History of Dokkyo University

Since the foundation of the Doitsu-gaku Kyōkai Gakkō (German Association School) over 130 years ago, Dokkyo University has maintained its tradition and history as a hub for foreign language education and international exchange that can rival any on the world stage.

A university is an institution where character is developed through learning

Under the principle of nurturing internationally minded individuals by providing them with an opportunity to study the language and culture of Germany, Doitsu-gaku Kyōkai Gakkō (German Association School) was founded in 1883. This year marked the opening of Rokumeikan, a building that served as a symbol of the civilization and enlightenment of the Meiji period, and Japan's first steps toward internationalization. The following year, a vocational school specializing in law was established to add specialist subject courses in law and politics to the 5-year junior high school. Since then, this educational establishment has produced many outstanding human resources - mainly in the medical world - as the only junior high school in Japan to teach German.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of this educational institute, Dokkyo University was established in 1964 with Dr. Teiyu Amano as its first president under the founding philosophy of "A university is an institution where character is developed through learning." Based on the spirit of German educational doctrines, the university places great importance on teaching smaller groups of students in settings such as seminars, thereby creating numerous opportunities for interaction between the teaching staff and students. More than 130 years since the foundation of the Doitsu-gaku Kyōkai Gakkō, our tradition and history of foreign language education and international exchange remains alive and well as it continues to be passed on to this day.

Founding philosophy

"A university is an institution where character is developed through learning"

Monument to the founding of Dokkyo UniversityTeiyu Amano, the university's founder, said the following to mark the founding of the university. Character development is inherently a lifelong task and it can be carried out in various ways...At a university, however, character must be developed through learning. One must immerse oneself in one's studies. Maintaining concentration and focus is the best way to discipline one's mind and build character. Academic efforts are sure to develop one's character and discipline one's will.
This will must be pure, as academic pursuit is not possible without honesty. The words "character must be developed through learning" continue to encourage us to think about the essence of learning and they serve as the starting point for all those studying at Dokkyo University.

Teiyu Amano （1884-1980)

Founder of Dokkyo University and leading authority on Kant's philosophy

Graduate of Doitsu-gaku Kyōkai Junior High School, founder of Dokkyo University, and philosopher.
Minister of Education during the third Yoshida Cabinet.
Amano was also known as a leading authority on Immanuel Kant's philosophy, having been the first to complete a Japanese translation of Kant's Kritik der reinen Vernunft (Critique of Pure Reason).

Amane Nishi （1829-1897）

Philosopher who created the term tetsugaku

First principal of Doitsu-gaku Kyōkai Gakkō (German Association School), philosopher, and enlightenment thinker.
After studying abroad in Holland, Nishi joined the Meirokusha (Meiji 6 Society) together with Yukichi Fukuzawa and various others and devoted himself to enlightenment activities. Having introduced Western philosophy to Japan, he was later referred to as the "Father of Modern Japanese Philosophy."

Jintaro Omura （1863-1907）

Father of Dokkyo's education

Fourth principal of Doitsu-gaku Kyōkai Gakkō.
While making great efforts to popularize German studies, Omura introduced the academic and social educational practices of Germany and other European countries to Dokkyo, establishing an all-round education system that includes intellectual, moral, and physical education.

History