Times Higher Education (THE) has launched the Japan University Rankings (JUR) 2023 today, with Benesse Group for innovation and globalization of universities in Japan.
Tohoku University was ranked top for the fourth year in a row and the University of Tokyo was ranked second again, which it attained last year. Osaka University was ranked third (joint third last year), and Tokyo Institute of Technology is fourth (joint third last year). This is followed by Kyoto University in fifth place (fifth last year) and Kyushu University is in sixth position climbing up one place from seventh last year. International Christian University is in the top ten for the first time this year.
The JUR methodology includes four pillars: “resource”, “engagement”, “outcomes” and “environment”. Tokyo Medical and Dental University returns to the top of the resource pillar. International Christian University tops the engagement pillar for the first time. The top universities in the two other pillars remain the same; Kyoto University for outcomes and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University for environment.
Phil Baty, THE Chief Global Affairs Officer, said:
“The bespoke Japan University Rankings (JUR) allows for a deeper and richer look into the quality of higher education in the country.
“We looked at data across Japan’s small, medium and large universities – based on the number of students – and found the country’s post-Covid recovery is happening but at a different pace across the various sized universities. Overall, smaller universities, which pre-Covid tended to show higher levels of student engagement, were more affected during the pandemic and are struggling to recover to pre-Covid levels of staff-student interaction and collaborative learning.
“Tohoku University’s retention of top place in the rankings for the fourth successive year is extremely impressive and clearly demonstrates the high levels of excellence it achieves. The University of Tokyo retained its second place position, which is to be highly commended too.
“The top 10 universities are similar to last year with Kyushu University moving up one place to sixth and for the first time International Christian University is in the top ten, after moving up two places. This stability is testament to the resilience and fortitude of Japan’s leading universities.
“The JUR is a wonderful bespoke resource for all students seeking their education in Japan, from home or overseas, as well as a providing a robust benchmarking and decision-making tool for university managers and policymakers.”
THE created a dedicated ranking for Japan, which this year includes 271 universities, to provide a deeper understanding of Japanese universities and to showcase their strengths and characteristics and to compare them with the rest of the world. Higher education rankings in Japan are more focused on students’ academic ability when they start university - this ranking focuses on quality of students’ learning and growth.
THE and Benesse Group intends the JUR to be utilized as a tool to objectively capture Japanese universities’ unique characteristics. The JUR will also help university applicants, both inside and outside Japan, when choosing which university to apply for.
Benesse Group formed an alliance with THE in 2016 and is the sole partner of THE in Japan. The JUR was first launched in March 2017 and this is the seventh year of the ranking.
For more information visit: Japan University Rankings 2023
***ENDS***