
Key Stats
About Tohoku University
Founded in 1907, Tohoku University is one of Japan’s national universities, located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. As the third Imperial University established in Japan, it is renowned for its commitment to the principle of “Research First.” This philosophy emphasizes academic freedom and independence, fostering cutting-edge research and education across diverse fields. While it is highly regarded in the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and agriculture, the university also achieves outstanding results in the humanities and social sciences.
Research Environment and Distinctive Features
Tohoku University is distinguished by its comprehensive Open Campus Program and an international research environment that attracts top researchers from Japan and abroad. Recognized as a globally competitive research hub under the Super Global University Project, it boasts world-class research facilities. The university is especially acclaimed worldwide in fields such as Materials Science, Robotics, Environmental Science, and Life Sciences, and has produced Nobel Prize laureates.
Graduate Education and Career Support
The graduate programs at Tohoku University offer curricula designed to cultivate advanced expertise and research capabilities. Students develop both practical and theoretical skills through a combination of individualized guidance and collaborative research. The campus is equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities, libraries, and multiple research institutes, providing robust infrastructure to support academic work. For those aiming for academic careers, abundant opportunities exist to participate in domestic and international conferences, internships, and joint research projects.
Student Life and International Exchange
Beyond research, Tohoku University places great emphasis on enriching student life, offering a wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities, study abroad programs, and active exchanges with international students. With international student dormitories and comprehensive on-campus support systems, newcomers can begin their research life with confidence. Additionally, Sendai City’s rich natural environment contributes to an excellent quality of life.
Summary
For graduate students pursuing an academic path, Tohoku University represents an ideal choice, providing a high-quality research environment, educational programs, and opportunities to thrive both domestically and internationally. It is especially recommended for those eager to engage in cutting-edge research and become globally recognized researchers.
Ranking Data
| Subject | Japan Rank | World Rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1 | 120 | 85 |
| Social Sciences | - | - | - |
| Engineering | 3 | 62 | 69.7 |
| Business & Economics | - | - | - |
| Arts & Humanities | 4 | 251–300 | 35.0–37.0 |
| Education Studies | - | - | - |
| Medical & Health | 4 | 101–125 | 56.9–58.3 |
| Psychology | - | - | - |
| Computer Science | 4 | 101–125 | 55.3–59.0 |
| Life Sciences | 4 | 89 | 64 |
| Physical Sciences | 3 | 95 | 61.7 |
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85 |
| Teaching | 65 |
| Research Environment | 69.6 |
| Research Quality | 53.1 |
| International Outlook | 59.9 |
Most Cited Researchers
| Researcher | Subjects | Citations |
|---|---|---|
Masayuki Yamamoto | Biochemistry, Oxidative Stress, Redox Biology, Molecular Biology | 166,307 |
Hideo Ohno | 110,840 | |
| Welding and Joining Technology | 88,637 | |
| Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, Nanocarbon, Raman Spectroscopy | 77,509 | |
| Pathology, Endocrinology, Breast Cancer | 73,887 | |
| Genome Biology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Comparative Genomics | 67,215 |


