About the Academy
The International Protocol Academy of Japan · ICPAA bridge
between Japan and the world
In an era when knowledge and technique have become universally accessible, what truly distinguishes those who lead is the cultivated bearing that bridges cultures, and the intellectual depth to engage with respect and grace across nations.
ICPA was founded to cultivate this very capacity — uniting the philosophical heritage of Japanese refinement with the standards of executive etiquette and international protocol, to develop those who command trust across cultural divides. This is not a school of surface manners. It is the integration of bearing, intellect, refinement, and character at the highest order — a specialist academy of executive etiquette, international protocol, and Japanese cultural intelligence.
Our mission is to bridge Japan and the world — bringing the depth of Japanese cultural philosophy to global leadership, and offering the world’s most accomplished a curriculum that no other institution can provide.
Our Mission
— Cultivating leaders of distinction
ICPA cultivates executives, diplomats, and protocol consultants who embody the bearing, intellect, and cultural intelligence required to lead on the world stage — through internationally accredited education in Japanese etiquette and protocol for executives, executive etiquette training, international protocol, global business etiquette, and diplomatic refinement, rooted in the depth of Japanese cultural philosophy.
From Japan to the world,
leadership at the highest order.
Our Vision
— A world united by refinement
ICPA envisions a world in which cultural refinement and mutual respect transcend borders, uniting peoples and societies across nations.
A global community where individuals of integrity and intellectual depth foster harmony and prosperity not through opposition, but through cooperation and the shared pursuit of excellence — this is the future our institution exists to realise.
A world united by refinement
and mutual respect.
I · C · P · A
The Four Pillars
The four foundational values that define our institution. These are the essential qualities embodied by every student who walks the halls of ICPA — the marks of a person of true distinction.
To envision what lies ahead, and to light the path for others. As pioneers, we set the standards by which the next generation will lead.
To cultivate knowledge and cultural heritage, and to pass them to the generations to come. Through learning, we nurture a world of refinement.
To embody dignity through cultivated self-awareness. Bearing itself becomes the most enduring form of influence.
To forge bonds of trust that transcend borders. To traverse cultures, and to unite them through mutual respect.
Our Heritage
— A trajectory of distinction
From the founding of the Academy in 2016 to the present day, ICPA has consistently pursued a singular philosophy — the synthesis of Japanese cultural depth with international standards.
International Accreditation
— Japan’s sole member
ICPA is recognised by the Leading Etiquette and Protocol Schools of the World (LEPSW) — the international federation of premier protocol institutions worldwide — as Japan’s sole accredited academy.
LEPSW is an international organisation that admits only one academy per country, conferring membership exclusively upon the institution recognised as the foremost authority in international protocol within its nation. This accreditation is a testament to the international calibre of ICPA’s curriculum, and to the academy’s role as the bridge through which Japanese cultural refinement reaches the world.
Further, all qualifications granted at ICPA are conferred by an independent body — IPAA (International Protocol Accreditation Association). The separation of education and accreditation ensures the objectivity and international credibility of every certification ICPA issues.
The ICPA Group
— Structure & Governance
ICPA comprises three specialist institutions, each entrusted with education, accreditation, and affiliation respectively. The clear separation of these roles ensures both the quality of education and the objectivity of certification.
Trusted Worldwide
— Clients, Partners & Affiliations
ICPA’s activities span the globe, founded upon enduring relationships of trust with institutions, enterprises, and distinguished professionals across nations.
- The English Manner United Kingdom
- The English Education United Kingdom
- The Culture Concierge United Kingdom
- Imperial Tours & Events Austria
- Excellenstima Spain
- Gloria South Korea
- Toyota Trike Corporation Japan
- Asian Development Capital Ltd. Japan
- Swing Ltd. (Old Hat) Japan
- Princess Room Ltd. Japan
- (and many other distinguished partners worldwide)
- Leading Etiquette and Protocol Schools of the World (LEPSW)
- Japan British Society
- Japan Austria Culture Exchange Society
- British Chamber of Commerce in Japan
- General Association of Cultural Inheritors of Japan
- H.E. Ayman Aly Kamel
Assistant Minister for Asia, Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific Islands
The first step at ICPA
will redefine your future
Begin your journey at ICPA
Admission into ICPA — a members-only institution — is admission into a fellowship of those who share a commitment to intellectual depth and cultivated bearing. We invite you to begin with an online briefing, or to request our prospectus.