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Yamaguchi University is the third oldest national comprehensive university in Japan, tracing its roots back to Yamaguchi Kodo, a private school established in 1815. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2015. The local area still holds the Meiji Restoration spirit, and the university challenges itself to stand up in the world. These values are reflected in the university motto: "Discover it. Nourish it. Realize it. A Place of Wisdom." The university administration works to adapt to the requirements of the times, continually pursuing innovation as it works to develop human resources and provide education and research that will contribute to the local community and international society. The commitment to progress and innovation is evident in many of the recent changes in the university. April 2015 saw the establishment of the Faculty of Global and Science Studies. This new faculty has become a force for globalization throughout the campus and recognizing the importance of this globalization, and we welcomed 100 international exchange students to the faculty in October 2016. In April 2016, the Graduate School of Technology and Sciences for Innovation started to encourage comprehensive, innovative education and research in science, engineering, and agriculture to develop graduate education in the sciences further. Yamaguchi University is currently working toward a diversified campus. The international students and researchers that gather here from around the world can have the best possible environment for their studies. In 2016, the university started the Yamaguchi University Fund as part of a celebration of 200 years of history. This fund has allowed for further progress in providing support for international students. At Yamaguchi University, we want the students and researchers who come to study with us to think of Yamaguchi as a second home and be truly glad that they came here. We will continue to improve our university and support system to make this possible. Though some might not understand the appeal of Yamaguchi University because we are not in a large urban area like Tokyo or Osaka, we are proud to provide a peaceful and safe environment, high-quality education and research, and a well-rounded support system, enabling students to study to their full potential. We invite you to pursue your dreams at Yamaguchi University. As the president of Yamaguchi University and as an alumnus, I look forward to seeing ambitious students cooperating and creating a bright new future together. Yamaguchi University traces its origins back to Yamaguchi Kodo, a private school founded by Ueda Hoyo, a feudal clansman of Choshu Province in the late Edo Period (1815). It was established to develop academics in Yamaguchi. Since then, and through various educational reforms, this academic institution has held its place as the core for higher education in Yamaguchi, contributed to the cultivation of human resources in the region, and produced many active international graduates. In 1949 it was reorganized to become a national university consisting of five faculties. Afterward, in 1964 Yamaguchi Prefectural Medical College was merged into the university to form the School of Medicine. In 1978 the Faculty of Literature and Science was split into the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Science. 2012 saw the establishment of the Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout the years, the university has expanded into a comprehensive university that boasts nine faculties and eight graduate schools. Most recently, the university launched the Faculty of Global and Science Studies in April 2015. The year 2015 marked the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Yamaguchi Kodo. As we continue, we at Yamaguchi University will strive to carry on our predecessors' legacy for another 200 years and take the university to even greater heights. Yamaguchi University's actions revolve around collaboration with community and global society in various fields such as research, education, medicine, culture, and economics. More specifically, the university looks to reinforce international collaboration through research, provide advanced medicine to the community, encourage lifelong learning and collaboration between industry and education, and cultivate and train human resources throughout society, from high-quality teachers to competent medical professionals. The university extensively shares its educational and research findings with society, initiates collaboration with community and global society, and contributes to social development through its role as a key university in the local area and its progress towards holding a unique niche Asia-Pacific region. View full university

Yamaguchi Prefectural University (YPU) is located in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the western part of Japan's main island between Hiroshima Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture. Yamaguchi Prefecture has easy access to Japan's main cities via bullet train, airplane, or car. It takes one and a half hours by plane or approximately five hours by bullet train from Tokyo to Yamaguchi. It is three hours from Kyoto/Osaka by bullet train. Yamaguchi is connected to Kyushu by a beautiful bridge crossing over the Kamon Straights and is only about half an hour from Fukuoka by bullet train. They are taught by 120 full-time teaching staff. The student-teacher ratio is low, and students can receive the utmost support from our teaching staff. We attempt to meet every student's needs, including overseas students, through a system of tutoring by both professors and peers. You will find a friendly atmosphere at the university, and we hope that Yamaguchi and YPU will become your second home. Many overseas students who had attended YPU have come back to Yamaguchi to study further or work on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (the JET program). We hope you will expand your horizons through the study abroad program we offer. Do you dream about studying overseas in Japan? What type of cultural exchange programs would you like to participate in while you are here? The International Office is always ready to work with you to ensure you find the right program for you. In addition to regular classes offered to all Japanese students, Yamaguchi Prefectural University offers a unique program for students coming to Japan for the first time. Yamaguchi Abroad is a comprehensive curriculum that includes Japanese language study, courses in the traditional arts of flower arrangement and tea ceremony, English courses about Japanese culture and society, and four courses that make up our Yamaguchi Studies program. Yamaguchi Studies is a unique collection of four courses covering the history, culture, crafts, and Yamaguchi people. Our talented and knowledgeable faculty teach all courses in coordination with local experts and nationally renowned poets, artists, and scholars. Each course features a combination of in-class and on-location components, which gets you out of the classroom and literally "into" local culture and history. View full university