Japan’s Top 20 Universities in 2023 (THE)

For the fourth year in a row, Tohoku University has been named the best university in Japan by the Times Higher Education rankings.

April 16, 2023

Tohoku University has been named the best university in Japan for the fourth year in a row in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, beating out prestigious universities such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.
The rankings evaluate universities based on a wide range of criteria, including entrance exam scores, job placements, research grants, educational outcomes, and internationalization efforts, as well as qualitative factors such as surveys of stakeholders.
The rankings are becoming increasingly important for universities as a tool to attract students and improve their competitiveness, with regional universities such as Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and University of Aizu also making strides.

Tohoku University in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Introduction

According to the latest rankings by the Times Higher Education (THE), Tohoku University has been named the best university in Japan for the fourth year in a row. The ranking evaluates universities based on a wide range of criteria, including entrance exam scores, job placements, and research grants, as well as qualitative factors such as surveys of stakeholders. The rankings are an important tool for universities to improve their competitiveness and attract students.

Overview of Rankings

The Times Higher Education is a globally renowned education magazine that conducts rankings of universities worldwide. Its rankings are considered one of the most prestigious university rankings, alongside those by QS and ShanghaiRanking. The rankings assess universities based on various factors such as entrance exam scores, job placements, research grants, educational outcomes, and internationalization efforts. It is unique because it also considers qualitative factors such as surveys of stakeholders in addition to quantitative metrics.

Criteria for Ranking

The rankings consider a wide range of criteria to evaluate universities, including the quality of education and research, the international diversity of students and faculty, and the universities’ contributions to the economy and society. The rankings are conducted through surveys of stakeholders and analysis of quantitative data, such as entrance exam scores and research funding.

Japan University Rankings 2023 (Times Higher Education)

Rank	Name	Country/Region	No. of FTE Students	No. of students per staff	International Students	Finance per 1000 students
1	Tohoku University	Miyagi	17,254	12.3	12.3	¥6,375
2	The University of Tokyo	Tokyo	26,673	10.4	16.4	¥8,510
3	Osaka University	Osaka	22,274	10.4	10.3	¥5,028
4	Tokyo Institute of Technology	Tokyo	9,908	9.6	16.3	¥5,091
5	Kyoto University	Kyoto	21,707	9.0	10.7	¥5,805
6	Kyushu University	Fukuoka	18,067	7.9	12.0	¥4,510
7	Hokkaido University	Hokkaido	17,404	8.1	9.8	¥4,177
8	Nagoya University	Aichi	16,185	9.7	13.1	¥4,777
9	University of Tsukuba	Ibaraki	15,365	28.6	15.8	¥4,516
10	International Christian University	Tokyo	2,824	12.0	13.1	¥3,682
11	Hiroshima University	Hiroshima	14,590	11.2	10.4	¥3,242
12	Keio University	Tokyo	32,952	10.0	8.3	¥3,247
13	Kobe University	Hyogo	15,364	47.0	7.1	¥2,859
14	Waseda University	Tokyo	45,998	14.1	11.5	¥2,196
15	Akita International University	Akita	818	8.6	3.8	¥2,558
16	Hitotsubashi University	Tokyo	6,042	39.3	13.6	¥2,016
17	Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)	Tokyo	2,965	4.4	11.1	¥8,791
18	Kanazawa University	Ishikawa	9,737	8.0	5.5	¥2,956
19	Chiba University	Chiba	13,380	25.7	6.0	¥2,909
20	Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology	Tokyo	5,763	15.7	6.2	¥3,133

Top 20 Universities in Japan according to THE Ranking 2023, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/rankings/japan-university/2023

Tohoku University’s Success

Tohoku University scored highest in the “educational outcomes” category and the “internationalization” category, beating out prestigious universities such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. The educational outcomes category evaluates universities based on their research output, student achievements, and the number of PhD graduates. The internationalization category evaluates universities based on their international outlook, student and faculty diversity, and international collaborations.

Tohoku University’s efforts in international collaboration through its international graduate school and joint classes for domestic and international students were cited as factors contributing to its success. The university has also been dedicated to internationalization for over a decade, with initiatives such as the Tohoku University Global Initiative and the Global Learning Center.

Ritsumeikan Asia Pcific University in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Regional Universities on the Rise

The ranking also highlighted regional universities such as Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and University of Aizu, which are known for their strong educational programs and internationalization efforts. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, for example, was ranked highest for “internationalization.” The ranking is becoming increasingly important for universities as a tool to attract students and improve their competitiveness.

Conclusion

University rankings are becoming an important tool for universities to improve their competitiveness and attract students. Tohoku University’s continued success in the rankings demonstrates its commitment to education and internationalization. With regional universities also making strides, the rankings are becoming a more important benchmark for universities in Japan.

Reference

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/rankings/japan-university/2023

Japan Insider

Japan Insider is a Tokyo-based media platform that provides an up-to-date flow of unique news and cultural insights into what’s happening in Japan today.