Hey Nikosil,
Sorry for taking quite some time to reply to your answer. I've not only been busy preparing for my admission interview (or oral examination), but also with my work as a disaster risk management researcher.
Regarding the results of my interview, I am delighted to tell you that I have been successfully admitted for enrolment in September 2016 at GPSS-GLI and I would be officially nominated by GPSS-GLI for a 2016 MEXT scholarship to the Japanese government. This week, I also just sent via courier to ILO the documents required for my 2016 MEXT scholarship nomination through GPSS-GLI.
My interview was attended by 10 GPSS-GLI faculty members, including the Dean of GSFS. However, out of the 10 interview panel members, only three asked questions, while the remaining seven just listened to my answers. At the beginning of the interview, questions mostly came from my prospective thesis advisor who asked me about my research plan. Since I studied my short essays more than my research plan, I struggled a bit in answering his questions. It was a bit weird though, because despite the GPSS-GLI oral examination guidelines listing first submitted short essays as one of the topics in the interview, none of them asked anything about my short essays (which I anticipated the most). After my prospective advisor asked his questions, most of the following questions from other interview panel members were personal and no longer academic. They asked me about my work, career plan, family's financial situation, and Japan as my study destination. Throughout the interview, I was just myself (both as a person and professional) and straight to the point in answering their questions. When asked if and why I wanted to go to Japan, I answered yes and told them that, if given the chance to study there, I would love to since I'm a big fan of anime and manga. Contrary to other people's advice or opinion, my admission of my love for anime and manga did not offend them, as it made all of them laugh and made me relatable to them until the end of the interview.
Overall, I believe the interview was more of like getting to know you as a person, whether they could work with you or not in your research. Nonetheless, I believe that if you're sincere with your answers, and truly know yourself as a professional in relation to the course, I'm definite that they will accept you into the program.
Thanks again for giving me your advice. I hope by sharing my experience here helps you and other prospective applicants as well.
See you soon in Kashiwa!
Hello there.
I had also applied this December for a position in the master's degree in the GPSS-GLI but due to a mistake on my application (i applied as a student that requires the 2016 MEXT Scholarship, even though i had already won the 2015 MEXT Scholarship) i will become a research student first and take the entrance examination again the upcoming April, 2016.
Now to get back to your question. Even though i didn't personally experience the interview, i had come in contact with some people that have and from their sayings all the questions are regarding (just like you mentioned) your short essays, your research plan (they might ask you if you have thought about a time table concerning your methodology) and other issues such as your motivation and previous experiences that are connected somewhat to the degree.
Unfortunately, i cannot help you any further when it comes to the interview because as i mentioned, i didn't experience it personally as of yet. However, given that we will be colleagues very soon, i wish you the best and i will be very happy to hear the progress and results of your interview.
All the best my friend.