History

History

The history of Bunkyo Gakuen’s dates back to 1924 when our founder, Ishiko Shimada, established an academy with the objective of “providing women with the skills to become independent.”

Since that time our founder’s initial spirit has been handed down through generations of Bunkyo Gakuen students. Throughout the changing times the University’s principles of independence and co-existance have remained steadfast as we work to educate capable young people.

In 1947 the Bunkyo Gakuen Girls’ Junior High School was established, and since that time the educational functions and institutions of Bunkyo Gakuen have continued to develop, with the establishment of the Institute of Medical Technology for Women in 1959, the establishment of the Women’s College in 1964, and the establishment of the Faculty of Business Administration in 1991.

During the late 1990s, Bunkyo Gakuin University began to develop and expand its offerings in other areas of learning. In 1996 the Lifetime Learning Center was opened for non-full-time students. In 1997 the Faculty of Human Studies was opened and the Graduate Division of the University was established. The Faculty of Foreign Studies was added in 2001.

In 2004 Bunkyo Gakuen marked the 80th anniversary since its establishment and to commemorate this occasion in April 2005 all undergraduate faculties and courses were made co-educational. In April 2006 the Faculty of Health Science Technology, which aims to nurture the healthcare professionals of tomorrow, was established. The Bunkyo Gakuin two year College also became co-ed during this year. The University continues to seek further development and improvement.

History of Bunkyo Gakuen events

  • April 1924
    • The Hongo Women’s Academy is founded by Ishiko Shimada in the Hongo area of Tokyo (the current location of Bunkyo Gakuin University).
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  • February 1947
    • Bunkyo Women’s College is established. The institution is renamed.
  • April 1947
  • June 1947
    • The Ministry of Education approves the creation of Bunkyo Gakuen as an educational foundation, Ishiko Shimada is appointed as the first President.
  • April 1948
  • April 1959
    • The Institute of Medical Technology for Women is established.
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  • April 1964
    • Bunkyo Women’s College (English Language & Literature Division) opens.
  • April 1982
    • The Business Administration Division and Child Development Division open at Bunkyo Women’s College on the newly developed Fujimino Campus in Saitama.
  • April 1991
  • April 1996
    • The Lifetime Learning Center opens.
  • April 1997
  • April 1999
  • April 2001
  • April 2002
    • The University changes its name to Bunkyo Gakuin University from Bunkyo Women’s University.
  • October 2004
    • Bunkyo Gakuen marks the 80th anniversary of its establishment.
  • April 2005
  • April 2006
    • The Faculty of Health Science Technology is established. Within this Faculty, the Department of Physical Therapy, the Department of Occupational Therapy, and the Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine are newly established. Bunkyo Gakuin two year College adopts a co-educational system.
  • 2008
    • The Department of Early-childhood Care and Education of the Faculty of Human Studies is reorganized and renamed to Child Development.
    • The construction of Center Building is completed at the Fujimino campus.
    • Bunkyo Gakuin Institute of Medical Technology is closed.
  • 2009
    • Bunkyo Gakuin marks the 85th anniversary.
  • 2010
    • The Master’s degree program in Health Science Care is launched at the School of Health Science Care of the Graduate Division.
    • The Department of Co-existence Studies of the Faculty of Human Studies is reorganized and renamed to Sociology and Communication.