Group Classes
ICPA’s qualification programmes are conducted as intimate group classes in Tokyo. This page presents the Japanese Protocol and International Protocol tracks (Social, Business and Diplomatic), taught in English over seven days, together with the dates for 2027.
Learning Together
A group class at ICPA is far more than a course. Executives, diplomats, and members of distinguished families — each of a different path — gather under a shared aspiration to learn together.
Every class is kept deliberately small, with no more than ten members. And whilst you learn alongside others, the Founding Principal walks beside each member individually. The advisory relationship is preserved throughout, within the class and beyond it.
Learning together, guided individually.
The Value of Company
Programmes & Schedule
Each qualification track is a seven-day group class held in Tokyo and taught in English, from Monday to Sunday. Lectures and practical sessions fill the first five days; the examination follows on Saturday, and the certification ceremony on Sunday.
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | Lectures and practical sessions |
| Saturday | Examination |
| Sunday | Certification Ceremony |
◇ Members who are unable to attend the examination and the ceremony may depart on Friday
◇ Online-only and hybrid study (online with in-person sessions) is offered as private tuition
| Season | Social | Business | Diplomatic | Apply by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 29 Mar – 4 Apr | 5 – 11 Apr | 12 – 18 Apr | 25 Dec 2026 |
| Autumn | 11 – 17 Oct | 18 – 24 Oct | 25 – 31 Oct | 11 Jul 2027 |
| Season | Social | Business | Diplomatic | Apply by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 24 – 30 May | 31 May – 6 Jun | 7 – 13 Jun | 24 Feb 2027 |
| Autumn | 15 – 21 Nov | 22 – 28 Nov | 29 Nov – 5 Dec | 15 Aug 2027 |
◇ The three tracks of each season follow one another in consecutive weeks, so a member who wishes to qualify in more than one track may remain in Tokyo for the whole period
◇ Each week runs from Monday to Sunday, concluding with the examination on Saturday and the ceremony on Sunday
◇ A track opens only when at least three members are enrolled
Applications must be completed three months before a class begins. The deadline shown for each season applies to all three tracks of that season.
Private Tuition
For members who wish to study entirely online, or through a combination of online and in-person sessions, ICPA offers private tuition. The schedule is arranged individually, and is not tied to the dates of the group classes above.
Please begin with an enquiry, and we will advise on the arrangement that suits you.
The Certification Ceremony
A dinner at the French restaurant
of a five-star hotel
The week concludes with the certification ceremony on Sunday, held as a dinner at the French restaurant of a five-star hotel and opened with a toast. The evening is itself an occasion to practise what has been learnt.
Members who depart on Friday are not required to attend the examination or the ceremony. Their examination and certification are arranged individually.
Beyond the Qualification
Those who obtain a qualification may publish their own profile upon the website of the International Protocol Accreditation Association (IPAA). Your standing is thereby recorded where it may be seen — by institutions, by prospective clients, and by the wider profession.
Advisory and mentoring from the Founding Principal continue thereafter, as they do for every member of the specialist family.
Admission & Enrolment
ICPA maintains small classes throughout. To preserve the quality of learning, the following applies.
Applications must be completed three months before a class begins.
- Each class is confirmed three months before it begins, and applications must therefore be completed by that time. Should the class be under-subscribed at that point, it will not proceed.
- Where a class does not proceed, you may transfer to private tuition or defer to the next season. As the continuity of your study is assured, fees are not refundable. A minimum of three members is required for a class to open.
- Each track opens twice a year, in spring and autumn, for both Japanese Protocol and International Protocol.
- Each class runs for seven days in Tokyo, from Monday to Sunday: lectures and practical sessions from Monday to Friday, the examination on Saturday, and the certification ceremony on Sunday.
- Members who are unable to attend the examination and the ceremony may depart on Friday.
- Online-only and hybrid study, combining online and in-person sessions, is offered as private tuition.
- Online tuition is exempt from Japanese consumption tax for those resident overseas. Where any portion of the tuition is received within Japan, consumption tax applies.
- Membership fees are shown and charged inclusive of consumption tax, whether you reside in Japan or overseas.
- Classes are scheduled to avoid the New Year, Golden Week, and Obon periods.
As a membership programme, further particulars are shared through our materials or an Introductory Session.
Four Steps
to Enrolment
Request Materials
Begin by requesting our materials. We will send full programme details, admission particulars, and the schedule.
Introductory Session
We present the programme and the path of study in an Introductory Session, and welcome your questions.
Application
You submit the required documents. As a membership programme, a selection process applies.
Enrolment
Upon acceptance, you complete enrolment and join your group class at its opening.
Begin with our materials
or a briefing
Programme details, the curriculum, and how to apply are shared through our materials.
As a membership programme, we invite you to begin with a request for materials or an Introductory Session.