Member Profiles:
Japan

Japan OpenCourseWare Consortium
The Japan OpenCourseWare Consortium (JOCW) was started as the Japan OCW Alliance with six top-rated Japanese universities, which launched their OCW site in May 2005. It was renewed as the Japan OCW Consortium with newly joined three universities on April 2006. The mission of JOCW is familiarizing OCW activity, assisting the higher educational institutions that will start OCW in Japan, and communicating with the foreign OCW-related organizations.

Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is a mainstay comprehensive university that places importance on its graduate schools. The university started out in 1876 as the Sapporo Agricultural College, the first modern academic institute in Japan. Over a long period of history, we have declared and cultivated our basic philosophies of education and research, namely "Frontier Spirit," "Global Perspectives," "All-round Education," and "Practical Learning."

Keio University
Since its foundation in 1858, Keio University has been a constant source of innovation in society. In accordance with founder Fukuzawa Yukichi's principles, our institution has continued to provide leadership for society as a whole in a wide variety of fields. Our achievements are the result of the valuable contributions of many individuals connected with Keio University who have proudly worked toward their goals in their respective fields in an environment of freedom and independence.

Kyoto University
Kyoto University was founded in 1897, the second university to be established in Japan, and consists of 17 graduate schools, 10 undergraduate faculties, and more than 30 research institutes and centers. Kyoto University dedicates its mission to sustain and develop its historical commitment to academic freedom and to pursue harmonious coexistence within human and ecological community on this planet.

Kyushu University
The history of Kyushu University dates back to 1903 when Fukuoka Medical College was established as the foundation of Kyushu Imperial University. In 1911, Kyushu Imperial University, along with the Colleges of Medicine and Engineering, were established. At present, there are 11 Undergraduate Schools, 17 Graduate Schools, 16 Faculties, three Research Institutes and one Hospital.

Nagoya University
Located in the heart of Japan, Nagoya University is one of the foremost national universities representing Japan. Nagoya University has established its mission as the contribution to the happiness of the people through research and education on humanity, society, and nature. In particular, it aspires to foster the harmonious development of human nature and science, and to conduct highly advanced research and education that overlook the broad sweep of humanities, social and natural sciences.

Osaka University
Founded in 1931, Osaka University is recognized as one of Japan's most prominent universities, with 10 schools, 15 graduate schools, five research institutes, and two national joint-use facilities. The university's motto is "Live Locally, Grow Globally." By allowing students to fully absorb the university's educational goals of "Critical Thinking, Imagination, and Transcultural Communicability," Osaka University is striving to educate talented individuals who can provide answers for social concerns and needs.

Tokyo Institute of Technology
 

University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 as the first national university in Japan. It offers courses in essentially all academic disciplines at both undergraduate and graduate levels and provides research facilities for these disciplines. The University aims to provide its students with opportunities for intellectual development as well as for the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills. The University is known for the excellence of its faculty and students and since its foundation many of its graduates have been leaders in government, business, and the academic world.

Waseda University
Founded in 1882 by Shigenobu Okuma, once prime minister and regarded as the father of Japanese national modernization, Waseda University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It comprises 11 undergraduate, 14 graduate, and five professional graduate schools covering most areas of social and natural sciences, liberal arts, and engineering, with more than 50,000 students and 5,000 faculty members on eight campuses, four of which are located in central Tokyo. More than 490,000 Waseda graduates are actively taking leading roles in various fields around the world.

United Nations University
Established in 1973 by the UN General Assembly, the United Nations University is an international community of scholars contributing through research and capacity building to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are of concern to the UN, its Peoples and Member States. The University operates through a worldwide network of research and postgraduate training centres, with its planning and coordinating headquarters in Tokyo.