ICU History

In the United States, there was a growing desire among some Christians to express their regrets to the Japanese people for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This good will culminated in support for the project to construct the university in Japan. To coordinate this American involvement and lead a fund-raising drive, the Japan International Christian University Foundation was established.

In Japan, a fund-raising campaign was also led, to which companies, organizations and people from all walks of life contributed. ICU is today the only Japanese university built by the good will of numerous people across international boundaries.

In April 1953, Japan's first four-year liberal arts college opened its doors to students. In the spring of 1957, the first class graduated from the College of Liberal Arts. In April of the same year, the Graduate School opened with a master's program in Education, followed in 1963 by Japan's first master's program in Public Administration. In 1964, a doctoral program was established in the Division of Education, followed, in 1976, by doctoral programs in the Division of Public Administration and the Division of Comparative Culture. A master's program in the Division of Natural Sciences was established in 1987.

Three Commitments of ICU

Our Academic Commitment

ICU was founded with a mission to help students pursue truth to its deeper realm and to enrich inner freedom. In order to attain the best results in the pursuit and conveyance of truth, it is essential to maintain the highest academic standards. In the present age, knowledge has a tendency to become fragmented and isolated, which, we believe, makes it useless. We believe it is of great importance to educate and nurture individuals who will integrate knowledge, interface with others in decisions with an awareness of responsibility. It is for this reason that ICU's College of Liberal Arts focuses upon liberal arts education.

Our Christian Commitment

As an institution of higher education, ICU's main goal is not to nurture Christians. Every student, however, is challenged through campus life to open his or her eyes to the existence of God in life and society. ICU offers this challenge and hopes that each student will actively pursue truth and subordinate self to the discovered truth. Methods and theories practiced at ICU are not unique, not different from those practiced elsewhere. Knowledge itself, however, is not the final objective; rather, it embodies other properties of significance. As such, knowledge, faith, and action are regarded as being intrinsically one and inseparable.

Our International Commitment

ICU, through the cooperative efforts of its faculty, staff, and students, has been working towards realization of true internationalism. As a result, the convergence of a variety of educational visions has been reflected in our educational process. As independent human beings, individual participants experience personal encounters with others which transcend the differences between cultures. Such communities may give rise to many types of tensions. Only through experiencing and adapting to such tensions may one discover methods for creating a viable way of life in the new world. For this purpose, ICU offers education in English and Japanese. Each member of this community must bear a considerable burden, but such efforts will certainly bear fruit. ICU, being in Japan, should serve as a bridge between Japan and the world.

Language Classes

The department draws upon more than 27 years' experience in helping students learn Japanese.  Because it enjoys the expertise not only of the ICU academic staff members, but of instructors from other universities throughout Japan and abroad, the teaching staff is dynamic, vibrant and innovative.

Eight levels of Japanese instruction are taught as indicated below.  The language of instruction is Japanese, except in the lower levels where English is occasionally used for grammatical explanation.  Class sections have about ten to fifteen students each.  The program runs for six weeks (Monday through Friday), with classes conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Afternoons are open for individual study, word-processor or laboratory work, consultation with teachers, and the special lectures, films and workshops of the Culture Program. 

Placement

Placement in classes is determined by an examination conducted the day after registration. CU makes every effort to place students in the course to which they are best suited.  No change in placement may be made after the first week.

Course Descriptions + Academic Credit

Credits have been approved by American and British universities.

Accommodations are in Japanese student residences.

Applicants

Applicants should be 18 years old or older and currently enrolled as degree-seeking students in or have graduated from a college or university, and have an academic interest in Japan. Applicants should be willing to undertake a rigorous program of Japanese language study and should have definite plans for the future application of their language skills. 

A general letter of recommendation is required, preferably from a professor or professional person who has some knowledge of Japan and who can verify the applicant's suitability and motivation for enrolling in this language program.  In addition, a Japanese language evaluation sheet is required from an applicant's most recent Japanese language instructor, or from a person qualified to evaluate the applicant's Japanese language skill. 

Each applicant is required to provide a transcript of college/university courses completed.  Students in the basic levels should have some knowledge of English, which may be used for explanations at that level.  Intermediate and advanced level courses are conducted entirely in Japanese.

For International Christian University Summer, please contact us.
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