Tamagawa Academy & University

Tamagawa Academy (K-12) was founded in 1929 as an elementary education organization. Later a secondary education division was added, and in 1947 Tamagawa University received approval for establishment as an "old system" (pre-war) university. As an academy (gakuen) which encompasses all school grades, we currently provide education from kindergarten to graduate school level within a single campus.

With our primary educational principle of "Zenjin" Education, and as a private school with definite individuality, we aim to build rich and harmonious human culture beginning with scholarship, morality, arts, religion, the body and everyday life. It is through education that we become better people. Education is an activity that improves a person - starting at the time of birth and continuing on throughout life. Tamagawa founder Kuniyoshi Obara characterized human beings as having an unique individuality from birth, and also a commonality with everyone in the world. The mission of Tamagawa education is to progress towards a realization of this principle and to produce outstanding individuals who can contribute not only to Japanese society but to the world.

As we face rapid change in Japan, schools must educate children so that they become capable of responding to the changing needs of society. In addition to providing children with optimal knowledge and skills, schools must help children develop a strong moral compass and the ability to understand and evaluate value systems in a changing and diverse world. While Tamagawa Academy (K-12) and Tamagawa University continue to evolve in accord with changes in society, the educational philosophy extolled since the founding of the school-with its focus on Zenjin ("whole person") Education-remains unchanged. In addition to instilling skills and knowledge, we seek to put into practice an education tailored to a new era: an education that gives children the skills needed to take the initiative in solving difficult problems and the creativity needed to blaze their own path.

Tamagawa provides a globally renowned, world-class education, seeking to produce graduates capable of applying knowledge for the benefit of society.

Tamagawa founder Kuniyoshi Obara characterized human beings as having an unique individuality from birth, and also a commonality with everyone in the world. The mission of Tamagawa education is to progress towards the realization of this principle. Our mission is to produce outstanding individuals who can contribute to not only Japanese society but to the world. To achieve these goals, students need to improve their knowledge and skills, cultivate healthy mind and body, and lift their spirits.

People can always find dissatisfaction in any age. But someone must do the difficult work to improve the situation. People with the courage to start working in the most difficult, unappealing, painful and disadvantageous situation with a smile are those who are worthy of becoming leaders in the 21st century. Tamagawa is determined to cultivate those pioneers in life who will courageously take up challenges without fear of failure, even though unknown hardships are sure to come their way.

An ideal form of education is to incorporate the values of human culture harmoniously into personality. Tamagawa K-12 & University pursues education designed to create the six values, namely truth, goodness, beauty, holiness, soundness and wealth. Education must allow an individual to develop his or her unique self to the fullest, and achieve self-realization and fulfillment. Education with respect for individuality involves the development of each individual into a more attractive human being.

Students need to learn by themselves, and not only through instruction. The purpose of education at Tamagawa is not merely to convey academic knowledge, but to enable students to acquire methods to find truths, through their own enthusiasm. To provide smooth, efficient and appropriate education to each student, we endeavor to bolster students' academic enthusiasm and to improve efficiency, by improving the learning environment, carefully selecting teaching materials, improving teaching methods, using information technology (IT) and other means.

At the root of education, there are solid and eternally unchanging principles. To put these principles to work, arguments need to be put forth based on evidence, and scientific considerations must be accumulated, so that educational activities can be conducted with a firm belief. Mother Nature has offered great opportunities for education. We believe that it is important to teach students to preserve our precious natural environment. The relationship between teachers and students needs to be full of warmth and trust. Disciplined but warm human relations should be appreciated.We are citizens of one nation but also citizens of the world. We should always endeavor to find the best solution to conflicting aspects of particular issues, such as ourselves as individuals and ourselves as members of the society, ideals and reality, and freedom and rules.