Our Philosophy: GAKU-NO-JITSUGE (Harmony between Academia and Society)
Kansai University pursues educational research activities under the university motto: GAKU-NO-JITSUGE (Harmony between Academia & Society). "GAKU-NO-JITSUGE" was proposed by Juntaro Yamaoka in 1922, who was the General Trustee when Kansai University was endorsed as a university. Even now, 100 years after it was proposed, the university motto, "GAKU-NO-JITSUGE," still plays an essential role by acting as a compass and directing how the university should proceed into the future. This motto indicates that the university incorporates real-world knowledge and experience into its education and research. In the same way, modern society uses the university's academic research results in various ways, thereby pursuing "Harmony between Academia and Society."
To achieve the goals outlined in this motto, Kansai University strives to develop human resources possessing both the skills and the will to overcome the difficulties of our increasingly uncertain society. Our highly skilled and motivated people will have the ability to create a new future based on a deep respect for diversity.
Kandai Vision 150
Envisioning the Future, and Embracing the Challenges
In 2016―to commemorate its 130th year of existence―Kansai University formulated Kandai Vision 150 as a set of principles to guide our future development in line with our vision of the University 20 years from now.
Kandai Vision 150 is based on both an overall vision and four specific perspectives: education, research, contribution to society, and management. It clarifies our vision for Kansai University 20 years from now and details our policy objectives for the next ten years. These policy objectives are broken down into both five-year medium-term action plans and one-year business plans. In order to achieve these goals, Kansai University is establishing systems for steadily promoting our vision.
A Message from the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Towards a New BeginningKeiji Shibai, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Kansai University
Kansai University's 20th Board of Trustees was inaugurated in October of 2024, and I assumed office as its Chairperson. Given that I oversee the entire Kandai Group―which includes not only 35,000 students and others but also 500,000 alumni―I take my responsibilities extremely seriously.
In 1886, Kansai University was founded in Osaka as Kansai Law School with the support of Korekata Kojima―who was the Chief Justice of the Osaka Court of Appeals at the time―and the school's teachers included incumbent judges and public prosecutors. Since the acquisition of University Status, in line with our university motto, which calls for the realization of GAKU-NO-JITSUGE (Harmony between Academia & Society), we have consistently strived to enlighten and educate both society and the people.
We have encountered many hardships during our long history, but we have successfully overcome all of them, thanks to the support of the people of Osaka and many others. Kansai University celebrated its centenary in 2022. This was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm both the fact that our promotion was achieved with the support of Osaka's financial world as well as our vitality at the time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the globe for the past four years, the schools established by our organization suffered from a variety of restrictions, and many students and others faced many challenges. However, thanks to both the enthusiasm of our faculty members as well as the goodwill of our alumni and other stakeholders, I am confident that we have overcome these hardships as well.
In October 2023, the "Suita Mirai Campus" opened as the university's fifth campus. In addition to the construction of athletic facilities and international dormitory, we are making diligent preparations for the establishment of the Faculty of Business Data Science in April 2025.
Our long term vision now is to look toward our organization’s 150th anniversary. This provides us with a unique opportunity to think about what we should do in the future. I encourage each of our constituents to communicate their ideas and thoughts about this new vision. This is because free and open discussion is the wellspring of the vitality of any private school, including Kansai University.
In this age of diversity, how can Kansai University survive and lead the way?
As we confront this question, I look forward to the support and encouragement of the students and faculty members of our established schools as we promote discussion and take on the associated challenges as one.
A Message from the President
Development guided by academic culture - Enhancing the quality of education and research.Tomoyuki Takahashi, President, Kansai University
Kansai University, with its 138-year history and tradition, is home to a vibrant network of 510,000 alumni and nearly 30,000 current students spread across 13 diverse faculties and 15 graduate schools. Proud to be one of the nation's leading comprehensive universities, Kansai University remains committed to continuous growth and advancement, refusing to rest on its achievements. This progress is not focused on expanding in size, but rather on further enhancing the quality of education and research. Kansai University attracts people with diverse philosophies and values. The University has established a welcoming and open atmosphere that respects individual values. The university environment has been carefully crafted to immerse you in the academic exploration that is fundamental to higher education. This reflects our proud academic culture and is the cornerstone of Kansai University's strength. The challenges facing universities are expected to grow in the future. However, I am confident that Kansai University, with its deep commitment to upholding its rich academic traditions, will not only navigate these difficult times but also continue to thrive. We sincerely ask for your continued support and understanding as we move forward together into a new era and shape our future.
