Temple University Japan has formalized a new institutional partnership with Kawasaki City, establishing collaborative initiatives for community development, English-language education, and student internships across municipal and corporate offices. TUJ President Matthew Wilson and Kawasaki Mayor Norihiko Fukuda signed the agreement at Kawasaki City Hall on October 7, 2026, as reported by Temple University Japan.
Agreement Signed at Kawasaki City Hall
The agreement represents TUJ’s ninth partnership with a municipal government. President Wilson and Mayor Fukuda met to formalize the pact, which aims to use intellectual and physical resources for sustainable community development and people-to-people exchanges. The gown-to-town framework includes support for English classes and intercultural learning activities at public elementary, junior high, and high schools throughout Kawasaki. The university will also offer domestic study abroad programs for local students.
“Temple has been committed to Japan for nearly 45 years, and our partnership with Kawasaki reflects our continued commitment to contributing to the communities where we live, work, and learn,” Wilson stated. The accord also creates professional pathways, providing internship opportunities for students through placements at Kawasaki City Hall, municipal offices, research institutions, and international businesses headquartered in the area.
Hillside Center Opening Precedes Municipal Accord
The municipal partnership follows TUJ’s acquisition and opening of its second major Tokyo-area location, the Hillside Center in Mizonokuchi. Mayor Fukuda and a municipal delegation attended the grand opening ceremony on September 4, where the mayor delivered a keynote address welcoming the academic center to the community. The 7,000-square-meter facility provides an elevated first-year experience and expanded access to General Education courses for incoming students.
TUJ’s physical expansion aligns with record enrollment figures. In fall 2026, the branch campus reported degree-seeking student enrollment exceeding 4,200 for the first time, representing more than 100 countries and regions. Undergraduate enrollment has more than tripled over the past five years amid rising admissions competitiveness.
Expansion Across Japanese Municipalities
Kawasaki marks Temple’s fourth partnership with a city, following agreements with Tokyo’s Setagaya in December 2022, Minato in May 2006, and Kyoto in February 2025. At the prefectural level, the institution maintains formal pacts with Kyoto, Ehime, Nagasaki, and Yamanashi, alongside an active collaborative agreement with the Osaka Board of Education.
Established in 1982, TUJ operates as the oldest and largest foreign university branch campus in Japan. In 2005, it became the first institution to receive official designation as a Foreign University, Japan Campus, from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
What Academic Support Does TUJ Provide in Kawasaki?
What specific academic support does TUJ provide to local Kawasaki schools?
TUJ provides direct support for English classes and facilitates intercultural learning activities across public elementary, junior high, and high schools in Kawasaki City.
Where is the Hillside Center located and how large is the facility?
The Hillside Center is a 7,000-square-meter academic facility located in Mizonokuchi, Kawasaki, serving as Temple University Japan’s second major Tokyo-area location.
How many municipal and prefectural agreements does TUJ maintain in Japan?
Kawasaki is Temple’s fourth municipal-level partnership, joining agreements with Setagaya, Minato, and Kyoto, alongside prefectural pacts with Kyoto, Ehime, Nagasaki, and Yamanashi.
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