AKITA – Akita International University (AIU), a small, single-department college in northern Japan, has become a key destination for top students and major recruiters.
Located a 30-minute drive from Akita city, AIU enrolls about 170 students per grade. Despite its remote location, the university attracts top officials from major corporations like Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, as well as government offices. In 2023, between 60 and 70 companies hosted recruitment sessions at AIU.
The university’s curriculum, which includes a mandatory year abroad, is known for producing highly motivated graduates. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 200 companies visited the campus for recruitment events. Although many employers shifted to online sessions due to the pandemic, the demand for AIU graduates remains strong.
Innovative Approach
Founded in 2004 by Akita Prefecture, AIU was Japan’s first public university corporation with management autonomy. It was established on the former site of the Akita campus of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
AIU’s first president was Mineo Nakajima, former head of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
The university offers all classes in English, and students are required to spend a year abroad. Other unique features include a 24-hour library and a fall enrollment system, which is different from the typical spring admissions at most Japanese universities. The annual tuition fee is ¥700,000 ($4,400), which covers the cost of studying abroad through the university’s exchange programs, helping to offset the expense of overseas study.
A Strong, Self-Driven Student Body
In December, a recruiter from a major construction company visited AIU and praised the university’s students. “The school’s demanding educational environment, especially the mandatory study-abroad program, produces highly self-motivated students,” the recruiter explained. “They choose AIU over urban universities, which shows their sense of purpose and proactive attitude. These qualities are major advantages in the workforce.”
The recruiter also highlighted the adaptability of AIU students, noting that their international experiences help them embrace diverse values and adjust to new environments.
Yukimi Ouchi, a former AIU student who now works in recruitment for Mitsui Chemicals, pointed out that AIU’s smaller, more resource-limited setting fosters independence. “At large universities in urban areas, students have more options. But at AIU, students must be proactive and develop the ability to think and act on their own. That’s exactly what employers want,” she said.
AIU aims to train global leaders, with 25% of its students coming from abroad. First-year students live in a dormitory with international students. The university’s liberal arts courses are taught in English and focus on discussion in small groups. Students must study at one of AIU’s 203 partner institutions across 51 countries for at least one year.
Strong Employment Outcomes
Most AIU students come from outside Akita Prefecture, with around 30% hailing from the Tokyo area and 10% from both the Kansai region and Akita itself. Over 80% of students graduate from public high schools.
Thanks to AIU’s strong track record, nearly all graduates secure jobs with major companies like Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp. The university’s high job placement rate has gained widespread attention across Japan.
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