Temple University Japan (TUJ) has a long history of fostering community relations in Japan, building bridges between its diverse students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. Temple University Japan works closely with local governments, schools, community organizations and residents to promote cross-cultural understanding, international education, and opportunities for shared learning and growth.

Comprehensive Collaboration Agreements with Local Governments

Temple University Japan has strengthened its visibility and recognition in Japan by entering into formal collaboration agreements with municipal and prefectural governments. These agreements expand opportunities for TUJ students and staff to engage with local communities through courses, events, joint research and internships.

Prefectural-Level Agreements

At the prefectural level, TUJ has established key partnerships to support international education, public teacher training and human resource development across Japan:

• Yamanashi Prefecture (Signed on December 13, 2022): TUJ's first-ever comprehensive agreement with a prefectural government, laying the groundwork to enhance international education opportunities in Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Nagasaki Prefecture (Signed on March 8, 2024): A partnership agreement aimed at supporting international education and exploration of industry collaborations in tourism and language learning.
• Ehime Prefecture (Signed on March 26, 2024): The agreement focused on strengthening the prefecture's English language capacity and expanding teacher development seminars.
• Osaka Prefectural Board of Education (Signed on November 25, 2024): An agreement to expand international opportunities for Osaka high school students as well as strengthening English-language teacher training.
• Kyoto Prefecture (Signed on February 14, 2025): A strategic partnership established alongside the opening of the TUJ Kyoto to support international engagement and education.

Municipal-Level Agreements

At the municipal level, TUJ maintains active city partnerships to promote localized cultural, linguistic, and educational exchange:

• Minato City, Tokyo (Signed on May 2006): The university's first-ever collaborative agreement, launching various grassroots contribution programs in the area where the campus was previously located.
• Setagaya City, Tokyo (Signed on December 6, 2022): Following TUJ's physical campus relocation to Sangenjaya in August 2019, this formal cooperation agreement was signed to deepen local engagement, school programs and citizen exchanges.
• Kyoto City, Kyoto (Signed on February 14, 2025): Established in tandem with the TUJ Kyoto, representing the university's third municipal agreement and marking a major step in TUJ's dual-hub strategy.
• Kawasaki City, Kanagawa (Signed on October 7, 2026): Upon the opening of the Hillside Center, we entered into an agreement with the host city to promote English and international understanding, volunteerism and community engagement, as well as disaster prevention.

Temple University Japan's community relations activities operate on a dual-hub model centered around Tokyo and Kyoto, enabling the university to expand lifelong learning opportunities, cross-cultural exchange, and international education nationally.

The TUJ Partnership Scholarship and High School Programs

To support regional high school students in taking their first steps toward a global education, TUJ established the "TUJ Partnership Scholarship" based on its prefectural agreements. This scholarship is awarded to one selected high school student from Yamanashi, Nagasaki, Ehime and Kyoto prefectures entering TUJ's undergraduate program, providing a 50% tuition waiver for their first two semesters of study.

Beyond financial aid, TUJ hosts short-term domestic study programs at its Tokyo and Kyoto locations for high school students from the prefectures of Yamanashi, Nagasaki and Ehime giving them direct experience with English-only environments and international peers. In Nagasaki, TUJ is actively discussing the potential of long-term tourism industry internships to connect regional hospitality sectors with global student talent. Additionally, in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, TUJ hosted English-language internships and virtual study abroad programs in 2024, allowing public high school students to interact virtually with international classmates and build early career-ready skillsets.

Teacher Professional Development and Educational Support

TUJ is dedicated to enhancing local English language education by collaborating with local boards of education to train local teachers and Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). For example, in Ehime Prefecture, TUJ conducted professional development skill-up seminars that drew more than 200 educators. Under its agreement with the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education, TUJ supports teacher training and offers educational opportunities to high school students.

Active Community Engagement and Grassroots Volunteerism

Through these municipal and regional partnerships, TUJ students, faculty, and administrative staff actively participate in academic programs, public lectures, and hands-on community service. These grassroots initiatives include:

• Neighborhood Clean-up Projects: Students, faculty, and staff regularly participate in keeping local streets and areas clean, fostering neighborhood pride and active stewardship.
• Local Festivals & Cultural Exchange: TUJ groups participate directly in local community festivals, establishing a warm, neighborly presence and facilitating natural cross-cultural interactions.
• Library Resource Sharing: To act as a strong educational resource and a good neighbor, TUJ opens its English-language library resources and academic collections to local residents, particularly to residents of Setagaya City.

Educational Initiatives for Children and Local Youth

Fostering international understanding in children and youth is a core priority of TUJ's regional partnership model. The university conducts several targeted youth initiatives:

• Summer English Language Programs: Open to local elementary, middle, and high school students, these immersive summer courses allow youth to practice their linguistic skills in an engaging, English-only setting.
• School Assistant Dispatches: TUJ dispatches students and staff as assistants to cross-cultural experience classes in local public schools, introducing world cultures and global traditions to young classrooms.

Future Vision: Fostering Global Leadership and Regional Development

As an American university with a highly diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff representing dozens of countries, TUJ continues to pioneer initiatives that link the classroom with the local community. By leveraging its unique international character and academic excellence, TUJ is committed to driving local tourism, urban revitalization, and multicultural coexistence.

Our initiatives focus on discovering new regional attractions, sharing local charm through global social media outreach, offering proposals for community development, providing advice on multicultural inclusion, and supporting the long-term settlement of international residents. Through these collaborative efforts, TUJ aims to revitalize regional economies, engage Japanese residents with global perspectives, and cultivate the next generation of leaders who will build lasting bridges across cultures.