"Island wisdom, for the world, for the future."

The University of the Ryukyus is located in Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, and consists of seven faculties and eight graduate schools. Okinawa, an island prefecture located in the sub-tropics, has a unique ecosystem and distinct traditional culture. It has a long history of establishing relationships with other countries, and its thriving overseas trade in the Ryukyu Kingdom era between the 15th and 19th centuries is one such example. Such exchanges have created a diverse and multicultural society in Okinawa.

In order to sustain and further develop such unique features of Okinawa, the university takes advantage of Okinawa’s regional characteristics and promotes research and education in distinct fields such as island and marine environment studies, health and longevity studies, and Ryukyuan/Okinawan studies. The university also aims to nurture well-rounded individuals imbued with knowledge and capabilities for social contribution on a global and regional scale. As a university with local and global features, our university has actively promoted international exchanges with academic institutions overseas, especially in the Asian and Pacific regions.

To date, the university has concluded academic exchange agreements with 129 institutions in 41 countries and areas worldwide, resulting in a diversified campus environment with many international students from all over the world.