The Programmes
A Trinity of Tiers · A Cultivation for Every CallingThree tiers of cultivation
— for every standing and calling
ICPA’s programmes are organised into three tiers. The Special Programmes are reserved for the distinguished of international society and for those who attend upon them. The Mainline Eight form the core of ICPA’s specialist qualifications for executives and professionals. Youth Education is set apart for the next generation. Each tier answers, with quiet precision, to a particular standing and calling.
Each programme bears its own distinguished name in the British tradition: The Royal Elegance, The Executive Pinnacle, The Imperial Diplomacy, The Gentleman’s Mastery ── the name itself bespeaks the world of the course, in ICPA’s singular taxonomy.
All programmes commence upon admission to the Academy as a member. We invite you to choose the singular path that most befits your standing and aspiration.
ICPA is not a place of study
but a place we walk together
Entrusted by those who set
the standards of the world
ICPA’s standing is not asserted; it is demonstrated by those who have chosen to learn here. The most discerning judges of protocol in the world have entrusted their cultivation to the International Protocol Academy of Japan.
H.E. Ambassador Ayman Kamel
Ambassador to Slovakia, formerly to JapanA serving Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Slovak Republic, formerly to Japan, and Recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star — under whose patronage ICPA is honoured to operate.
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command
Chief of ProtocolThe Chief of Protocol travelled from the United States to Japan to obtain ICPA’s Japanese Diplomatic Protocol Specialist Qualification. Instruction is now delivered on US soil.
The Distinguished of International Society
From the world’s highest stagesThose who engage with heads of state — including the Prime Minister of Malaysia and members of the Thai Royal Family — and those who move in the social circles of Monaco, Dubai, and the European courts.
Government Officials & UN Affiliates
Institutional ConfidenceOfficials of national governments and individuals affiliated with the United Nations have studied under ICPA’s instruction — bringing the academy’s protocol education to the service of the international community.
Special Programmes
— the twin summits of ICPA
Two distinguished programmes are set at the very summit of ICPA — reserved respectively for the distinguished of international society, and for the consummate specialists who attend upon them. Each represents the highest order of its calling.
International Social Protocol
The Royal Elegance
For the royal weddings, the state banquets, the Bal de la Rose in Monaco, the debut at the Wiener Opernball, the charity galas of London — the consummate course for those who would carry themselves with luminous grace upon the world’s most resplendent stages. True elegance shines only when wedded to bearing.
This programme is offered exclusively in bespoke form, under the personal instruction of the Founding Principal. A certificate of completion is conferred; this is, however, a private cultivation of the highest order, distinct from the accredited qualification courses.
The Executive Pinnacle
The Pinnacle of Service to the Distinguished
For butlers, personal attendants, and protocol officers who attend upon royal families, heads of state, and international dignitaries — the summit of the consummate professional who serves the distinguished. The world’s standards of bearing and judgement, taught systematically to those whose calling is the highest order of service.
A pinnacle of specialist education, delivered under the personal instruction of the Founding Principal.
The Mainline Eight
— International & Japanese, side by side
The core of ICPA’s specialist qualifications. International Protocol (four qualifications) and Japanese Protocol (three qualifications) stand side by side as equal disciplines — a singular educational system found in no other institution in the world. Reserved for executives, diplomats, government officials, and consummate specialists across every discipline.
International Social Protocol
The Social EleganceRooted in the venerable tradition of the British finishing school, this is the entry course in the mainline curriculum of international social refinement. Also the natural antechamber to The Royal Elegance.
For those preparing for overseas postings, international society, or cultivated social engagement.
Learn more →International Business Protocol
The Global AuthorityFor the boardrooms of multinational enterprise, international negotiations, and corporate diplomacy — the executive presence and strategic bearing that the highest tier of global business demands.
For CEOs, board members, and senior leaders of global enterprise.
Learn more →International Diplomatic Protocol
The Diplomatic ExcellenceThe venerable disciplines of international diplomacy — protocol of state, court tradition, and the codes of foreign service. For those who bear the dignity of nations upon their conduct.
For diplomats, government officers, and protocol authorities.
Learn more →Liberal Arts of Refinement
The Gentleman’s MasteryA venerable curriculum in the liberal arts of the cultivated gentleman — wine, art, conversation, attire, and the philosophical foundations of bearing. The most sought-after programme among gentlemen.
For physicians, barristers, family heirs, and gentlemen of aspiration.
Learn more →Japanese Social Protocol
The Yamato EleganceThe luminous refinement of Japanese society — the tea ceremony, the kaiseki tradition, the codes of omotenashi. The consummate elegance of an imperial heritage, brought to the international salon.
For Japanese cultural specialists, Japanese living abroad, and international scholars of Japan.
Learn more →Japanese Business Protocol
The Bushido CodeThe discipline, honour, and refined comportment of Japanese executive culture, rooted in the venerable code of bushido. Studied by U.S. military personnel, foreign C-suite executives, and international counterparts of Japanese enterprise.
For foreign executives engaging with Japan, and U.S. military personnel.
Learn more →Japanese Diplomatic Protocol
The Imperial DiplomacyThe most venerable curriculum in Japanese diplomatic tradition — imperial court protocol, state ceremony, and the codes of sovereign reception. The Chief of Protocol of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has obtained this qualification.
For diplomats, foreign government officers, and those engaging with Japan.
Learn more →Youth Education
— for those who shall lead tomorrow
A distinct educational tier reserved for the heirs of distinguished families and for university scholars preparing for international careers. Cultivation begins early, and reaches deepest.
Junior Programme · Ages 7–18
The Young DiplomatsThe cultivation of bearing for the children of distinguished families — heirs to the world stage, who shall one day bear the dignity of their lineage in international circles.
For the children of executives, diplomats, and distinguished families.
Learn more →University Programme
The Sovereign ScholarsIn the lineage of Le Rosey, Eton, and Sciences Po — an intensive curriculum for university students preparing for international careers in diplomacy, statesmanship, and global enterprise.
For university students preparing for international careers.
Learn more →Corporate & Organisational Training
— for the bearing of institutions
Beyond ICPA’s programmes for individuals, we offer bespoke training for governments, embassies, and global corporations — programmes that elevate the bearing of an entire institution.
Drawing upon ICPA’s record of training the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, foreign embassies in Tokyo, Netflix, and enterprises rooted in the Toyota founding family, each engagement is tailored with care to the venerable purpose of the organisation it serves.
Choose the singular path
that befits you
Three Tiers · Eleven Paths · One Destination
The Special Programmes, the Mainline Eight, and Youth Education — three tiers, eleven paths.
We invite you to choose the course that most befits your standing and aspiration.
Begin with an online briefing, or request our prospectus.