View source for Ritsumeikan University

{{Short description|Private university in Kyoto, Japan}}
{{distinguish|Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Ritsumeikan University
 | native_name            = {{lang|ja|立命館大学}}
 | image                  = Ritsumeikan University logo.svg
 | image_size             = 100px
 | caption                = 
 | motto                  = 自由と清新
 | motto_lang             = ja
 | mottoeng               = Freedom and Innovation
 | established            = {{start date and age|1900}} (chartered in 1922)
 | founder                = Kojuro Nakagawa<br /> [[Saionji Kinmochi]]<ref>Founder of "Ritsumeikan" as a private academy, the predecessor of this university</ref>
 | type                   = [[Private university|Private]]
 | affiliation            = 
 | endowment              = 
 | officer_in_charge      = 
 | president              = Yoshio Nakatani
 | faculty                = 1,395
 | students               = 36,825
 | undergrad              = 33,094
 | postgrad               = 3,731
 | city                   = [[Kyoto]] ([[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]]), [[Kusatsu, Shiga|Kusatsu]] ([[Shiga]]), [[Ibaraki, Osaka|Ibaraki]] ([[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]]), [[Osaka]] ([[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]]), [[Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda]] ([[Tokyo]])
 | province               = 
 | country                = Japan
 | coor                   = {{coord|35.0326|N|135.7240|E|format=dms|region:JP-26_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = 5 campuses in urban areas
 | free_label             = 
 | website                = {{URL|https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp|Official website}}
 | footnotes              = As of May 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ritsumeikan-trust.jp/publicinfo/disclosure/data/ |title=Ritsumeikan in Data　|access-date=2023-06-21}}</ref>
 | colours                = {{color box|#981e32}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FFFFFF}} Crimson and white
 | mascot                 = [[Leopard|Panthera pardus]]
 | sports_nickname        = [[Ritsumeikan Panthers football|Ritsumeikan Panthers]]
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs|APSIA]], [[International Network of Universities|INU]], [[Super Global Universities|Global 30]], [[Kansai Big Six Baseball League|Kansai Big 6]]
 | former_names           = Kyoto Hosei School
 | logo                   = [[File:Ritsumeikan University logo mark.svg|210px|コミュニケーションマーク]]
}}

{{nihongo|'''Ritsumeikan University'''|立命館大学|''Ritsumeikan Daigaku''|abbreviated to '''Rits''' and {{lang|ja|立命}} ''Ritsumei''}} is a [[private university]] in [[Kyoto]], Japan, that traces its origin to 1869. In addition to its main campus in Kyoto, the university also has satellite campuses in [[Ibaraki, Osaka]] and [[Kusatsu, Shiga]].

Today, Ritsumeikan University is known as one of Western Japan's most prestigious universities, part of the "Kan-Kan-Do-Rits" ([[:ja:関関同立|関関同立]]: [[Kwansei Gakuin University]], [[Kansai University]], [[Doshisha University]], and Ritsumeikan University) abbreviation that refers to the four leading private universities in the [[Keihanshin]] region.

Ritsumeikan University is known for its Social Sciences, particularly International Relations (IR), as well as its Science & Engineering departments, with the Graduate School of International Relations being the only Japanese member of the [[Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs]].

== History ==
[[File:Wooden Plaque "RITSUMEIKAN" by Prince Saionji.JPG|thumb|267x267px|Bust of Kojuro Nakagawa]]

Ritsumeikan was first founded as a private academy in 1869 by Prince [[Saionji Kinmochi]]. In 1900, Kojuro Nakagawa (the former secretary of Prince Saionji) established the Kyoto Hosei School, a law school that eventually adopted the Ritsumeikan name (with the prince's permission) and was awarded full university status in 1922.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/common/img/about/ritschronology.pdf |title=Chronology of Ritsumeikan |publisher=Ritsumeikan University}}</ref> Historically, the school was seen as a liberal alternative to the state-run [[Kyoto University]].

The name "Ritsumeikan" comes from a [[Mencius]] quotation:

<blockquote>
Some die young, as some live long lives. This is decided by fate. Therefore, one's duty consists of cultivating one's mind during this mortal span and thereby "establishing one's destiny". (in Japanese, 立命, ''ritsumei'')</blockquote>

The "kan" in addition to "ritsumei" signifies a building.

== Colleges and graduate schools (by campus) ==
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/academics/|title= Academics, Ritsumeikan University|accessdate=2023-06-21}}</ref>

=== Kinugasa Campus (KIC) ===
[[File:Zonshinkan Hall at Ritsumeikan Univ.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Zonshinkan is a building on the Kinugasa Campus.]]
[[File:Ritsumeikan Charter at Kinugasa Campus 2 (Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan).JPG|thumb|right|200px|The Ritsumeikan Charter]]
[[File:Ritsumeikan-Univ-Suzaku-01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Nakagawa Kaikan building on the Suzaku Campus]]
[[File:Ritsumeikan-Univ-BKC-03.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Rohm Plaza of Biwako Kusatsu Campus]]
[[File:Saionji Memorial Hall (Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan).JPG|thumb|200px|right|Saionji Memorial Hall (Kinugasa Campus, Kyoto, Japan)]]
[[File:Zonshinkan Hall (Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan).JPG|thumb|200px|right|Zonshinkan Hall (Kinugasa Campus, Kyoto, Japan)]]
[[File:Ritsumeikan Univ Library(Kyoto Japan).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library]]
In [[Kita-ku, Kyoto|Kita-ku]], Kyoto, this liberal arts-oriented campus is a roughly five-minute walk from [[Ryōan-ji]] and [[Kinkaku-ji]] temples. The campus has eight graduate schools, 17,000 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students.<ref>[http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/profile/datafile/2006/index.shtml] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221062506/http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/profile/datafile/2006/index.shtml|date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> The ovarall design of the Kinugasa Campus was designed by [[Hiroyasu Tomiie]], who was a leading Japanese modernist architect.

* Colleges ({{lang|ja|学部}})
** College of Law ({{lang|ja|法学部}})
** College of Social Sciences ({{lang|ja|産業社会学部}})
** College of International Relations ({{lang|ja|国際関係学部}})
** College of Letters ({{lang|ja|文学部}})
* Graduate Schools ({{lang|ja|大学院}})
** Graduate School of Law ({{lang|ja|法学研究科}})
** Graduate School of Sociology ({{lang|ja|社会学研究科}})
** Graduate School of International Relations ({{lang|ja|国際関係研究科}})
** Graduate School of Letters ({{lang|ja|文学研究科}})
** Graduate School of Language Education and Information Science ({{lang|ja|言語教育情報研究科}})
** Graduate School of CoreEthics and Frontier Sciences ({{lang|ja|先端総合学術研究科}})
* Institute at Kinugasa Campus ({{lang|ja|インスティテュート}})
** Inter-faculty Institute for International Studies ({{lang|ja|国際インスティテュート}})
*** International Law & Business Program ({{lang|ja|国際法務プログラム}})
*** International Civil Service Program ({{lang|ja|国際公共プログラム}})
*** International Community Program ({{lang|ja|国際社会プログラム}})
*** International Welfare Program ({{lang|ja|国際福祉プログラム}})

=== Suzaku Campus ===
In [[Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto|Nakagyō-ku]], Kyoto. This campus houses the School of Law, Graduate School of Management, and Graduate School of Public Policy, in addition to the Ritsumeikan Academy headquarters.
* Graduate Schools ({{lang|ja|大学院}})
** Graduate School of Public Policy ({{lang|ja|公務研究科}})
* Schools ({{lang|ja|専門職大学院}})
** School of Law<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/gr/hoka/en/ |title=Ritsumeikan University School of Law |publisher=Ritsumei.ac.jp |access-date=2012-11-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214075740/http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/gr/hoka/en/ |archive-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> ({{lang|ja|法務研究科}})

=== Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC) ===
Biwako-Kusatsu Campus is in Kusatsu, Shiga. This technology-oriented campus is southeast of [[Lake Biwa]], the largest freshwater lake in Japan, and is a 30-minute train ride from [[Kyōto Station]]. The campus has four undergraduate colleges, four graduate schools, 16,000 undergraduates and 1,600 graduate students.
* Colleges ({{lang|ja|学部}})
** College of Economics<ref>[http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/cg/ec/]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010085501/http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/cg/ec/|date=October 10, 2004}}</ref> ({{lang|ja|経済学部}}) The College of Economics offers three programs pertaining to Economic Strategy, Economic Cooperation and International Economics, and Human Welfare and Economic Conditions. The curriculum integrates theory, history, and knowledge of the current state of affairs in a structured approach on a domestic and foreign scale.
** College of Science and Engineering ({{lang|ja|理工学部}})
** Integrated Institute of Arts & Science ({{lang|ja|文理総合インスティテュート}})
** College of Life Sciences ({{lang|ja|生命科学部}})
** College of Pharmaceutical Sciences ({{lang|ja|薬学部}})
* Graduate Schools ({{lang|ja|大学院}})
** Graduate School of Economics<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/gr/gsec/ |title=立命館大学 経済学研究科 |publisher=Ritsumei.ac.jp |date=2000-08-30 |access-date=2012-11-14}}</ref> ({{lang|ja|経済学研究科}})
** Graduate School of Science and Engineering ({{lang|ja|理工学研究科}})
* Institute at BKC ({{lang|ja|インスティテュート}})
** Integrated Institute for Arts and Science
*** Environment & Design Institute ({{lang|ja|環境・デザインインスティテュート}})
*** Finance Institute ({{lang|ja|ファイナンス・情報インスティテュート}})
*** Service Management Institute ({{lang|ja|サービス・マネジメントインスティテュート}})

=== Osaka-Ibaraki Campus (OIC) ===
* Colleges
** College of Business Administration ({{lang|ja|経営学部}})
** College of Policy Science ({{lang|ja|政策科学部}})
** College of Comprehensive Psychology ({{lang|ja|総合心理学部}})
** College of Global Liberal Arts ({{lang|ja|国際教養学部}})
** College of Image Arts and Sciences ({{lang|ja|映像学部}})
** College of Information Science & Engineering ({{lang|ja|情報理工学部}})
* Graduate Schools ({{lang|ja|大学院}})
** Graduate School of Business Administration ({{lang|ja|経営学研究科}})
** Graduate School of Policy Science ({{lang|ja|政策科学研究科}})
** Graduate School of Technology Management ({{lang|ja|テクノロジー・マネジメント研究科}})
** Graduate School of Management ({{lang|ja|経営管理研究科}})
** Graduate School of Human Science ({{lang|ja|人間科学研究科}})

=== Osaka-Umeda Campus ===
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/osakaumedacampus/graduate/|title= 社会人大学院|accessdate=2023-09-13}}</ref>

* Graduate Schools for working adults ({{lang|ja|社会人大学院}})
** Graduate School of Management ({{lang|ja|経営管理研究科}})
** Graduate School of Technology Management ({{lang|ja|テクノロジー・マネジメント研究科}})
** Graduate School of Language Education and Information Science ({{lang|ja|言語教育情報研究科}})

=== Tokyo Campus ===
This campus does not have a college or graduate school, but is used to support students' job searches and other activities.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/tokyocampus/recruit_support/|title= 就職活動支援|accessdate=2023-09-13}}</ref>

== Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University ==
The [[Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University]] is a private institution inaugurated April 2000 in [[Beppu]], [[Ōita Prefecture]], Japan. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was made possible through the collaboration of three parties from the public and private sectors: Oita Prefecture, Beppu City and the Ritsumeikan University. APU has an enrollment of just under 6,000 students. Approximately half of the students and faculty members come from overseas, and it has 3 colleges:
* College of Asia Pacific Studies.
* College of International Management.
* College of Sustainability and Tourism (from Academic Year 2023).<ref>[https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/newapu/ Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University]</ref>

== Athletics ==
=== American Football ===
{{Main|Ritsumeikan Panthers football}}
The university has supported an [[American football]] rules team since 1953. The team has won three national championships, seven collegiate championships, and nine conference championships.

== Academics ==

=== Institutes ===
Ritsumeikan University has 4 research organizations and research institutes in many fields.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/research/organizations/|title= Research Organizations, Institutes and Centers at Ritsumeikan, Ritsumeikan University|accessdate=2023-06-21}}</ref>

*Ritsumeikan Asia-Japan Research Organization
**Asia-Japan Research Institute
*Kinugasa Research Organization
**Institute of Humanities, Human and Social Sciences
**Institute of International Relations and Area Studies
**International Institute of Language and Culture Studies
**Institute of Human Sciences
**Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage
**The Shirakawa Shizuka Institute of East Asian Characters and Culture
**Institute of Ars Vivendi
*BKC Research Organization of Social Sciences
**Institute of Social Systems
*Research Organization of Science and Technology
**Institute of Science and Engineering
*Research Organization of Open Innovation and Collaboration
**The Research and Development Institute of Regional Information

=== Facilities ===
[[File:Art Research Center(Ritsumeikan Univ Kyoto).jpg|thumb|left|Art Research Center (Kinugasa Campus)]]

==== Research Center for Disaster Mitigation Systems ====

Established in April 2005 on the Biwako-Kusatsu Campus, work at this center focuses on disaster mitigation using sensor systems and computer networks.

==== Art Research Center ====

Located at Kinugasa Campus, this center houses the Digital Humanities Center for Japanese Arts and Cultures, which focuses on research on Japanese art and culture using digital archives, databases, and geographical information systems.

==== Museums ====

The [[Kyoto Museum for World Peace]] seeks to critically examine Japan's militaristic past and includes numerous exhibits ranging from the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 to the Iraq War.

==== SR center ====

Located at BKC campus, this center is established for research using [[Synchrotron Radiation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/re/src/index.htm |title=立命館大学 SRセンター |publisher=Ritsumei.ac.jp |access-date=2012-11-14}}</ref>

=== International education ===

The university is one of the universities making progress in internationalization efforts and has been designated as one of the [[Top Global University Project|top global universities]] by the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology]]. Ritsumeikan University has exchange programs with schools throughout the world, including the [[The University of British Columbia|University of British Columbia]], the [[University of Melbourne]], the [[The University of Sydney|University of Sydney]], the [[University of Hong Kong]], [[King's College London]] and the [[The University of Manchester|University of Manchester]]. Ritsumeikan also currently offers a dual bachelor's degree program and dual master's degree program in collaboration with [[American University]] and [[Australian National University]].<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Dual Degree Program &#124; College of Global Liberal Arts |url=http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/gla/why_gla/dual_degree_program/ |access-date=2022-04-11 |publisher=Ritsumeikan University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/international/pdf_j/RU_partner_universities_and_Institutions.pdf|title= Ritsumeikan University Partner Universities and Institutions
|accessdate=2023-06-21}}</ref> Nearly 1,800 Ritsumeikan students study abroad, while Ristumeikan accepts nearly 2,500 international students every year.

=== Academic rankings ===

In the 2024 edition of the [[QS World University Rankings]], it is ranked 631st-640th. Ranked 4th among private universities in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=QS World University Rankings 2024: Top global universities|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024?&tab=indicators|website=QS TOPUNIVERSITIES|accessdate=2023-07-01|language=en}}</ref> In the 2023 edition QS Asia University Rankings, it was ranked 126th. Ranked 3rd among private universities in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=QS Asia University Rankings 2023|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asia-university-rankings/2023|website=QS TOPUNIVERSITIES|accessdate=2023-07-01|language=en}}</ref> In the 2022 edition of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, it ranked 201st-250th.<ref>{{Cite web|title=QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/employability-rankings/2022?qs_qp=topnav|website=QS TOPUNIVERSITIES|accessdate=2023-07-01|language=en}}</ref> It ranked 1st among private universities in Western Japan in the three rankings mentioned above.
{{Infobox university rankings|QS_Asia==144|QS_Asia_year=2025|QS_Asia_ref=<ref name="topuniasia">{{Cite web |title=QS Asia University Rankings 2025 – Overall |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/asia-university-rankings?items_per_page=150 |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en }}</ref>|QS_W==680|QS_W_ref=<ref name=":QSW2026">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings|title=QS World University Rankings}}</ref>|QS_W_year=2026}}

In the 2023 edition of THE World University Rankings Japan, it is ranked 31st. Ranked 11th among Western Japan universities and 1st among Kinki private universities. In the same year edition of [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings|THE World University Rankings]], it ranked 1201st-1500th, and in THE Asia University Rankings ranked 401st-500th.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/rankings/|title= World University Rankings @ Ritsumeikan University|accessdate=2023-06-21}}</ref>

In the 2023 edition of CWUR World University Rankings, it is ranked 1024th, in the top 5% of the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://cwur.org/2023.php|title= Global 2000 List by the center for world university ranking|accessdate=2023-06-21}}</ref>

== Notable people associated with Ritsumeikan ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2011}}
Notable people affiliated with Ritsumeikan University, including graduates, former students, and professors:
* [[Momofuku Ando]] (1934 College of Economics), founder of [[Nissin Foods|Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd.]] who invented the world's first [[instant noodles]] and [[cup noodles]].
* [[Shinzo Watanabe]] mathematics professor, the fundamental contributor to the field of probability theory, and stochastic analysis.
* [[Kenichirou Satou]] CEO of [[Rohm]]
* [[Den Kawakatsu]] former CEO of [[Nankai Electric Railway]]
* [[Takashi Haga]] former chairman and executive director of [[Marudai Food]]
* [[Shinichiro Furumoto]] (1987 College of Law), a member of the House of Representatives
* [[Kenta Izumi]] (1998 College of Law), a member of the House of Representatives and leader of [[Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan|CDP]]
* [[Tadayoshi Ichida]] (1967 College of Law), a member of the House of Councillors
* [[Hiroshi Okada]] (1969 College of Social Sciences), a member of the House of Councillors
* [[Atsuya Furuta]] (1988 College of Business Administration), [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] player ([[Tokyo Yakult Swallows]])
* Cico (College of International Relations), singer and half of [[Bennie K]]
* [[Shigetoshi Hasegawa]] (1990 College of Social Sciences), [[MLB]] player
* [[Masafumi Kawaguchi]] (1996 College of International Relations), [[American football]] player
* [[Noriaki Kinoshita]] (College of Business Administration), American football player
* [[Hiyori Kon]], female sumo wrestler
* [[Rikiya Koyama]] (College of Law), [[actor]]
* [[Daisuke Matsui]] (College of Business Administration), soccer player
* [[Tsutomu Minakami]], novelist, [[Naoki Prize]] winner
* [[Masayuki Nagare]], artist
* [[Hiroyuki Nagato]], actor
* [[Gorō Naya]], actor
* [[Rokuro Naya]] (College of Law), actor
* [[Isin Nisio]], novelist
* [[Tomokazu Ohka]] (College of Business Administration), MLB player
* [[Quruli]], Japanese music group
* [[Savanna (owarai)|Masumi Yagi and Shigeo Takahashi]], comedic duo
* [[Mai Kuraki]] (College of Social Sciences, 2005), singer
* [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]], professional wrestler
* [[Tomoaki Taniguchi]], Japan rugby player
* [[Yuji Ijiri]], accounting professor
* [[Princess Raiyah of Jordan]]
* [[Tomotaka Takahashi]], robot creator
* [[Akira Machida]], archaeologist
* [[Yamaguchi Gogen]] (College of Law), karate master
* [[Suh Sung]], professor and writer
* [[Otoboke Beaver]], punk band
* [[Mike Bellot]], Haitian entrepreneur
* [[Toshiya Kakiuchi]], businessman
* Kazutoshi Iida, game developer and designer of [[Doshin the Giant]]

== Unions ==
Some staff at Ritsumeikan University are represented by the [[General Union (Japan)|General Union]], a member of the [[National Union of General Workers (Zenrokyo)|National Union of General Workers]] (NUGW), which is itself a member of the [[National Trade Union Council (Japan)|National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.generalunion.org/rits/ |title=General Union Ritsumeikan Branch 立命館大学支部 |publisher=Generalunion.org |access-date=2015-10-02}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Minoru Kitamura]]
* [[Ritsumeikan Uji Junior and Senior High School]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Ritsumeikan University}}
* [https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/ Ritsumeikan University] (English)
* [https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/ Ritsumeikan Asian Pacific University](English)
* [https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/academics/ Profiles of Faculties]
* [https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/art-research-center-ritsumeikan-university Art Research Center, Ritsumeikan University at Google Cultural Institute]

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{{APSIA}}
{{Super Global University}}
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[[Category:Ritsumeikan University| ]]
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[[Category:Kansai Big Six]]
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[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Japan]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Kyoto]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Shiga Prefecture]]
[[Category:1900 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1900]]