Greetings from Toyo University

Bringing Toyo University's "Wisdom" for World Peace

Director, Social Contribution Center, Toyo University
Naoki TAKAYAMA (Professor, Faculty of Design for Welfare Sociology)

Toyo University's founder, Inoue Enryo, established the private philosophical school "Tetsugakukan" in 1887 under the strong belief of "providing education to those without surplus resources or leisure." His vision held that "the foundation of all disciplines lies in philosophy" and that "the study and dissemination of philosophy are essential for the development of civilization in nations and societies." Amidst Japan's increasing influence from the West, efforts were made to nurture a sense of "perspective and thought through philosophy" among the Japanese people to regain their sense of identity. This philosophy has been embodied in the research, education, and various initiatives of present-day Toyo University. Recognizing the significance of social contribution activities, Toyo University has positioned the Social Contribution Center as a base to fulfill its mission. The Social Contribution Center consists of two pillars: the lifelong learning division, which includes public lectures and lecturer dispatch projects, and the social contribution activities division. Among these, the lecturer dispatch project, currently targeting Japan domestically, will be expanded globally. Given the serious state of various issues such as peace, environment, and human rights, it is our desire to deliver Toyo University's "wisdom" to people worldwide. We welcome the participation of individuals with an interest in Japanese language, Japanese culture, or those considering further studies.

About Toyo University's General Liberal Arts lecture

Toyo University is committed to carrying on the vision of its founder, Enryo Inoue, and making the excellent knowledge possessed by the university beneficial to society. As part of this commitment, we offer numerous public lectures and lifelong learning programs. In this course, we will explore various topics related to Japan, including Japanese culture, economy, and social issues, delivered by experts from Toyo University. Understanding the background of Japanese culture and social issues can also deepen your comprehension of the Japanese language. Whether you are new to Japanese culture, seeking to expand your knowledge, or planning to study or work in Japan, we warmly welcome you to join our courses.

Greetings from the President of Toyo University

Exploring the Charm of Japan:
Liberal Arts lectures by Experts from Toyo University

President of Toyo Univertisy
Etsuko Yaguchi

Toyo University was originated from a private philosophical school called ‘Tetsugakukan’ founded in 1887 by Enryo Inoue, a young philosopher who graduated from the university of Tokyo. Our university’s founding spirit was based on the idea that 'the foundation of all disciplines lies in philosophy' and emphasized the importance of 'deeply exploring any problem and pursuing the truth' in the pursuit of learning. In addition, Enryo Inoue delivered more than 5,000 lectures throughout Japan to convey the various experiences he gained from his three trips around the world. We inherit his passion and aim to disseminate the intellectual assets of Toyo University, including achievements in Japanese literature, history, society, and the Japanese language, to as many people around the world as possible. We will continue to gradually increase the number of lectures, so please look forward to them.

Voice from Past Participants

It is for foreigners who are interested in the language or studying Japanese. (China)
I felt as if I had returned to Toyo University in a long time and was exposed to university lectures, which enriched my time both in terms of content and spirit. (Japan)
It is interesting to take lectures by current university professors online for free, and the content covers a wide range of topics. (Japan)
The name of the online course, "Japanese Knowledge," caught my attention and intrigued me. (Japan)
There are various Japanese expressions in daily conversation and writing that are of interest to me, and through specific examples, including historical perspectives on why this is so and how it has changed, I was able to deepen my understanding. (Vietnam)
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