Before picking a school, get clear on how Japan's universities are distributed. Japan has about 800 universities, the vast majority private. National, public and private are separate systems with different tuition and positioning. This page does not pile up professor lists — it explains the commonly-cited groups: the Former Imperial Universities, Tokyo-Ikkou and upper national, the private clusters (Sokei-jouri / GMARCH / Kankan-Doritsu), strong schools by field, research universities, and English-degree programs you can apply to without Japanese.
Japan has about 800 universities, the vast majority private. National, public and private run as three parallel systems — the Chinese 'first-tier/second-tier' instinct does not map onto them. Here are the basic differences between the three.
Founded by the state and incorporated in 2004. Tuition tends to be fairly uniform and lower nationwide (confirm exact amounts on each school's site). Most top research universities — Former Imperial, Tokyo-Ikkou — sit here.
Founded by local governments. Tuition often differs for 'local vs non-local' residents. Mostly regional mid-tier schools, positioned between national and private.
The vast majority by count. Tuition varies greatly by faculty, with medicine and dentistry typically highest. Well-known privates — Sokei-jouri, GMARCH, Kankan-Doritsu — are all here.
Seven national universities founded before the war as 'Imperial Universities'. Deep research heritage; each is the top national university in its region. This is Japan's most stable, most widely-recognized group name.
All seven below were pre-war Imperial Universities and are today each region's top research-focused national university. Listed north-to-south geographically, not by rank.
Beyond the Former Imperial group, 'Tokyo-Ikkou' and several upper national universities are often mentioned together. Note: 'difficult-entry / upper' is general perception, varies greatly by faculty, and is reference only.
'Tokyo-Ikkou' = The University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University and Tokyo Institute of Technology. In 2024 Tokyo Tech merged with Tokyo Medical and Dental University to form 'Institute of Science Tokyo (Tokyo Kagaku Daigaku)' — confirm the latest name and English name officially [to verify].
The following are only examples of frequently-cited upper national universities — not exhaustive, and not a ranking. Each school's strong faculties differ, so confirm with each school's official site and the rankings.
Among private universities there are several widely-circulated cluster names. They are just 'labels' — the so-called 'ranking / difficulty' is general perception and varies greatly by faculty. Reference only.
Four well-known privates often grouped together in the Kanto region. Their flagship faculties differ, so treating them as a fixed 'ranking' is not accurate — reference only.
Another widely-circulated private cluster name in Kanto (initials of each school). A nickname only; internal difficulty varies by faculty — reference information.
Four well-known privates often grouped together in the Kansai region. Likewise a nickname, not a definitive ranking — reference only.
Rather than an overall 'ranking', it is more practical to look by field. Below are a few frequently-cited strong schools per field — all general-perception examples; criteria differ by ranking, so confirm with official sites and the rankings.
Reference, general perception. Confirm with each school's official site and the rankings. Flagship areas and orientation differ by school.
Reference, general perception. Confirm with each school's official site and the rankings. Confirm the latest name of Institute of Science Tokyo officially [to verify].
Reference, general perception. Former Imperial medical faculties are often cited; admission and systems differ by school, so confirm officially.
Reference, general perception. Confirm whether all-English programs are offered and admission requirements directly with each school's official site.
If you care about research, two groups are useful: the academic consortium 'RU11', and MEXT's 'Designated National University Corporation' system. Such universities tend to have higher research funding and graduate-student ratios.
RU11 is a consortium of 11 research universities with a stable membership. It includes the Former Imperial universities, Institute of Science Tokyo (former Tokyo Tech; confirm the latest name officially [to verify]), and two privates — Waseda and Keio.
The 'Designated National University Corporation' is an official MEXT system for national university corporations with the potential to reach world-class level. The list changes as the system is updated — confirm the latest list on MEXT's official page.
This is an official MEXT system and the list is updated. This page does not hard-code the list; confirm it via MEXT's latest official announcement (see the official link below in this section).
Officialmext.go.jp
There are mainly two entry routes you can apply to without Japanese: MEXT's 'Super Global University (SGU)' project, and the G30-family programs centered on English-taught courses and English degrees. Confirm details with JASSO and each school's official site.
A university-internationalization project led by MEXT, split into 'Top Type' (aiming for world-leading) and 'Global Traction Type' (driving Japan's internationalization). Selected universities tend to have more developed English programs and support for international students.
The selection list and project content change, so confirm with MEXT officially [to verify].
A collective term for English-taught / English-degree programs originating from 'Global 30'. They let you complete both application and study in English — one of the main routes to enroll without depending on Japanese.
Offered majors and admission requirements differ by school, so confirm directly with each school's official site and JASSO [to verify].
Officialmext.go.jpjasso.go.jp
