Official emblem of Rissho University

Rissho University

Tokyo, Japan Founded 1904

Overview

English Name: Rissho University
Local Name: 立正大学
Founded: 1904
Control Type: Private
Religious Affiliation: Buddhism
Motto: Seek truth and show sincerity
Rissho University academic and student spaces
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Founded in 1924, the Rissho University (Rissho Daigaku) is a private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large metropolis of Tokyo (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants).

Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Rissho University is a large-sized coeducational Japanese higher education institution formally affiliated with the Buddhist religion. Rissho University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 100-year-old Japanese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

Rissho University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Looking to reach Rissho University? Address, contact details, and online links below. For finance and tuition payment queries, the bursar or finance office is typically a separate contact point.

Address: 4-2-16 Osaki Shinagawa-ku
Postal Code: 141-8602
Other Sites: Also Kumagaya Campus and Research Institutes
Map:
Phone: +81 (3) 3492 2681
Fax: +81 (3) 5487 3347
Social Media:

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for Rissho University: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.

Academic Year: April to January (April-July; September-January)
Accrediting Agency: Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA)
Admission Requirements: Graduation from high school or equivalent or foreign equivalent, and entrance examination
Student Enrollment: 10
Campus Setting: Urban

Academic Structures

Rissho University's internal academic organisation — faculties, schools, and constituent units — is broken down below. Each unit handles a specific subject cluster and houses its own programmes and faculty.

Unit 15 items
  • Faculty of Buddhist Studies
  • Faculty of Business Administration
  • Faculty of Economics
  • Faculty of Geo-Environmental Science
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Letters
  • Faculty of Psychology
  • Faculty of Social Welfare
  • Graduate School of Business Administration
  • Graduate School of Economics
  • Graduate School of Geo-Environmental Science
  • Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology
  • Graduate School of Law
  • Graduate School of Psychology
  • Graduate School of Social Welfare

Degrees

Rissho University's study routes by degree level. Professional degrees (LLB, MD, BPharm) have their own conventions distinct from purely academic awards.

Other 12 programs
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Geography
  • History
  • Law
  • Psychology
  • Social Welfare
  • Sociology

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

Nichiren Buddhist Studies (Department/Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Asian Religious Studies
Buddhist Studies (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Asian Religious Studies
Business Administration (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Economics (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Economics

Common Career Paths

  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Geo-Environmental Science (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Environmental Management
  • Geography

Common Career Paths

  • Environmental Consultant
  • Sustainability Officer
  • Climate Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Letters (Faculty) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • History
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Sociology
Psychology (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychology

Common Career Paths

  • Psychologist
  • Counsellor
  • Clinical Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Social Welfare (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Social Welfare
  • Welfare and Protective Services
Graduate Studies (Graduate School) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Geography
  • History
  • Law
  • Literature
  • Psychology
  • Social Welfare
  • Sociology

Programs Offered

Rissho University's programme list, with search and degree-level grouping. Search matches programme names; if you don't see your subject, check the divisions section to locate the relevant faculty.

Bachelor's Degree

9 programmes

Rissho University delivers 9 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies 仏教学部 Religious Studies
Faculty of Data Science データサイエンス学部 Data Science & Analytics
Faculty of Geo-Environmental Science 地球環境科学部 Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Social Welfare 社会福祉学部 Social Work
Faculty of Psychology 心理学部 Psychology
Faculty of Law 法学部 Law
Faculty of Business Administration 経営学部 Business Administration
Faculty of Economics 経済学部 Economics
Faculty of Letters 文学部 Humanities & Cultural Studies

Master's Degree

7 programmes

Rissho University's 7 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.

Graduate School of Psychology 心理学研究科 Psychology
Graduate School of Geo-Environmental Science 地球環境科学研究科 Environmental Sciences
Graduate School of Social Welfare 社会福祉学研究科 Social Work
Graduate School of Business Administration 経営学研究科 Business Administration
Graduate School of Law 法学研究科 Law
Graduate School of Economics 経済学研究科 Economics
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology 文学研究科 Social & Cultural Studies

Doctorate

4 programmes

At the highest level, Rissho University runs 4 programmes. These doctoral programmes are built around a sustained research project rather than taught coursework.

Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology 文学研究科 Social & Cultural Studies
Graduate School of Geo-Environmental Science 地球環境科学研究科 Environmental Sciences
Graduate School of Social Welfare 社会福祉学研究科 Social Work
Graduate School of Economics 経済学研究科 Economics

How to apply to Rissho University

A practical five-step guide to applying to Rissho University, from programme research through submission and follow-up.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Rissho University offers 20 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Each programme at Rissho University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Apply directly via Rissho University's online portal at www.ris.ac.jp. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +81 (3) 3492 2681. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rissho University

A short Q&A covering Rissho University's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.

In what year was Rissho University established?

Rissho University was founded in 1904 (approximately 122 years ago).

In which city is Rissho University?

Rissho University is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Is Rissho University public or private?

Rissho University is a private institution.

How many students study at Rissho University?

Rissho University has approximately 10,000-14,999 students.

What is Rissho University's religious tradition?

Rissho University is associated with Buddhism.

How many faculties does Rissho University have?

The institution comprises 15 academic units.

Who recognises Rissho University?

Rissho University is accredited by Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA).

Where can I learn more about Rissho University?

You can find Rissho University online at www.ris.ac.jp.

Top-Ranked Universities in Japan

The institutions topping Japan's rankings give national context for Rissho University. Context matters because employer perception in Japan often correlates with national rankings.

Other Japanese Universities Affiliated with Buddhism

Religious dress code expectations, where they exist, are typically consistent across Buddhism institutions. The peers below often share the same norms found at Rissho University.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Nearby institutions to Rissho University often share sports, residence, and student-life facilities through regional consortia. The shared infrastructure can shape your day-to-day experience meaningfully.

Where Else to Study Environmental Sciences

Programme delivery mode varies across the Environmental Sciences programmes listed — online, hybrid, and in-person formats differ in tuition, schedule flexibility, and credential recognition across borders.

Universities Often Compared with Rissho University

Comparable peer metrics — selectivity, yield, faculty awards — give a fuller picture than headline rankings alone. The universities below cluster around Rissho University on most of these signals.

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