Japanese universities have made their presence known around the world in the "THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025" published by the British higher education magazine "Times Higher Education (THE)." This ranking evaluates universities that contribute to solving global issues through interdisciplinary research that integrates multiple scientific fields, and 33 universities, including Tohoku University, were ranked.

Survey outline

• Survey period: 2019–2024
• Survey method: Analysis of academic articles and university evaluation data
• Survey requester: Times Higher Education (THE), Schmidt Science Fellows
• Evaluation Metrics: Scientific research expenses, research output, etc.

Top 5 Universities (World Ranking)

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - It has gained a global reputation for leading interdisciplinary research, particularly in the fields of engineering and technology.
2. stanford university - Strengths include innovative research and entrepreneurial spirit, and a broad range of interdisciplinary fields.
3. National University of Singapore (NUS) - As a top university in Asia, the university is attracting attention for its contributions to addressing global issues.
4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - A university specializing in small class sizes and cutting-edge research.
5. duke university - It has a strong reputation for its interdisciplinary research, especially in the medical field.

Top 5 Universities (Japan Ranking)

• Tohoku University(37th in the world) - Recognized as one of the top universities in Japan for its interdisciplinary research, it is active in a wide range of fields.
• Osaka University(53rd in the world) - Strengths include international collaborative research and innovation.
• University of Tsukuba(77th in the world) - The university is recognized for its research system that emphasizes interdisciplinarity.
• Kumamoto University(122nd in the world) - Although it is a regional national university, it has achieved results in interdisciplinary research.
• Keio University(151st in the world) - The only private university to be ranked. Recognized for its balance of tradition and innovation.

Regional national universities perform well

The highest ranking in Japan wasTohoku UniversityThis puts Japan in 37th place in the world rankings.Osaka University(53rd place),University of Tsukuba(Tied for 77th place) and other major national universities are listed.

On the other hand, local national universities are also making a name for themselves. For example,Kumamoto UniversityIt is ranked 6th in the country and 122nd overall.Keio Universitycame in at 151st place, the highest ranking.Tokyo University of Science(401-500th place),Chuo University,Kindai University(both ranked 501-600) followed.

Keio University ranked top among private universities

The highest-ranked private university in Japan in this ranking is Keio University (151st). The university has a long history and is known as a highly regarded educational and research institution both in Japan and abroad. It is particularly known for its research in a wide range of fields, including medicine, economics, and information science. In addition, its focus on industry-academia collaboration and international joint research is also thought to have led to its high ranking in this ranking.

Tokyo University of Science, Chuo University, and Kinki University also feature in the rankings, each of which offers distinctive educational programs and research activities. For example, Tokyo University of Science is particularly strong in education and research in the fields of science and technology, and is popular with students from Japan and abroad. Meanwhile, Chuo University is renowned for its practical education in the fields of law and business.

The strengths of private universities

Private universities are characterized by relatively flexible curricula and educational programs with a global perspective. In addition, they are known for providing students with practical experience, such as internships and career support that leverage their strong ties with companies.

The efforts of these private universities are reflected in their evaluation in this ranking.

Interdisciplinary Science Ranking Evaluation Criteria

The THE Interdisciplinary Science Ranking evaluates universities' research activities from the following three perspectives:

• input: Size of research funding and external funding
• Process: Support systems and promotion processes to promote interdisciplinary research
• Output: Quality and impact of research results (number of papers, number of citations, etc.)

These indicators are used to measure the extent to which universities around the world value and achieve results from interdisciplinary research.

The Significance of Interdisciplinary Science in Japanese Universities

This year's ranking places a premium on universities that emphasize an interdisciplinary perspective. Until now, Japanese universities have focused on education specialized in specialized fields, but in order to solve global issues, an interdisciplinary approach that combines multiple fields is essential.

For example, Tohoku University has received international acclaim for its research on materials science and renewable energy, while local national universities such as Kumamoto University are also making their presence felt through interdisciplinary research to solve local issues.

Summary

• Tohoku University is ranked first in Japan and 37th in the world
• Local national and private universities perform well in the field of interdisciplinary science
• Interdisciplinary approaches are important for solving future problems

While Japanese universities performed well in the interdisciplinary science rankings, some issues are also visible. For example, the lack of research funding and international collaborative research is thought to be the reason why no Japanese universities made it into the top 10. Also, attention is focused on the trends of universities that did not participate, such as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Kyushu University.

This ranking is also an opportunity to reaffirm the potential of Japanese universities. When considering which university to choose, why not discuss with your family how an approach to interdisciplinary science will affect your future?

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