The University of Tokyo (東京大学, Tōkyō daigaku), abbreviated as Todai (東大, Tōdai) or UTokyo, is a public research university located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1877 as the first imperial university, it is one of Japan’s most prestigious universities. The university has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are international students. Its five campuses are in Hongō (本郷), Komaba (駒場), Kashiwa (柏), Shirokane (白金) and Nakano (中野). It also has a graduate school that provides doctoral degrees in various fields such as science and engineering as well as liberal arts and humanities.
Tokyo Imperial University was established by the Meiji government in 1877 under its current name by assimilating older institutions which were established back in the Edo period; these include the Daikandaidan medical school (), which dated back to 1624 making it the oldest institute of higher education in Japan; and the predecessor to Faculty of Science: , an astronomical observatory dating from 1828. As part of the consolidation process after 1877 these separate entities were merged into one entity called Tokyo Imperial University on April 1st 1889 under an edict issued by Emperor Meiji. This merger provided more financial security and strength allowing for considerable expansion during this time; between 1889 and 1897 four new departments were set up: Law (), Letters (), Education () and Agriculture (). The fifth faculty Business Administration (), later renamed Economics(), was added later through merging Yokohama Commercial School founded in 1902 with its sister institution Keio Economic Observatory (); this merger created what is today known as Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo. In September 1923 following earthquakes that struck Japan’s Kantō region causing severe damage to buildings across campus resulting in over 700 casualties among staff and students alike; classes were cancelled for an entire semester while repairs took place across all campuses beginning October that same year lasting until 1924 .In addition to this natural disaster another significant event occurred during this time which would shape not just Tokyo Imperial University but Japanese society forevermore –the Great Kanto earthquake on September 1st 1923 followed by fires which broke out due to damaged gas pipelines burned down much of downtown Tokyo including large parts around Hongo Campus .This double tragedy resulted not only great physical damage but also psychological trauma for many people living through it who sought refuge at nearby Waseda University or evacuation sites set up within parks such Ueno Park where two makeshift hospitals were set up within days following disasters providing treatment free-of-charge regardless social status ; one doctor working there remarked “it didn’t matter if patients had no money or even if they were criminals… everyone was equal when they needed medical attention.” These events resulted changes how people thought about themselves their communities country leading way towards democracy .
After World War II ended 1945 American occupying forces led by General Douglas MacArthur oversaw creation new Constitution approved 1946 which included article renouncing war renaming country from Empire State becoming Republic putting end centuries old imperial tradition .One key change implemented during Occupation era related education giving rise so-called 6–3–3–4 system primary secondary schools 6 years 3 years 3 years 4 years college respectively instead previous 5–3–3–4 system ; this placed greater emphasis importance attending college preparing Japanese youth work force competition global economy .Along these lines 1948 saw establishment Ministry Education now known MEXT responsible overseeing all aspects educational policy country from pre-school tertiary level including support research development activities taking place at universities like Tokyo .In 1950 using funds donated Industrialist Eiichi Shibusawa construction started Shibuya Campus site current Meiji Jingu Stadium home several faculties including Law Political Science Economics Business Management interdisciplinary Graduate Schools Professional degree programs like medicine dentistry pharmacy veterinary medicine; construction completed 1953 although buildings housing some departments weren’t ready until 1954 forcing those move other locations temporarily example Department Foreign Studies moved Yokohama before moving back 1957 when building completed .