the Japanese job market: You need a deliberate strategy to differentiate yourself from domestic candidates

◼︎Alpha Advisors' East Asia Focused Support
・Consultants available in Chinese, Korean, English, and Japanese
・A proprietary database of successful applicants and offer recipients from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong
・Strategic positioning to turn your home country background (academic credentials, work experience) into a competitive advantage in the Japanese market
・Visa and residency procedure support (student visa → work visa → permanent residency)
・Thorough training in Japanese business culture and professional etiquette

Alpha Advisors' End to End Support Menu

◼︎Phase 1: Admissions Support for Japan's Top Universities, Graduate Schools, and MBA Programs
・Strategic selection of target schools across undergraduate, graduate, and MBA levels
・Customized study plans for EJU, JLPT, TOEFL, GMAT, and GRE
・Three stage review of statements of purpose, research proposals, and MBA essays (structure → content → native level polish)
・Self recommendation letters, resumes, and recommendation letter support
・Mock interviews (online and in person) with Japanese etiquette coaching
・Scholarship application support (MEXT, JASSO, and private scholarships)

◼︎Phase 2: Career Preparation During Enrollment
・Post enrollment GPA strategy and course selection planning
・Internship placement coaching for global firms
・English proficiency development (TOEIC, TOEFL, business English)
・Industry research and alumni networking strategy
・Mental performance management and brain science based learning methods (led by Emi)

◼︎Phase 3: Job Search Support for Japan's Top Employers
・Application document review (leadership narrative, motivation statement, personal statement)
・Consulting focused: Case interview training
・Banking focused: Market and technical interview preparation
・Trading house focused: Group discussion and behavioral interview preparation
・Aptitude test preparation (SPI, Tamatebako, TG Web, and others)
・Final round and senior executive interview preparation
・Offer and compensation negotiation support

◼︎Phase 4: Post Entry Career, Long Term Growth, and Post Graduation MBA Support
・Post entry career path design
・MBA application support (Chicago Booth, MIT Sloan, INSEAD, and more)
・Job transition advisory between global and domestic leading firms
・Visa renewal and permanent residency guidance
・Entrepreneurship and independent venture support

Five Reasons to Contact Alpha Advisors Today

Reason ① The Earlier You Start, the Stronger Your Position
Students who begin working with us one to two years before their application deadlines are the ones who gain admission to the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda, Keio, and top MBA programs.

Reason ② Availability Is Limited
Because we provide individualized coaching, the number of clients we can take on is limited. Spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Reason ③ Direct Coaching from TJ and Emi
The industry's top advisors will personally design your strategy.

Reason ④ Your First Consultation Is Free
We will assess your current situation and outline the optimal strategic direction for you at no cost.

Reason ⑤ Available in Chinese, Korean, and English
You can consult with us comfortably in your native language.

We Are Committed to Making Your Success in Japan a Reality

From China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to Japan. This journey is a transformative step that can reshape your entire life.
Getting admitted to the University of Tokyo. Conducting research at a top graduate school. Winning an offer from Goldman Sachs. Earning your MBA at Chicago Booth. These are not fantasies. They are outcomes Alpha Advisors has delivered again and again over 18 years.
A typical study abroad agency can never take you this far. Admission to top universities and graduate programs, offers from the most competitive employers, and a global career beyond. Only Alpha Advisors can bring all of this together as one cohesive story.

Free Consultation and Inquiries

Alpha Advisors｜International Student Support Division
Founder: Toshihiko Irisumi (TJ) / Advisor: Emi Sakashita

・First consultation is free
・Available in Chinese, Korean, English, and Japanese
・All levels covered: undergraduate, graduate, and MBA
・End to end support from admissions to career placement and beyond
・Committed to top university admissions × top employer offers

Your ambition deserves serious support. We deliver exactly that.

Interested in Alpha Advisors' personalized advisory? Reach out for a free consultation today!

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Achieve extraordinary results and build a career you are proud of!