An Overview

Akita International University, AIU, is a four-year liberal arts university located in Akita prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. It is a public university corporation established in April 2004 by a local prefectural government. Its undergraduate program offers bachelor’s degrees in Global Business and Global Studies, and its graduate program offers master’s degrees in Japanese Language Teaching, English Language Teaching, and Global Communication Practices.

AIU is located in Akita city (population about 322,000), the capital of Akita prefecture (population about 1,080,000). The campus is surrounded by natural beauty, but is easily accessible from Akita Airport.
The undergraduate program at AIU is unique in Japan. All courses are taught in English, with the exception of foreign language courses. Non-native English speaking students are prepared for using English in the classroom with our intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program. See "Quick Facts" to learn more about AIU.

All AIU degree-seeking students are required to spend one year abroad at one of our Partner Institutions around the world. A significant portion of the international students studying here are exchange students from our partner institutions, who participate in our Japanese Language and Japan Studies courses, or take any of the other courses offered in our undergraduate program.

A state-of-the-art sports facility, hiking, cycling, golf courses, and a large shopping mall, are all in the vicinity of our campus. The university organizes various events, activities, and field trips providing students with hands-on experience in Japanese culture.
In Fall, 2010, AIU welcomed 161 international students from 24 countries and regions, a strong indication of its commitment to inter-cultural education.

Akita International University