Tokyo, February 13th, 2026 - Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU) will establish the Faculty of Global Innovation and Development in April 2028, offering a new form of learning that transcends the traditional boundaries between the humanities and sciences, with all classes conducted in English.

Founded in 1949, TMU has been reorganized and combined with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology, the Tokyo Metropolitan University of Health Sciences, and Tokyo Metropolitan College. Today, as the only university established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, it provides education and research that leverages the city’s advanced functions and rich natural environment.

To further fulfill its social mission as a knowledge hub that nurtures human resources who can play an active role in the global future through advanced education from a worldwide perspective, and to support the future of Tokyo and Japan, a new international faculty will be established.

*This initiative is currently under consideration for establishment approval by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and is subject to change.

1. Overview

Faculty name: Faculty of Global Innovation and Development

Planned opening date: April 2028

Admission capacity: 75 students (approx. 50 domestic students and 25 international students)

Location: Minami-Osawa Campus, TMU (Minami-Osawa, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo)

2. Concept

The Faculty of Global Innovation and Development aims to cultivate social innovators (*) who tackle the realization of sustainable cities and global challenges through a new learning approach that brings together knowledge from a wide range of academic fields.

(*) Individuals who can discern the essence of challenges, tackle their resolution using academic expertise, engage deeply with societal systems and structures, and who possess the ability to create sustainable societies.

3. Distinctive Features

Establishes a collaborative learning environment where students from diverse countries and regions can mutually inspire and challenge one another.

All classes are taught in English, and the curriculum is designed to integrate the liberal arts and sciences.

A new learning program covering five specialized fields: Regional Society, International Politics, Development Economics, Urban Science, and Ecological Conservation.

Offers a wide range of liberal arts courses, including philosophy, ethics, historical perspectives, and current social issues.

Provides Japanese language education tailored to international students’ learning needs.

Implements remedial mathematics education based on each student’s learning level.

Offers corporate internships and domestic study abroad programs to international students.

Open for admission in both spring (April) and fall (October).

4. Desired Candidate Profile

Based on the above concept and features, we seek students possessing the following attributes:

Motivated to tackle global challenges and realize sustainable cities

Capable of advanced English-language study and aspiring to thrive in international settings

Positive and proactive in deepening cross-cultural understanding and embracing diverse values

Eager to tackle global challenges through multifaceted approaches

Possessing an international perspective and capable of addressing global issues

5. Selection Process

Online entrance examinations for international students will be implemented.

The attachment “Overview of the Student Selection for Academic Year 2028” covers further details.

6. Others

We plan to provide secure accommodation for international students and financial support to academically outstanding students.

Aligning with the establishment of the Faculty of Global Innovation and Development, the English-Taught Degree Programs (T-GLIPs), the program learning expertise cultivated in existing departments at TMU, will be introduced in April 2027. Starting from the four departments in the Faculty of Urban Environmental Science, this program will be gradually installed in other faculties and departments to enhance our university-wide internationalization.

The PDF version of the press release is here

The overview of the student selection process is here

The overview of the new faculty (GLIDe) is here

The overview of the English-taught degree programs (T-GLIPs) is here