Tokyo Institute of Technology

Overview

The Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) is Japan’s biggest tertiary education institution for science and technology and one of the most prestigious universities in the country. It is also among Japan’s leading research institutions and has the nation’s biggest library dedicated to science and technology. Furthermore, Tokyo Tech is one of the country’s most selective universities.
Tokyo Tech is divided into six schools and 20 departments, offering more than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Numerous English-taught programs are also provided for international learners. Meanwhile, students taking up science and technology programs work with curricula that integrate their studies from the bachelor level until the doctorate level. Tokyo Tech’s most highly regarded subjects include Chemistry, Engineering and Technology, Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Materials Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Mechanical Engineering.
In terms of research, Tokyo Tech also has an impressive background. It conducts research in its 50-plus centers and institutes, tackling a wide scope of disciplines, including Politics and Social Sciences, Engineering and Computing, Chemistry and Life Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy. Collectively, the studies are devoted to achieving any of the three major research goals: the betterment of society, advancements in industry and innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Tokyo Tech is composed of three campuses in Meguro (main campus), Shibaura, and Midori-ku, respectively. The main campus affords a majestic view of Mount Fuji as well as a collection of buildings and fixtures adorned by remarkable architecture. Its main library contains over 674,000 publications and 2,500 journals. Other special features include several cafeterias, convenience stores, and easy access to public transport networks.
Founded in 1881, Tokyo Tech was established by Japan’s governor, aimed at widening the competencies of engineers and craftsmen. The institution was granted national university status in 1929, which led to its quick expansion as it added several research facilities thereafter. Today, it has become recognized as a global source of research for condensed matter and supercomputing technology.
Tokyo Tech, as of 2020, welcomes around 4,900 undergraduates, 5,000 postgraduates, and 1,300 teaching staff. It has gone on to develop one of the world’s best-performing supercomputers in Tsubame. In addition, the institution has amassed around 641 patents, 12,326 publications, 78 start-ups in its portfolio, and has produced a Nobel laureate.
Tokyo Tech’s notable alumni include Naoto Kan (politician), Hideki Shirakawa (chemist), Toshikazu Sunada (mathematician), Kazuo Shinohara (architect), Akitoshi Kawazu (game designer), and Satoru Iwata (businessman).
As an institution of technology, Tokyo Tech aims to achieve global peace and prosperity through research and education. With this, it imparts knowledge not only on science but also in liberal arts for the holistic growth of its learners.