Overview

In 1917, founder Tokujiro Shibata and other young volunteers gathered together to found Kokushikan, a private academy and predecessor to the university in Azabu Ward, Tokyo (present day Minami-aoyama, Minato City). Wishing to promote education that respects human growth, the school moved to its current location in Setagaya in 1919. In 1953, a junior college was established and in 1958, the university was established along with the Faculty of Physical Education.? Subsequently, six more faculties were established by 2011 for a total of seven (the junior college was abolished in 2003). Starting in 1965, the first graduate school was established and today, there are a total of ten graduate schools.


Kokushikan University celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2017. It is a?comprehensive school that also includes Kokushikan Senior High School and Kokushikan Junior High School. Kokushikan has produced many public servants who contribute to the local society with a great sense of mission, choosing to become police officers, firefighters, teachers, paramedics, and more as a post-graduate path. Kokushikan ranks at the top nationally for the number of students who have passed these national examinations.


Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Kokushikan University positioned itself as a disaster prevention university base, making basic education on disaster prevention mandatory for all new students, entering into cooperative agreements with local governments and related organizations, and working to train human resources that can contribute in times of disaster.


Kokushikan also contributes to society by giving educational research resources back to the community through open lectures, public use of its libraries, and cooperative initiatives to solve community issues.


Kokushikan University is making history without stopping as a glocal university open to the world and rooted in the community.

Remarks from the President

Junko Tahara（Ph.D）
President, Kokushikan University

I am humbled to announce my recent appointment as the president of Kokushikan University.

For more than a century, the university has upheld its founding spirit and educational philosophy. These principles embody our pride as a private institution and define the goals of education at Kokushikan. My predecessor, Dr. Keiichi Satoh, introduced a common education curriculum, requiring all students to take the core course, Introduction to KOKUSHIKAN (Founding Spirit and Educational Philosophy). In this course, students learn about our founder Tokujiro Shibata’s educational philosophy, our founding principles, and the history of Kokushikan University. Building upon this foundation, students acquire a broad education, extensive specialized knowledge, and advanced skills. The "Four Precepts" - Sincerity, Industriousness, Insight, and Spiritual Strength - form the core of our philosophy. After four years, students will develop into individuals who are considerate of their country and dedicated to serving the world and others, in line with our founding spirit.

Student success is our top priority. Our faculty and staff carefully consider each student's individual circumstances and provide attentive support. We take great pride in our strong reputation for fostering a culture of care, collaboration, and mutual growth.

Kokushikan University, with its seven undergraduate schools and ten graduate schools, offers a diverse and dynamic learning environment. While developing expertise in their chosen fields, students also have the opportunity to take courses from other faculties and schools to broaden their academic perspectives. Additionally, they can engage in interdisciplinary research activities and projects. At Kokushikan University, we encourage students to take full advantage of our diverse programs to explore and pursue unique academic interests.

We have introduced two minor programs: Disaster Management and AI and Data Science . These programs are open to all Kokushikan students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for the future. As a university, we are particularly focused on these two fields and are actively working to deepen our research in these areas.

We actively welcome non-traditional and international students. Learning is a lifelong journey, and education makes life more meaningful and fulfilling. While the COVID-19 pandemic led us to rely on online technologies, it also reinforced the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interactions. We encourage our students to actively participate in both domestic and international exchange and training programs. Meeting people from different backgrounds will broaden perspectives and enrich each student’s life.

We are committed to creating an exceptional educational environment - one where every member of the Kokushikan community both appreciates and is appreciated by society .

Junko Tahara（Ph.D） President, Kokushikan University

1963 - Born in Kanagawa Prefecture
1986 - Graduated from the College of Education, Yokohama National University
1988 - Earned an M.A. from the Graduate School of Education, Yokohama National University
1994 - Ph.D. in Health and Sports Sciences from the Graduate School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University
2023 - Visiting researcher at the Olympic Studies Centre of the International Olympic Committee

Academic and Professional Career:
Associate Professor, Faculty of Wellness, Chukyo Women’s University
2006 - Associate Professor, Faculty of Physical Education, Kokushikan University; promoted to Professor in 2009
2019 - 2024 - Dean of Students
2023 - Kokushikan University Councilor
2024 - Dean of the Graduate School of Sport System; Executive Director
2025 - President

Affiliations and Leadership Roles:
2014 - present Vice-President, International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (CIPC)
2018 - present Council Member, International Fair Play Committee (CIFP)
2021 - present Director, Bowls Japan
2023 - present Director, Women Sport International (WSI)
2024 - present President Chair, Japanese Pierre de Coubertin Committee (CJPC)

Awards and Recognition:
2021 - Vikelas Plaque, International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH)
2022 - Distinguished Service Award, Japan Society for Sport and Gender Studies (JSSGS)

Research Interests:
Sports history, sports ethics