On 3 July 2026, Japan's science ministry MEXT announced that, following its Advisory Board's review of Kyoto University's proposed Research System Strengthening Plan, the University may be eligible for accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence.
Message from President Nagahiro Minato
Last December, Kyoto University was selected as a candidate for the Japanese government’s Universities for International Research Excellence Program. Since then, we have engaged in ongoing dialogue with the Advisory Board to refine the plans to reform the university’s institutional structure.
As a result of that process, MEXT has announced that, based on the Advisory Board’s review of the university’s proposed Research System Strengthening Plan, it was determined that the plan could meet the criteria for approval, and that the university may be eligible for accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence.
The university will continue to make every effort to secure formal accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence and approval of its Research System Strengthening Plan.
Kyoto University has established the following University-Wide Vision for International Research Excellence
- Contribute to addressing diverse social issues and foster innovation that can transform society through the generation of knowledge by unrestricted and original research.
- Cultivation of outstanding researchers who will lead global academia and highly skilled professionals who can thrive on the global stage.
- As a comprehensive university engaged with the international community, form an international knowledge hub that attracts diverse human resources from around the world.
To realize its vision, the university will establish a research system that will consistently produce outstanding and original research outcomes, centered on the establishment of the Department System, a new research structure based on academic disciplines.
Furthermore, by establishing a new education system based on the introduction of degree program systems grounded in the research capabilities of the departments, the university will cultivate highly skilled human resources who can play globally active roles not only in academia, but in diverse sectors of society.
While globally disseminating the original academic research outcomes generated through its enhanced research capabilities, the university will leverage the unique qualities and environment of Kyoto—an internationally-oriented academic city rich in history and culture—to become a hub of knowledge that attracts exceptional researchers and students from around the world.
Upon its accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence and approval of the Research System Strengthening Plan, Kyoto University will embark on a new chapter, and will comprehensively devote its efforts to realizing the University-Wide Vision.
Nagahiro Minato
President
July 3, 2026
