Japan - Introduction

Oxford University has enjoyed a long, rich and fruitful history with Japan. The first Japanese book arrived at the Bodleian library in 1629, and the first Japanese students arrived to study at Oxford in the late 19th century. Tomotsune Iwakura, the third son of Tomomi Iwakura, then Minister of the Right in Japan, was among the first. He was followed by many others, including Tsuda Umeko, founder of Japan’s first private women’s school of higher education, who studied at St Hilda’s College.

The University has enjoyed close links with the Japanese Imperial Family, dating back to the 1920s, when His Imperial Highness Prince Chichibu studied at Oxford. More recently, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako both studied at the University.

Oxford’s relationship with Japan has grown from strength to strength as the University has expanded its study of Japan, collaborated with Japanese scientific institutions, educated talented Japanese students and received major gifts from Japanese supporters of the University’s work.

As a mark of the importance with which Oxford holds its relationship with Japan, one of the University’s three international offices is based in Tokyo. In addition, Oxford University Press have had an office in Japan since 1957, and OUP Japan today employs over 50 staff members, publishes ELT and academic materials, and offers teacher training and ELT consultancy.