Waseda University

Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda Daigaku; or 早大 S?dai for short) is one of the two most prestigious private universities in Japan (the other is Keio University). It is one of the Tokyo 6 Universities Alliance. It is located on the northern side of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.

History

The school was founded by samurai scholar Okuma Shigenobu in 1882, and was designated a full university in 1902. Much of the campus was destroyed in the firebombings of Tokyo during World War II, but the university was rebuilt and reopened by 1949.

Related Topics:
Samurai - Okuma Shigenobu - 1882 - 1902 - World War II - 1949

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Waseda's literature program is particularly famous, and counts Haruki Murakami and Tawara Machi among its graduates. The Waseda University Library is also possessed of a unique collection which survived the Bombing of Tokyo in World War II unlike many of its counterparts. This means that its collection is an important resource in the study of pre-war Japanese history and literature.

Related Topics:
Literature - Haruki Murakami - Tawara Machi - Waseda University Library - Bombing of Tokyo in World War II

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Joyu Fumihiro, a de-facto chief of religious group Aleph (formerly known as Aum Shinrikyo), also graduated from Waseda, where he studied Artificial Intelligence.

Related Topics:
Joyu Fumihiro - Religious - Aleph - Aum Shinrikyo - Artificial Intelligence

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Waseda is also known as a training ground for Japanese politicians. Five postwar prime ministers are Waseda alumni: Ishibashi Tanzan (1956 - 1957), Takeshita Noboru (1987 - 1989), Kaifu Toshiki (1989 - 1991), Obuchi Keizo (1998-2000), and Mori Yoshiro (2000-2001). Among the last ten prime ministers, (1)three of them are Waseda alumni:

Related Topics:
Ishibashi Tanzan - Takeshita Noboru - Kaifu Toshiki - Obuchi Keizo - Mori Yoshiro

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(2) two are from Keio University: (3)one from Tokyo University: (4) none from Kyoto University. Socialist leader Suzuki Mosaburo was also a Waseda alumnus.

Related Topics:
Keio University - Tokyo University - Kyoto University - Suzuki Mosaburo

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A September 11 victim named Toshiya Kuge (Wikipedia Memorial page), who was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, was a student at this university.

Related Topics:
September 11 - United Airlines - Flight 93

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Waseda was recently involved in the development of the WL-16 "walking robot."

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Regarding stereotypes of Waseda and Keio University students, the most widely held are that Waseda students, while on a whole undeniably wealthy, tend to be a lot more "dirty" and "down to earth" than those attending Keio. Women attending Keio in particular are often cited as ojō-sama "princesses".

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