1 University of Tokyo

2 Kyoto University
3 Osaka University
4 Tokyo Institute of Technology
5 Tohoku University
6 Keio University
7 Kyushu University
8 Nagoya University
9 Hokkaido University
10 Tsukuba University
11 Kobe University
12 Chiba University
13 Waseda University
14 Hiroshima University
15 Kanazawa University
16 Okayama University
17 Tokyo University of Science
18 Tokyo Metropolitan University
19 Tokyo Medical and Dental University
20 Osaka City University
21 Niigata University
22 Kumamoto University
23 Tokushima University
24 Osaka Prefectural University
25 Gifu University
26 Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
27 Yokohama National University
28 Yamaguchi University
29 Nagoya City University
30 Kagoshima University

Background: In 2001 the Ministry of Education proposed to change the funding model
to strengthen the "Top 30" universities. Among the various "Top 30" lists floated at the
time, this one, attributed to the prep school Kawaijuku, is probably the most useful.

It was based on four factors: research funding (Kaken only), citations of research
publications, entrance exam difficulty, and a reputation survey.
Weaknesses: This ranking was done to identify "world class research universities" as
seen in strengths in science and engineering. For public universities this gives a
reasonable approximation to an overall quality ranking, because Japanese public
universities have fairly similar profiles, and so strength in one area tends to be matched
by strength across the board, including in recruiting good students and in educating them
well. Private universities, however, tend to have different profiles, including strengths in
education and in the humanities which are not reflected in this ranking. Thus in a list of
the truly best, Waseda and Keio would probably belong near the top, and other private
universities, including Sophia, International Christian University, Meiji, and Nihon,
would probably also be mentioned. Some smaller, specialized universities, such as The
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, The University of Electro-Communications, The
Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and Hitotsubashi University would
probably also deserve a place.

Purpose: My reason for hosting this list was the lack of good information on Japanese
Universities on the web. Probably this list will be most useful to graduate school
admissions committees considering applicants from Japan. It may also be useful for those
considering study in Japan.

Links: Lists of top Japanese Universities are also provided by World Education Services
and by the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Other resources with coverage of
Japan include Webometrics Top Asia Universities. Two other well-known sources are the
Times Higher Education ranking and that by Quacquarelli Symonds. A good starting
place for finding rankings for universities in various countries is the University of Illinois'
College and University Rankings Page.