Jo Niijima's Story

During the final days of the Edo period, Jo Niijima risked his life to travel to America in search of freedom. Fortunately, with the support of many kind-hearted individuals in this new land, he was able to receive a democratic and advanced education across three different schools. While studying abroad, Niijima realized that for Japan to become a modern nation, it was essential to have an educat

During the final days of the Edo period, Jo Niijima risked his life to travel to America in search of freedom. Fortunately, with the support of many kind-hearted individuals in this new land, he was able to receive a democratic and advanced education across three different schools. While studying abroad, Niijima realized that for Japan to become a modern nation, it was essential to have an education system that fostered individuals filled with autonomy, freedom, and a strong conscience. Upon returning to Japan, he dedicated himself to transplanting an American-style school into his homeland, taking on the challenge of establishing Japan's first private university. Ultimately, his ambition and dream of founding a university were not realized during his lifetime. However, that dream has been continuously passed down and lives on within the students, alumni, and faculty of present-day Doshisha. (Source: Official site, translated)