University of Tsukuba

A leading public research institution exists in Japan at the University of Tsukuba which operates from its main campus in Tsukuba Science City. The university has established itself as one of Japan's most innovative institutions through its free-access policies and its extensive five-kilometer campus which represents one of the country's largest single-campus facilities. The university functions as the central intellectual hub of a scientific city that contains more than 100 research facilities operated by both public and private institutions. The campus area features modern architectural designs which exist in harmony with its natural landscapes through its system of walkways and bicycle routes that link academic territory to the adjacent city space.

The Normal School which established Japan's first teacher-training institution began the history of the institution when it opened its doors in 1872. The legacy of this educational institution became the Tokyo University of Education which served as a fundamental educational institution in Japan during its more than 100 years of operation. The University of Tsukuba became established in 1973 after the institution moved from Tokyo to its present location as part of a national educational reform initiative which intended to create a "new concept" university. The new system required academic departments to adopt a more flexible approach which allowed them to collaborate across multiple fields instead of working within their established academic boundaries. The university maintained its growth by expanding its operations and merging with University of Library and Information Science in 2002 while establishing National University Corporation status in 2004.