Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda Daigaku; or 早大 Soudai for short) is one of the two most prestigious private universities in Japan (the other is Keio University) while the two most prestigious state-run universities are Tokyo University and Kyoto University. It is one of the Tokyo 6 Universities. It is located on the northern side of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.

History

The school was founded by samurai scholar Okuma Shigenobu in 1882, and was designated a full university in 1902. Much of the campus was destroyed in the firebombings of Tokyo during World War II, but the university was rebuilt and reopened by 1949.

Waseda's literature program is particularly famous, and counts Haruki Murakami and Tawara Machi among its graduates. Joyu Fumihiro , a de-facto chief of religious group Aleph (formerly known as Aum Shinrikyo), also graduated from Waseda, where he studied Artificial Intelligence.

Waseda is also known as a training ground for Japanese politicians. Five postwar prime ministers are Waseda alumni: Ishibashi Tanzan (1956 - 1957), Takeshita Noboru (1987 - 1989), Kaifu Toshiki (1989 - 1991), Obuchi Keizo (1998-2000), and Mori Yoshiro (2000-2001). Among the last ten prime ministers, (1)three of them are Waseda alumni: (2) two are from Keio University: (3)one from Tokyo University: (4) none from Kyoto University. Socialist leader Suzuki Mosaburo was also a Waseda alumnus.

A September 11 victim named Toshiya Kuge (Wikipedia Memorial page), who was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, was a student at this university.

Waseda was recently involved in the development of the WL-16 "walking robot."

Regarding stereotypes of Waseda and Keio University students, the most widely held are that Waseda students, while on a whole undeniably wealthy, tend to be a lot more "dirty" and "down to earth" than those attending Keio. Women attending Keio in particular are often cited as ojō-sama "princesses".

Famous Alumni

Prime Ministers

• Ishibashi Tanzan (1956 - 1957)
• Takeshita Noboru (1987 - 1989)
• Kaifu Toshiki (1989 - 1991)
• Obuchi Keizo (1998-2000)
• Mori Yoshiro (2000-2001)

Politician

• Makiko Tanaka
• Masahide Ota
• Mikio Aoki (Dropout)
• Suzuki Mosaburo
• Taku Yamasaki

Diplomat

• Chiune Sugihara (Dropout)
• Katsuhiko Oku

Academian

• Kanichi Asakawa

Business leader

• Hiroshi Yamauchi (Dropout)
• Masaru Ibuka
• Michael Kogan
• Nobuyuki Idei
• Yoshiaki Tsutsumi

Authors

• Edogawa Rampo
• Haruki Murakami
• Kitahara Hakushu (Dropout)
• Kunikida Doppo
• Masuji Ibuse (Dropout)
• Shuji Terayama
• Taneda Santoka (Dropout)
• Tawara Machi
• Yokomitsu Riichi (Dropout)
• Wataya Risa

Sport player

• Hiroaki Shukuzawa (Rugby player)
• Kisshomaru Ueshiba (Martial artist)
• Shizuka Arakawa (Figure skater)
• Takuma Sato (Dropout) (Formula One automobile racing driver)

Others

• Hirokazu Koreeda (Film director)
• Tetsuya Komuro (Dropout) (Musician)
• Ryoko Hirosue (Dropout) (Actress)
• Yuji Horii (Game creator)

Surrounding Areas

Waseda University's main campus is aptly located in the Waseda district of Shinjuku, although Waseda is generally associated with the Yamanote train line station, Takadanobaba. One stop away from Waseda on the Tozai line is Kagurazaka. 60 years ago Kagurazaka was the Geisha center of Tokyo. While no longer populated with Geisha, it is now home to a smattering of wonderful French and classic Japanese resturants.

Northwest of the university is Ikebukuro, the second busiest station in Tokyo. A place incongruously (for being so busy) devoid of much nightlife outside of massage parlors and hostess bars.

One stop away on the Yamanote line from Takadanobaba is Mejiro station . A veritable oasis of calm and beauty amongst the bustling and comparatively dirty Takadanobaba and Ikebukuro stations. Mejiro station is adjacent to Gakushuin University.

Sports Competitions

Perhaps the most common manifestation of the rivalry between Waseda and Keio University is the baseball game held twice yearly. It is always held at Jingu Stadium , and is considered one of the most important competitions by both student bodies.

Waseda University football team won two times the Emperor's Cup, in 1964 and 1967.

External link

• Waseda University Homepage