Okayama University

Okayama Prefecture is known for its educational history and cultural achievements. In 1670, the Lord of Okayama built a school for the commons. It was called the “Shizutani-school” and was the first school for the common people founded in Japan for the feudal period. Special efforts beginning before the Meiji Period (19th century) were made to establish a number of schools, which led to the present-day Okayama University.

Okayama University originates from the Okayama-Han(domain) Medical Training School founded in 1870 by the family of Lord Ikeda who already founded the domain school for the samurai that continued for 200 years. This medical school was reorganized several times and became Okayama Medical College in 1922, which merged with several schools such as the Okayama Medical School and the Sixth Higher School, and was established as Okayama National University in 1949.

In 2004, Okayama National University was reorganized as a National University Corporation. Okayama University enjoys the reputation of being one of Japan’s leading universities and will undoubtedly continue to develop its excellence in both education and research in the future.