Akita Prefectural University

Established in 1999, Akita Prefectural University is committed to developing a new generation of leaders for the 21st century. It also seeks to contribute to the development of the local community. The university is located in Akita Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of Honshu, Japan. Akita Prefecture sits along the coast of the Sea of Japan and extends east to the Ōu Mountains, which is Japan’s longest mountain range. It is known for its natural beauty, hot springs and samurai district located in Kakunodate. The prefecture’s capital is also named Akita and is the largest city in the prefecture. The university boasts three campuses across Akita Prefecture. Akita Campus is situated in Akita City, Honjō Campus is located in the city of Yurihonjō, and Ōgata Campus can be found in the village of Ōgata. There is also the Noshiro Advanced Wood Processing Institute in Noshiro City. As a specialist institution in science and technology, the university only has two faculties: biological resources sciences and systems science and technology. Within each faculty is a range of departments that students can choose to specialise in. In 2002 the university started offering a graduate studies programme, which continues to expand today. The Research and Education Center for Comprehensive Science is an important part of the university. Students are encouraged to develop their research and problem-solving skills so that they can respond to the evolving scientific and technological needs of the future. The university has set up the Student Independent Research Program for first and second year students to conduct research in areas that they have chosen.