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Tohoku University

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For the Chinese university with the identical name in Chinese and Japanese, see Northeastern University (China).

Tohoku University (東北大学, Tōhoku daigaku) is a public research university in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. It is colloquially referred to as Tohokudai (東北大, Tōhokudai) or Tonpei (トンペイ, Tompei).

Tohoku University
東北大学
Motto
  • 研究第一主義 (research first principle)
  • 門戸開放 (open-door policy)
  • 実学尊重 (respect for practical studies)
TypePublic (National)
EstablishedJune 22, 1907
Academic affiliations
APRU, AEARU, HeKKSaGOn, T.I.M.E., RENKEI
EndowmentUS$1.3 billion
(JP¥120,138 billion)
PresidentTeiji Tominaga
Administrative staff
5,756
Undergraduates11,094
Postgraduates7,704
Other students
1,346 (international students)
Location
Sendai, Miyagi
,
Japan
CampusUrban, 250 ha (620 acres)
Colors  Violet
  Black[1]
Sporting affiliations
TCAA, SEN6 [ja]
Websitewww.tohoku.ac.jp/english

Established in 1907 as the third of the Imperial Universities, after the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, it initially focused on science and medicine, later expanding to include humanities studies as well.

In 2016, Tohoku University had 10 faculties, 16 graduate schools and 6 research institutes, with a total enrollment of 17,885 students.[2] The university's three core values are "Research First (研究第一主義)," "Open-Doors (門戸開放)," and "Practice-Oriented Research and Education (実学尊重)."

History

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Albert Einstein visiting Tohoku Imperial University in 1922
 
Tohoku University (Katahira campus Main Gate)

On 22 June 1907 (Mēji 40), Tohoku Imperial University (東北帝國大學, Tōhoku teikoku daigaku) was established by the Meiji government as the third Imperial University of Japan, after Tokyo Imperial University (1877) and Kyoto Imperial University (1897). From its inception, it advocated 'Open-door' policies, becoming the first university in Japan to accept both female students in 1913, and foreign students.[3]

It was not until 1911 that teaching and research activities started in Sendai. When the university was founded in 1907 it only had one faculty (college), the College of Agriculture, in Sapporo, Hokkaido. This college, originally founded in 1875 as the Sapporo Agricultural College (札幌農學校, Sapporo nō gakkō), precedes the establishment of the university, and in 1918, it became independent to form another imperial university, Hokkaido Imperial University, in its own right. The School of Science was established in Sendai in 1911, followed by the School of Medicine (formerly Sendai Medical College) in 1915, the Faculty of Engineering in 1919, and the Faculty of Law and Literature in 1922.[4]

In 1947, during the post-war educational reform, the university dropped the word 'imperial' along with other imperial universities, and assumed its current name, Tohoku University. It was also this year that the university's academic scope came to cover agriculture again, with the establishment of a new Faculty of Agriculture in Sendai. In 1949, the Faculty of Law and Literature was split to form independent faculties of Law, Literature, and Economics. A Faculty of Education was added in 1949, Dentistry in 1965, and Pharmacy in 1972. Tohoku has been a National University Corporation since April 2004.[4]

2011 Tōhoku earthquake

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Subsequent to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the university was declared closed until further notice, but with a tentative re-opening date of the end of the following April.[5]

The Aobayama, Katahira, Amamiya, and Kawauchi campuses are all at least 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) from the ocean, towards the mountains, and therefore suffered no damage resulting from the tsunami. No deaths or serious injuries within the faculty and student body were reported on campus grounds. However, earthquake damage lead to the closure of 27 buildings and caused millions of dollars of damage to equipment. Classes have resumed normally since early May 2011 and plans for restoring, reinforcing or replacing damaged buildings are underway.

The radiology department has been actively measuring radiation levels throughout the city of Sendai since the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant meltdown, which is about 100 kilometers south. So far no alarming levels of radiation have been detected.

Campuses

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  Campus locations

Principal four campuses are in the Sendai City, Japan;

  • Katahira (片平, Katahira)
Administration Unit. and Principal institutes
  • Kawauchi (川内, Kawauchi)
North-Kawauchi; The freshmen and sophomore of all undergraduates
South-Kawauchi; Law, Education, Economics, Letters
  • Seiryo (星陵, Seiryō)
Medicine, Dentistry
  • Aobayama (青葉山, Aobayama)
Science, Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture

Amamiya campus and some institutes transferred to the new extension at Aobayama campus in April 2017 [1].

Research institutes

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  • Research Institute of Electrical Communication (電気通信研究所, 通研, Denki Tsūshin Kenkyūsjo, Tsūken)[6]
  • Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (加齢医学研究所, Karei Igaku Kenkyūjo)[7]
  • Institute of Fluid Science (流体科学研究所, Ryūtai Kagaku Kenkyūsyo)[8]
  • Institute for Materials Research,IMR (金属材料研究所, 金研, Kinzoku Zairyō Kenkyūsjo, Kinken)[9]
National Collaborative Research Institute
  • Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (多元物質科学研究所, Tagen Busshitsu Kagaku Kenkyūjo)[10]
  • International Research Institute of Disaster Science (災害科学国際研究所, Saigai Kagaku Kokusai Kenkyūjo)[11]
  • Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (東北メディカル・メガバンク機構, Tōhoku Medikaru Megabanku kikō)[12]

Centers and facilities

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University library

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  • Tohoku University library
  • Medical Library
  • Kita-Aobayama Library
  • Engineering Library
  • Agricultural Library

University hospital

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  • Tohoku University Hospital Seiryo

Inter-department institutes for education and research

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  • Center for Northeast Asian Studies
  • Center for the Advancement of Higher Education
    • Health Administration Center
    • University Counseling Center
    • Admission Center
    • Center for Career Support
    • Center for Culture and Language Education
  • The Center for Academic Resources and Archives
  • Institute for International Advanced Research and Education Organization
  • Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center
  • New Industry Creation Hatchery Center (NICHe)
  • Center for Interdisciplinary Research
  • Technology Center for Research and Education Activities
    • Center for Low-Temperature Science
    • High-Voltage Electron Microscope Laboratory
  • Information Synergy Organization
    • Information Synergy Center (National Collaboration Institution)

Collaborating institutions

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  • Office of Cooperative Research and Development
  • Office for Strategic Promotion of Basic Research
  • Center for Research Strategy and Support(CRESS)
  • Environment Conservation Research Institute
  • Center for International Exchange
  • Archaeological Research office on the Campus
  • Global Operations center
  • Campus Planning office

Administration unit

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Tohoku University Overseas Office

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Tohoku University US Office
Tohoku University China Office

Biomedical Engineering Research Organization

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e-learning system

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  • Internet School of Tohoku University (ISTU)

Dormitories

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  • Ibun-ryo (以文寮, Ibun ryō)
  • Josyun-ryo (如春寮, Josyun ryō)
  • Seifu-ryo (霽風寮, Seifū ryō)
  • Nissyu-ryo (日就寮, Nissyū ryō)
  • Meizen-ryo (明善寮, Meizen ryō)
  • Matsukaze-ryo (松風寮, Matsukaze ryō)
  • University House Sanjo (ユニバーシティ・ハウス三条, University House Sanjo)
  • International House (国際交流会館, Kokusai kōryū kaikan)

Academic rankings

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University rankings
THE National[13] General 1
T. Reuters National[14] Research 4
Shimano National[15] Selectivity SA
QS Asia
(Asia version)[16]		 General 25
THE Asia
(Asia version)[17]		 General 20
ARWU Asia[18] Research 8
THE World[19] General 120
QS World[20] General 107
ARWU World[18] Research 201–300
ENSMP World[21] Alumni 13

Tohoku University has a high reputation, and this is recognised as shown in the rankings below.

General rankings

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In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, it is ranked 130th globally, making it the third-highest-ranking university in Japan, after the University of Tokyo (29th) and Kyoto University (55th).[22] The Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings, which focus more on teaching and engagement than the world university rankings, placed Tohoku University 1st in Japan in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.[23][24][21]

In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Tohoku University is ranked 113th globally and fifth in Japan, after UTokyo, KyotoU, OsakaU, and Tokyo Tech.[25]

Subject rankings

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Program rankings
Engineering
QS World[29] General 56
MATERIALS SCIENCE
T.Reuters National[30] Research 1
T.Reuters World[30] Research 3
PHYSICS
T.Reuters National[30] Research 2
T.Reuters World[30] Research 10
CHEMISTRY
T.Reuters National[30] Research 4
T.Reuters World[30] Research 20
BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
T.Reuters National[30] Research 7
T.Reuters World[30] Research 113
Life Sciences
IMMUNOLOGY
T.Reuters National[30] Research 6
T.Reuters World[30] Research 142
PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
T.Reuters National[30] Research 3
T.Reuters World[30] Research 64
* T. Reuters World rankings include non-educational institutions

Research performance

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Tohoku University is one of the top research institutions in Japan. According to Thomson Reuters, Tohoku University is the fourth best research university in Japan.[14] Its research excellence is especially distinctive in Materials Science (1st in Japan, third in the world), Physics (2nd in Japan, tenth in the world), Pharmacology & Toxicology (3rd in Japan, 64th in the world) and Chemistry (6th in Japan, 20th in the world).[35]

Times Higher Education also reported that Tohoku University was ranked 3rd in Japan (201st - 250th in the world) for the World University Rankings 2022 by Subject: social sciences.[36] The social sciences ranking includes the weightings such as Research: volume, income and reputation (accounts for 32.6 per cent) and Citations: research influence (accounts for 25 per cent).[37]

In addition, Nature Index ranked Tohoku University as 4th in Japan (90th in the world, 38th in Asia Pacific) on 2023 tables: Institutions.[38] The 2022 tables are based on Nature Index data from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. Before the 2022 edition, Nature Index also ranked Tohoku University as 5th in Japan (77th in the world, 28th in Asia Pacific) on 2021 tables: Institutions, that are based on Nature Index data from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.[39]

According to the Qs World university rankings　on 2012/9 surveyed about the general standards in Engineering&Technology field, Tohoku university was placed 56th (world), fifth (national).[40]

As Tohoku University has been emphasizing 'practical' research, Tohoku received the top place for its number of patents accepted (324) during 2009 among Japanese Universities.[41]

Graduate school rankings

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Tohoku University Law School is one of the most famous Law schools in Japan, as it was ranked fifth in the passing rate of Japanese Bar Examination in 2020.[42]

Alumni rankings

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Mines ParisTech : Professional Ranking World Universities ranks Tohoku University as 13th in the world (5th in Japan) in 2011 in terms of the number of alumni listed among CEOs in the 500 largest worldwide companies.[43]

Popularity and selectivity

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Tohoku University is regarded as a selective university, with its faculty of medicine being particularly noted for its selectivity. It is usually ranked amongst the most selective STEM degrees in the country, alongside the medicine, engineering and science degrees at the University of Tokyo and the faculties of medicine of TMDU, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, and Keio.[44]

Evaluation from business world

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The university ranking according to the order of the evaluation by Personnel Departments of Leading Companies in Japan
Ranking
Japan 3rd[45] (out of 788[46]　universities in Japan as of 2021)
Source 2021 Nikkei Survey[47] to all listed (3,714[48]) and leading unlisted (1,100), totally 4,850 companies[47]

People

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Successive presidents

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Akihisa Inoue (left) talked with James P. Zumwalt (chargé d'affaires) and Ann Kambara at Tohoku University in 2009.

Notable people associated with Tohoku University

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Many world-class celebrities have attended or served at Tohoku University.

Sciences

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Engineering

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Literature and art

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Mathematics, economics and business

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Politics

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "東北大学ロゴマーク使用マニュアル-カラーパレット" (in Japanese). Tohoku University. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  2. ^ Tohoku University Annual Review Tohoku University's official website accessed June 2018
  3. ^ on castle grounds, Tokuku.ac.jp, Retrieved 17 August 2016
  4. ^ a b "History of Tohoku University Campus". tohoku.ac.jp. Tohoku University. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Important notices from Tohoku University (11:00 AM, March 14th, 2011)".
  6. ^ Research Institute of Electrical Communication On Tohoku University's official website accessed at December 15, 2008
  7. ^ Institute of Development Aging and Cancer On Tohoku University's official website accessed at December 15, 2008
  8. ^ Institute of Fluid Science On Tohoku University's official website accessed at December 15, 2008
  9. ^ Institute for Material Research Archived 2007-08-17 at the Wayback Machine On Tohoku University's official website accessed at December 15, 2008
  10. ^ Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials On Tohoku University's official website accessed at December 15, 2008
  11. ^ "IRIDeS - International Research Institute of Disaster Science". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  12. ^ "ToMMo ｜ Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization". ToMMo ｜ Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (in Japanese). 2015-02-10. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  13. ^ "Japan University Rankings 2023". Times Higher Education. 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Thomson Reuters 20 Top research institutions in Japan". Thomson Reuters. 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2022. (this ranking includes 5 non-educational institutions)
  15. ^ "GBUDU University Rankings" (in Japanese). YELL books. 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  16. ^ "QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025". QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings". Times Higher Education. 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Academic Ranking of World Universities". Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "THE World University Rankings". Times Higher Education. 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "QS World University Rankings". QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "ENSMP World University Rankings" (PDF). École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris. 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  22. ^ "World University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  23. ^ "Japan University Rankings 2022". Times Higher Education (THE). 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  24. ^ "Japan University Rankings 2020". 19 March 2020.
  25. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2024". Top Universities. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  26. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024". QS World University Rankings.
  27. ^ "World University Rankings by subject". Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
  28. ^ "ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023". Academic Ranking of World Universities.
  29. ^ "QS topuniversities world rankings in Engineering field". Topuniversities. 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Thomson Reuters 10 Top research institutions by subject in Japan" (in Japanese). Thomson Reuters. 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  31. ^ Asahi Shimbun University rankings 2010 "Publification rankings in Law (Page 4)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Asahi Shimbun. 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  32. ^ "Kawaijuku japanese universities rankings in Engineering field" (in Japanese). Kawaijuku. 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  33. ^ a b "ARWU in Mathematics". Shanghai Jiaotong University. 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  34. ^ a b "ARWU in Computer Science". Shanghai Jiaotong University. 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  35. ^ "Thomson Reuters 20 Top research institutions in Japan" (in Japanese). Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. (this ranking includes non-educational institutions)
  36. ^ "World University Rankings 2022 by subject: social sciences". Times Higher Education (THE). 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  37. ^ "World University Rankings 2022 by subject: social sciences methodology". Times Higher Education (THE). 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  38. ^ "2023 tables: Institutions | Annual tables | Nature Index". www.natureindex.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  39. ^ "2021 tables: Institutions | Annual tables | Nature Index". www.natureindex.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  40. ^ "QS world university ranking（2012）". topuniversities.com. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  41. ^ "13.2009年国内大学別特許公開件数 | 特許庁 アーカイブ" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  42. ^ "令和２年司法試験法科大学院等別合格者数等（合格率順）" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  43. ^ "INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL RANKING OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS 2011 SURVEY | MINES ParisTech" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  44. ^ "入試難易予想ランキング表 | 志望校をさがす | 河合塾 Kei-Net". www.keinet.ne.jp. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  45. ^ Survey on the image seen from human resources personnel：Ranking of the ability to get jobs｜Nikkei HR 2021.06.02　release
  46. ^ The number of universities in Japan is 788 as of April 1, 2021.｜Ōbun Sha
  47. ^ a b Image held by human resources personnel of companies of Japan / Valuation from the ex-students already employed / The Nikkei・Nikkei HR Survey　2021-06-02
  48. ^ Number of listed companies & listed shares of stock｜JPX
  49. ^ Garcia, Alejandro V.; Cowles, Robert A.; Kato, Tomoaki; Hardy, Mark A. (2012-05-01). "Morio Kasai: a remarkable impact beyond the Kasai procedure". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 47 (5): 1023–1027. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2012.01.065. ISSN 1531-5037. PMC 3356564. PMID 22595595.
  50. ^ "Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering honours magnet pioneer". BBC News. 1 February 2022.
  51. ^ CNN rebroadcasting NHK, 13 March 2011.
  52. ^ "草原名人：开创蒙古语言研究黄金时期的清格尔泰 (zh) Cǎoyuán míngrén: Kāichuàng ménggǔ yǔyán yánjiū huángjīn shíqí de qīng gé ěr tài [Famous man of the steppe: Chinggaltai, who pioneered the golden age of Mongolian language research]". People's Daily. 2007-07-19. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
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