Japan University Rankings 2021 table information

The Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings 2021 methodology explores four key areas:

Resources

Does the university have the capacity to deliver teaching effectively? The resources area represents 34 per cent of the overall rankings. Within this, we look at:

• Finance per student (8 per cent)
• Faculty per student (8 per cent)
• Research output per member of staff (7 per cent)
• Mock university entrance exam score (6 per cent)
• Research grants per member of staff (5 per cent)

Engagement

Does the university engage with its students effectively? The data in this area are gathered through the High School Advisors Survey and the Japan Student Survey. The engagement area represents 30 per cent of the overall rankings. Within this, we look at:

• Global talent development (6 per cent)
• Student ability development (6 per cent)
• Student engagement (6 per cent)
• Interaction with teachers/students (6 per cent)
• Student recommendation (6 per cent)

Outcomes

Does the university produce graduates that the market wants? How strong is the university’s reputation nationally? The outcomes area represents 16 per cent of the overall rankings. Within this, we look at:

• Academic reputation (8 per cent)
• Employer reputation (8 per cent)

Environment

Does the university make efforts to attract an international student body and faculty? Does it prepare students for the global market? The environment area represents 20 per cent of the overall rankings. Within this, we look at:

• Proportion of international students (5 per cent)
• Proportion of international staff (5 per cent) 
• International exchange programmes (5 per cent)
• Courses in a foreign language (5 per cent)

Our rankings table also offers information for prospective students on the following:

Number of students

This is the number of full-time equivalent students at the university.

Student-to-staff ratio

This is the ratio of full-time equivalent students to the number of full-time equivalent academic staff – those employed in an academic post, for example, assistant professor, associate professor and professor.

Proportion of international students

The percentage of students at the university originating from outside Japan.

Finance per student (in ¥1,000s)

This is institutional income (includes all forms of income, such as general university funds, grant income, research income, contract income, teaching income, donations, investments and commercialisation) per full-time equivalent student.

For more detail on the pillars and metrics, read the full THE Japan University Rankings 2021 methodology.

Editor's note: April 2021

After the publication of the Japan University Rankings 2021, we discovered that a data entry error had resulted in the calculation of incorrect Engagement scores for nine institutions. We recalculated the scores based on the correct data; six institutions now have a new overall rank or score.

As per THE's rankings correction policy, where an amendment is made, the relevant institution is retrospectively listed in its correct position. We do not rerun the complete ranking. All other universities maintain their original rank.

THE is committed to transparency and accountability across all of its rankings.

Our corrections policy is available to view here.

Editor’s note: March 2021

In 2018, several institutions ranked in this year’s Japan University Rankings were found to have been using discriminatory admissions practices, unfairly advantaging male applicants. As a result, those institutions lost accredited status from the Japan University Accreditation Association. They continue to be included in the ranking table as loss of accreditation does not prevent them from teaching undergraduates and issuing valid degrees recognised within Japan.

The ranked institutions that had their accreditation revoked are listed in the table below. This table will be updated as the universities regain their accreditation.