Why was ICU established?

From the early years of the twentieth century, Christians in both Japan and North America prayed for the establishment of a Christian university in Japan. Their long-cherished dream finally came to fruition after the end of World War II. Reflecting on the catastrophe of war, and with strong feelings of responsibility to future generations, seeking to fulfill a committee charged with the mission to establish ICU was founded.

The official decision to establish the International Christian University was taken by the University Organization Council. These leaders of the Christian church in Japan and North America held a meeting at the YMCA Tozanso in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture on June 15, 1949. The first page was thus written in the history of ICU, nourished by the wishes and prayers of those seeking to transform Japan into a country open to the world seeking to nurture individuals who can contribute actively to a peaceful future for humankind.

A spacious campus in the Musashino district of suburban Tokyo was purchased with donations from numerous companies, associations, and individuals, both Christians and non-Christian alike, living in Japan and overseas. The total value of these donations amounted to 160 million yen.

The fact that ICU could attract such generosity at a time when Japan was just beginning to recover from the war is testament to the value that Japanese people at the time placed on liberty and human rights, and their passion to cultivate individuals to serve for the peaceful development of human society. That same passion is alive and well in ICU today.