About Soka University

​
Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education

The founder stated that the true mission of Soka University is to create value and give back to humanity, and called on students to "be creative people."
Education at universities should never be limited to imparting specialized knowledge. The greatest delusion of modern people is mistaking knowledge for wisdom, and what is needed are people who can apply their knowledge to solve problems in an ever-changing world, while freely exercising their wisdom. From this perspective, Soka University aims to provide "human education," and to foster creative individuals who, based on a rich humanity, can sincerely tackle the individual problems facing humanity and exercise their wisdom.

​
Be the cradle of a new culture

Universities that were established in medieval Europe developed scholastic philosophy based on Christianity and played a major role in creating the Renaissance (the revival of humanity). In the modern era, in order to create a new global culture, a philosophy that once again integrates and properly positions all academic disciplines, reason, emotion, etc. is required. The basis of this philosophy is "human beings," and what is required is nothing other than creative human beings who are truly "cultured" and global citizens.
A global citizen can be described as a person of wisdom, courage, and compassion. Courage to respect, understand, and use racial, ethnic, and cultural differences as fuel for growth. Compassion to empathize with and show solidarity with people who are suffering in faraway places. Wisdom wells up without limit from such courage and compassion. Soka University aims to be the cradle of the construction of a new global culture based on the solidarity of global citizens, that is, creative human beings.

​
Be a fortress for the peace of humankind

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda were subjected to harsh repression for their bold resistance to militarism during World War II, and Makiguchi died in prison. After his release from prison, Toda carried on Makiguchi's will for peace, and in 1957 he issued the "Declaration for the Abolition of Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs." To realize this philosophy of peace, our founder has engaged in dialogue with many intellectuals around the world and opened up exchanges between people. The pursuit of peace is the soul of Soka education.
Makiguchi pointed out that the "humanitarian competition" is the path humanity should follow in the future. It is not a military competition, nor an economic competition, but a competition to see how best to bring happiness to humanity. What is needed now is nothing other than the development of creative individuals who will take on this humanitarian competition. Soka University aims to be a fortress of peace that develops open dialogue with all people around the world.

Guidelines

On the opening day of the school, the founder

• Only labor and devotion to one’s mission give life its worth
• Only through hardship and mission can the value of life be found

He gave the students this guideline: "Creative people are born from the hard work of sincerely pursuing academic studies, without forgetting the mission of world peace and the happiness of the people. This is Soka University."

Close

Soka University Mission Statement

In 1930, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi published The System of Soka Education (Volume 1). "Soka" means the creation of value. The center of that value is none other than life. The focus of Soka education is to nurture people who continue to challenge themselves toward the "greater good" of peace that protects the dignity of life and who never give up creating value no matter what difficulties they face - in other words, to develop "creative human beings."

Makiguchi's profound philosophy of respecting the dignity of life was passed on to Josei Toda, and Daisaku Ikeda, who inherited Founding Spirit, founded Soka University in 1971 to realize the ideals of Soka education.

• Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education
• Be the cradle of a new culture
• Be a fortress that protects peace for humanity.

We have shown three of these:

Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education

The founder stated that the true mission of Soka University is to create value and give back to humanity, and called on students to "be creative people."
Education at universities should never be limited to imparting specialized knowledge. The greatest delusion of modern people is mistaking knowledge for wisdom, and what is needed are people who can apply their knowledge to solve problems in an ever-changing world, while freely exercising their wisdom. From this perspective, Soka University aims to provide "human education," and to foster creative individuals who, based on a rich humanity, can sincerely tackle the individual problems facing humanity and exercise their wisdom.

Be the cradle of a new culture

Universities that were established in medieval Europe developed scholastic philosophy based on Christianity and played a major role in creating the Renaissance (the revival of humanity). In the modern era, in order to create a new global culture, a philosophy that once again integrates and properly positions all academic disciplines, reason, emotion, etc. is required. The basis of this philosophy is "human beings," and what is required is nothing other than creative human beings who are truly "cultured" and global citizens.
A global citizen can be described as a person of wisdom, courage, and compassion. Courage to respect, understand, and use racial, ethnic, and cultural differences as fuel for growth. Compassion to empathize with and show solidarity with people who are suffering in faraway places. Wisdom wells up without limit from such courage and compassion. Soka University aims to be the cradle of the construction of a new global culture based on the solidarity of global citizens, that is, creative human beings.

Be a fortress that protects peace for humanity.

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda were subjected to harsh repression for their bold resistance to militarism during World War II, and Makiguchi died in prison. After his release from prison, Toda carried on Makiguchi's will for peace, and in 1957 he issued the "Declaration for the Abolition of Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs." To realize this philosophy of peace, our founder has engaged in dialogue with many intellectuals around the world and opened up exchanges between people. The pursuit of peace is the soul of Soka education.
Mr. Makiguchi pointed out that the "humanitarian competition" is the path humanity should follow in the future. It is not a military competition, nor an economic competition, but a competition to see how best to bring happiness to humanity. What is needed now is nothing other than the development of creative individuals who will take on this humanitarian competition. Soka University aims to be a fortress of peace that develops open dialogue with all people around the world.
On the opening day of the school, the founder

• For what purpose should one cultivate wisdom? May you always ask yourself this question!
• Only through hardship and mission can the value of life be found

He gave the students this guideline: "Creative people are born from the hard work of sincerely pursuing academic studies, without forgetting the mission of world peace and the happiness of the people. This is Soka University."

Soka University Education Mission Statement

Soka Integrated Education is made up of schools ranging from university to kindergarten that belong to the Soka Gakuen (established in 1967) and Soka University (established in 1971), which were both founded by Daisaku Ikeda with the aim of building happiness for humanity and world peace.

The number of students (8,700) and pupils (5,200) enrolled in Soka University, Soka University Graduate School, Soka Women’s College College, Soka High School, Kansai Soka High School, Soka Junior High School, Kansai Soka Junior High School, Tokyo Soka Elementary School, Kansai Soka Elementary School and Sapporo Soka Kindergarten is approximately 14,000, and if we add the 8,500 who belong to the Soka University Distance Learning Division, 22,500 people are studying in the Soka Integrated Education. In addition, there are Soka Kindergartens in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Korea, Soka Gakuen in Brazil, and Soka University and Graduate School in America, which are all locally incorporated, forming a global network.

The founding principles of each school, as outlined by the founder, Daisaku Ikeda, are the fundamental guidelines for each school's education and will never change. Each school adheres to "humanism based on the absolute dignity of life" and aims to nurture "talented individuals with the intellect and character to create value in life and society" who aim to contribute to others while establishing themselves.
The founding principles of this school originated from the "Soka Education Theory" of Soka Gakkai's first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, and were realized through the educational practices of the second president, Josei Toda, and by Daisaku Ikeda, who realised all of the educational vision of the school.

Soka Integrated Education is based primarily on "human education" that aims to realize "lifelong happiness" for students. The purpose of Soka Education is human happiness, and to create people who build happiness for themselves and others. "Human education" that respects the personality and individuality of each individual and helps them realize their limitless potential is a requirement of the times. The school has formed a group of schools that are centered on students, with teachers and students respecting each other.

Secondly, the school aims to produce talent who are committed to the idea of peace and can play an active role in the world, and to "foster global citizens." In other words, the school believes that the prerequisites for becoming a global citizen are "talented people who possess courage, compassion, and wisdom," as is the motto and motto of each school. Through collaboration and exchange with overseas institutions, the school aims to deepen intercultural understanding, raise interest in "peace," "human rights," and "the environment" so that students can contribute to the international community, and specifically to enhance "language education," "information education," and "reading." Each school has programs for these issues that correspond to their respective developmental stages.

Thirdly, we aim to develop "creative people." In other words, we aim to produce talented people who can create the values that society needs and present healthy values no matter how difficult the situation. To that end, we place emphasis on liberal arts education, educating students to gain a deep understanding of the relationship between nature, society, and humans, and to acquire the ability to discover and solve "problems" on their own.

Soka University's integrated education is a community built by students, faculty, and staff who agree with the founding principles set forth by Daisaku Ikeda. In order to send out into society those who embody Soka University's ideals of peace, culture, and education, each school works closely together and has a recommendation-based admission system to ensure that the integrated education is effective.

In order to ensure that Soka University's integrated education continues to develop and be enriched in the future, an institution has been established to continually review various areas, such as educational programs, school management, and connecting education, and the school continues to make constant reforms in order to become a model case for integrated education not only in Japan but also on a global scale.

Close

Close

emblem

"A symbol of wisdom and soaring high spirits"

Logo

statement

Branding Color

School Colors

Student song

Lyricist: Hiroshi Oki
Composer: Shinichi Kawakami

On the hill of azaleas where red flowers bloom
A white butterfly is dancing with joy over there
The campus is wide and filled with the scent of cherry blossoms.
Young people gather together in a green forest
A fierce blue storm blows through the sky
The white school building stands tall and dignified.
The secret thoughts in my heart as I take up my pen
For whom should I learn the ways of humanity?

If you go to the castle ruins where mulberries are ripening
I can't sink into a dream of prosperity and decline
Thinking of my parents, I look far away
A faint light leaks out here and there
When I look up, I see Venus and her wonderful light.
Burning in my heart is a heart of justice
The falling veil covers the earthworks.
For whom was this fortress of peace built?

Purple floats in the Musashino sky
Breaking the silence, the morning sun rises
If you stand up and realize that you are a student
Fuji in the distance, over the green mountains and the ocean
To you who pursues brave ideals
The peak of Mt. Fuji is dyed pure white and rises
As I walk the glorious path, I ask myself,
For whom do I seek the truth of life?

50th anniversary symbol

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2021, we have now decided on a symbol mark, which we solicited as part of our commemorative activities. This symbol mark is made up of the "statue of an angel and a printer" engraved with the words "What is the purpose of cultivating wisdom?" in the school colors of blue, yellow, and red, and expresses our "pledge" for the next 50 years as we aim to be the highest educational institution for human education.

Use of the 50th anniversary symbol mark

The period for using the symbol mark ended at the end of March 2022.

Related Links

Close