Ferris University, Ryokuen Campus

Ferris was founded according to the spirit of Christianity for the purpose of educating women. The first article in the school regulations states that "This school is an academic research and educational institution, its educational activities conducted in the spirit of Christianity, providing women with a high level of education and undertaking specialized scholarly research, with a love of truth and peace, and aiming to cultivate people who can contribute to the welfare of humanity."

Ferris Jogakuin began close to 150 years ago, in 1870, as Japan’s first modern institution for women’s education. Back then, it was believed in some quarters that girls and women did not need to study at school. Our founder was the American missionary Mary E. Kidder, and we became an educational institution that was a step ahead of its time in Japan. From our earliest days, Ferris has firmly believed in the importance of women's education and porticipation in society.

Back in 1870, there were still official notices prohibiting Christianity — the Japanese people were not allowed to practice Christianity. And yet, the school that would later become our university was founded on the principle of female education based on Christian beliefs. In Japan, this was a bold approach ahead of its time. That principle has never changed. Our university has roots going back to those early days, but has evolved into a most progressive and modern university. This has been our history, and we look forward with confidence to more advances in the future.

Ferris espouses an educational philosophy of "For Others." What is now the school’s motto is a sentiment that has emerged naturally among those involved in the university over the years, ever since its founding.

In essence, it can be said to mean "serve others." As such, each student who studies at the university absorbs and passes on this spirit of thinking toward not just oneself and those one feels close to, but also taking a wider perspective, developing an awareness of the presence of others as well, and acting for their good.

We have always espoused “For Others” as our ideal. Our university has recently focused on issues prevalent today, stressing the value of a social consciousness that favors harmony with others. Our students are proactive in tackling environmental problems, working towards multicultural coexistence in local communities, volunteering, promoting barrier-free infrastructure, and more. We regard “For Others” not as a catchphrase, but as a guidepost that leads us to practice its ideals every day.

Ferris University is known for its liberal traditions and methods. We value freedom, but not the freedom to do whatever one wants. The New Testament says, “The truth will make you free “(John 8:32), and we believe that the pursuit of truth will bring freedom. Our students’ pivotal years at university bring them into contact with ways of thinking, visualizing and conceptualizing that will support them throughout their lives, giving them the freedom to live as they see fit, without being threatened or confused by the words of others, without feeling that they have to follow the demands of others. Ferris University looks forward to continuing offering students opportunities to learn and study in pursuit of their own freedom.