Temple University, Japan Campus

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) was established in 1982 in Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, as the first campus of an American university in Japan, originally operating with a series of business partners. In 1996, TUJ became a wholly owned, subsidized operation of Temple Main Campus in Philadelphia. At this time, TUJ was relocated to Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, where it operated until it formally opened its new campus in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, in August, 2019.[8][9]

James Zumwalt, Chargé d'affaires, giving a speech at the June 2009 Graduation Ceremony.

At its inception, the university offered an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at its Tokyo campus, as well as a Master of Education (M.Ed.) program at both its Tokyo and Osaka centers. Within the next decade it launched an Undergraduate Program, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in TESOL program and a Master of Laws (LLM) program, as well as expanded its IELP program to its Osaka center. In 1996, upon becoming a wholly owned operation of Temple University, TUJ launched the Executive MBA program – the first program of its kind in Japan(the program ended in 2020) – while simultaneously re-launching its Open College Program as Continuing Education and its Globalization Program as Corporate Education.[10]

In 2005 the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) officially designated Temple University, Japan Campus as the first Foreign University in Japan becoming the first recognized foreign university operating in Japan (外国大学日本校, gaikoku daigaku nihonkō).[11] This gave TUJ recognition among not only American universities, but also Japanese universities, making credits and degrees from the university accredited in both countries.[12]

TUJ has established credit exchange programs with Musashi University, Miyagi University, Hong Kong Baptist University, Meiji University, National Taipei University, and Showa Women's University.

Temple University, Japan Campus is located in Tokyo and Osaka. In Tokyo, TUJ operates at a campus located at Showa Women's University in Setagaya-ku.[13] The Osaka center is in Umeda, Kita-ku and houses the Graduate College of Education.

Showa Women's University (SWU) and Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) have agreed to share a campus at SWU's current location in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo.[14] TUJ formally opened its new campus on August 14, 2019.[15]

TUJ has six computer labs equipped with Windows and Mac computers, a library with over 54,000 books and access to an extensive collection of journal subscriptions,[16] a career development office, counseling, media room with both video-editing and professional sound recording capabilities.[17]

TUJ offers guaranteed housing for all first semester international students. The school operates three unisex dormitories located in Tokyo and offers a limited number of homestay options.[18]

Students attending TUJ come from approximately 67 countries around the world. In addition to Japan and the United States, TUJ has students from East and Southeast Asia, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.[21]

Temple University, Japan Campus is able to sponsor visas for its international students[22] and provides Japanese student identification cards, student discounts for train passes,[23] and other student-life related items. Additionally, TUJ offers a number of options for students to study abroad at its main campus in Philadelphia and at its Rome campus.[24]

The Office of Student Services and Engagement (OSSE) helps students with daily student life. It also provides assistance with the visa application process and housing and coordinating Financial Aid/GI Bill-related matters. The OSSE also provides orientations to help students adapt to the academic and social life at TUJ. They also work with the Student Government and other student organizations to encourage social interaction among students with different backgrounds by creating events and activities that appeal to all TUJ students.[25]

The Student Government (TUJ SG) serves as the voice of the student body, and assists in matters of academia and student life. The Student Government also organizes events to help promote active student life.[26]

Student clubs and organizations are created and run by students and overseen by the Office of Student Services and Engagement (OSSE). These organizations help students identify others with similar interests, and promote friendship among students.[27]

In December 2022, TUJ entered into an agreement with Yamanashi prefecture to advance internationalization, multicultural education, industry and tourism. This was TUJ's first agreement with a prefectural government.[28]

TUJ is building on the progress established with Setagaya since the university moved to the Sangenjaya district in 2019. In December 2022, both parties formally agreed to deepen collaboration on projects that promote cross-cultural communication and international understanding.[29]

The TUJ community has been actively involved in a series of academic programs and cross-cultural events with residents and students on a regular basis. The university offers summer English language programs to elementary and middle school students. TUJ students, staff and faculty have also participated in many initiatives, including local festivals and international exchange activities. The university also encourages Setagaya residents to access its library resources.[30]

In 2006, TUJ signed a memorandum of understanding with Tokyo's Minato city, where the university was located at that time. TUJ strives to develop more activities to benefit the local and regional communities while leveraging its uniqueness as an American university with students, faculty and staff from all over the world.[31]

• Richard Joslyn (1996-2001)
• Kirk Patterson (2001-2007)
• Bruce Stronach (2008-2020)
• Matthew J. Wilson (2020–present)

• Jeff Kingston - Asian Studies, History
• Matthew Chozick – Asian Studies, TV personality, writer, publisher, screenwriter, actor, translator
• Tina H. Saunders -director and associate professor of instruction in Law
• Robert Dujarric - co-director, Institute for Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS)
• James Brown - advisor and coordinator of international affairs major
• Masaki Kakizaki - advisor and coordinator of political science major
• Prachi Gupta – Economics
• Benoit Hardy-Chartrand - international affairs / political science
• Mike Williams - African American studies
• Yaeko Kabe - Japanese language
• Paul Nedeau - international affairs / political science

• Paul Kuo - CEO Edinburgh Enterprise
• Laurence W. Bates - Former Executive Officer, General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Panasonic Corporation
• Mark J. Davidson - Director, Government & External Affairs Amway Japan G.K.
• Etsuo Doi - Partner (Attorney-At-Law Admitted in Japan and in New York) Foley & Lardner Llp
• Steven Greenberg - Managing Partner, Partner-In-Charge, Japan, Heidrick & Struggles Japan Godo Kaisha
• Ernest M. Higa - Chairman, President & CEO Higa Industries Co., Ltd.
• Jason Hyland - Director Brionexus Kk
• Midori Kaneko - Director, Group Marketing, Sun Frontier Fudousan Inc.
• Akihiko Kubo - Managing Director, Tag Worldwide North Asia, Representative Director, Tag Japan
• Norishige Morimoto - Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, IBM Research & Development - Japan IBM Japan, Ltd.
• Yoshio Murakami - Advisor, New York Times International Edition in Japan and Former Board Director of Asahi Shimbun
• Catherine Ohura - Representative Director, Vice President and General Manager, Japan, Labocorp Development Japan, Kk
• David Semaya - Executive Chairman & Representative Director, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd.
• Hiroyuki Tsutsumi - Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer, Japan Region, Fujistu, Ltd.
• Akiko Yamakawa - Partner Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo
• Toshiaki Yokozawa - President and CEO Asahi-Ecocarry Inc.