Japan has some world-renowned research universities in its ranks of outstanding higher education facilities. And these various research universities in Japan are opening more courses and research centers with the aim of furthering advances in society and are welcoming both local and foreign students interested in joining them.
Table of Contents
- A look at research universities in Japan
- A Closer Look at the Research Universities
- Be part of their growing team
- Summary
A look at research universities in Japan
While we don’t have time to discuss ALL the research universities in Japan, there are a few that are extremely prominent, and we’re sure you’ll recognize some of them. Here are some research university organizations and their member universities.
Research University 11 (RU11)
The Research University 11, also known as RU11, is “a consortium which was established in November 2009 consisting of 11 of the top Research Universities in Japan” according to its website. Their goals include not only to improve the status of research universities in Japan but also to improve the communication and relations as well as information-sharing between the schools.
The RU11 are:
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Hokkaido University
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Tohoku University
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University of Tsukuba
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The University of Tokyo
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Waseda University
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Keio University
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Tokyo Institute of Technology
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Nagoya University
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Kyoto University
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Osaka University
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Kyushu University
They recently participated in the Research Data Rights Summit held at Sorbonne University in Paris in January 2020.
※RU11 ※LERU, “Data Summit in Paris”
The Research University Network of Japan
The Research University Network of Japan was established in 2014 to promote more collaboration between research universities as well as international institutions. The schools are meant to work closely with the University Research Administrators (more on them later) and the RU11. There are 22 universities and 3 research institutions in this network.
The universities are Hokkaido University, University of Tsukuba, Chiba University, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Electro-Communications, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, University of Fukui, Shinshu University, Nagoya University, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Toyohashi University of Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Kobe University, Okayama University, Hiroshima University, Yamaguchi University, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kumamoto University, Tokyo Metropolitan University, and Tokyo Women's Medical University.
This was set up by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to further university research in Japan.
※Okayama University, “About RU Network Japan” ※MEXT, “About "The Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities"”
University Research Administrator (URA)
Also introduced by MEXT, the University Research Administrator (URA) system was started in 2011 as a way to support research universities with their admin work. While it has taken time for URAs to seem effective or for the corroboration between the university and the URAs to go smoothly, each university has taken steps to best understand and utilize their URAs to help the research departments to flourish.
※Hiroshima University, “URA Division” ※SciREX, “URA in Japan” ※MEXT, URA
Writer's Pick
A Closer Look at the Research Universities
As we established above, many world-class universities in Japan are known for their high caliber research. Their successful research programs contributed to and continue to contribute to the development of Japan. Here’s a closer look at a few of them.
University of Tokyo
The leading research university in Japan is located in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan, offering high quality and world-class research development. It has more than 2,000 research staff that facilitate and secure the excellence of their service. It has 15 graduate schools, 11 institutes, 13 centers and 2 institutes all involved in doing research, and of course involving its students. Some of the ground-breaking research includes topics in robotics and in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not only that, but the University of Tokyo is involved in the RU11 mentioned above, and is a member of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) with other top research universities from around the world.
If you’re looking into doing research, the University of Tokyo is a great option!! Check out their extensive page on their research activities here to get a better idea.
※University of Tokyo, “Research from Graduate Schools, Institutes and Centers” ※International Alliance of Research Universities, “About IARU”
Kyoto University
With its motto, "freedom of academic spirit", there is no doubt that this university is one of Asia's leading research universities. It shapes the researchers to become people that will pave the way for generations to come. It has 13 big research institutions;
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Institute for Chemical Research (ICR)
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Institute for Research in Humanities
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Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences
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Institute for Advanced Energy
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Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH)
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Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI)
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Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics(YITP)
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Kyoto Institute for Economic Research (KIER)
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Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences (RIMS)
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Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science
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Primate Research Institute (PRI)
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Center for Southeast Asian Studies
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Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CIRA)
in addition to its graduate schools and centers. Check out more about doing research at Kyoto University here!
※ Kyoto University, "Faculties, Graduate Schools, Research Institutes, and other centers"
Tohoku University
Tohoku University is renowned for all of its contributions to scientific and technological advancements in society. Their triumphant research institute includes;
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Institute for Materials Research
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Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer
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Institute of Fluid Science
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Research Institute of Electrical Communication
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Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials
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International Research Institute of Disaster Science
They have an impressive 2,221 research fellows from overseas, showing that they are definitely open to having foreigners join them. Check out more about their research here!
※ Tohoku University, "Research Institutes & Centers"
Be part of their growing team
So how do you become a part of the excitement at Japanese research universities?
Well, you could either be a student - you are more likely to get involved as a graduate student but some schools allow extensive involvement from undergrad students as well. This is the easiest way to get involved at the specific school that you want to and get a taste of what doing full-time research might look like.
The other is to become a full-time researcher. This may mean becoming a researcher in your own country and then applying to do a research project at the Japanese university of your choice; or to become a researcher at a Japanese university from the get-go. Or to become research staff which may not have as many strict requirements in terms of degree but may involve more admin work.
Basic requirements to be a researcher
A researcher should be a quick thinker, committed, and open-minded. To be a full-time researcher, one must have a completion of a degree in a field that he wants to study, with a preferable master’s and doctorate degree, and has extensive knowledge about the field he or she wants to work on. Requirements and qualifications vary depending on the company or institution you wish to work with.
To become a research assistant, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a field you want to work in and at least a master's degree. But some employers hire students that completed their bachelor's degree and are currently taking up advanced studies.
Duties of a researcher
The duties and responsibilities of a researcher are broad. It includes creating reports, conducting surveys and interviews, data analysis, reviewing other reports and studies, presenting research reports, and analyzing market trends and applying their importance accordingly.
Where to find a research job online
For research enthusiasts, you may consider the Japan Research Career Information Network managed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. It is a good source of job information in the fields related to the research study and one of the go-to websites for those people desiring to be a researcher and assistant researcher in Japan. This site was created for the convenience of both employees and employers and includes university research positions as well. Check out their website here.
※Japan Research Career Information Network (JREC-IN) Portal, "Job posting search"
And check out our article on getting a general research job in Japan here.
Summary
As we explored in this article, if you are an aspiring researcher, Japan warmly offers you great opportunities at one of its many stellar universities and facilities. Its universities and research networks are molding researchers to become a new modern hero for the future and you could be one of them.
