Akita Prefectural University: Study in Japan Guide for International Students

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a university that blends hands-on engineering, applied life sciences, and a safe, affordable lifestyle? Akita Prefectural University (APU) could be your sweet spot. With four campuses across Akita Prefecture—including a dedicated Institute of Wood Technology in Noshiro—APU offers small-group teaching, industry-connected labs, and a practical route to jobs in manufacturing, IT, architecture, food tech, forestry, and more. This guide covers quick facts, strengths, student life, climate and costs, international options, and career outcomes to help you decide whether APU fits your goals.

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	Public (Prefectural)
Total Students	1,854 (as of May 1, 2024; source: JPCUP profile)
Campuses	Main campuses: Akita (Tsunogoro), Honjo (Yurihonjō), Ōgata; plus Noshiro (Institute of Wood Technology). Source: JPCUP
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Systems Science & Technology; Faculty of Bioresource Sciences; Graduate Schools (Systems Science & Technology; Bioresource Sciences). Sources: Official overview (EN) / JPCUP
Tuition Fees	Undergraduate tuition ¥535,800/year; admission fee ¥282,000 (standard public‑university rates; confirm latest on official page: Tuition & fees (JP)). Graduate programs follow comparable public rates.
Gender Ratio	Approx. 80% male / 20% female (engineering‑heavy profile; see THE profile and faculty composition on JPCUP).
Intl‑Student %	~0.5% (10 of 1,854). Source: JPCUP
Students per Staff	≈9.8 (1,854 students / 190 full‑time faculty). Source: JPCUP

Campus Maps

Mission, History & Founding Story

Akita Prefectural University (APU) was created to deliver practical, industry-relevant higher education that fuels regional innovation in Japan’s north. Launched in 1998–1999 and reorganized as a public university corporation in 2006, APU integrates two complementary strengths: engineering and systems thinking on one side, and agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences on the other. This blend reflects Akita’s identity—forests, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy—all requiring engineers and scientists who can work across disciplines.

Key milestones include the establishment of graduate schools in Systems Science & Technology (2002) and Bioresource Sciences (2003) and, more recently, reorganizations that strengthened mechatronics, information/computer science, and integrated systems engineering. In 2021, APU launched the Agri‑Innovation Education & Research Center to accelerate R&D and human capital for smarter, more resilient agriculture. History highlights (EN) · Agri‑Innovation Center (JP)

Today APU spans four locations. The Akita, Honjo (Yurihonjō), and Ōgata campuses cover classroom teaching and core labs, while the Institute of Wood Technology (Noshiro) serves as a specialized hub for advanced timber science and forest‑products engineering. Across these sites, APU emphasizes “intensive small‑group instruction,” encouraging face time with professors and close mentoring throughout your studies. Official overview (EN) · JPCUP profile

Key Strengths & Unique Features

1) Agri‑Innovation Education & Research Center

Akita is one of Japan’s breadbaskets, so APU’s Agri‑Innovation Center (AIC) focuses on precision agriculture, food systems, and regional revitalization. Students in Bioresource Sciences benefit from collaborative projects with farms, local government, and companies—learning how to apply data, sensors, and biotechnology to real‑world production and supply chains. Explore the center’s role and initiatives here: AIC overview (JP).

2) Institute of Wood Technology (Noshiro) — Flagship Strength

Akita is renowned for cedar and timber industries. APU’s Institute of Wood Technology (IWT) in Noshiro is a dedicated research and education hub for advanced wood processing, fire‑resistant timber components, and sustainable forest‑products engineering—an excellent match for students interested in green construction and circular bioeconomy. See IWT’s English pages here: IWT (EN). (Japanese top page also available.)

3) Robotics & Mechatronics — Hands‑On Engineering

In the Faculty of Systems Science & Technology, APU runs active labs in robotics, intelligent mechatronics, and control systems—often collaborating with regional manufacturers. Students gain design‑build‑test experience on real hardware, and many present at conferences or secure internships in Tohoku’s manufacturing corridor. Lab page (EN): Robotics Laboratory (EN). Faculty and program overviews (EN): Introduction to faculties.

4) Small‑Group Teaching & Accessible Faculty

With roughly 1,800–1,900 students and ~190 full‑time faculty, the student‑to‑staff ratio is around 10:1. That translates to frequent interaction, easier access to lab equipment, and strong supervision for capstones and theses. JPCUP data.

5) Practical Career Alignment (Manufacturing, Food, Forestry, Energy)

APU’s programs mirror regional industry, so internships and job pathways tend to be practical and well‑defined (mechanical/electrical, construction/environment, IT, agribusiness, food science, forest products). See department introductions (EN): Faculty overview and recent graduate outcomes (JP) in the Career section below.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

APU has a variety of circles (student clubs) from sports to culture. These groups welcome overseas students who want to practice Japanese and make friends outside class. Details (JP): Clubs & activities.

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

For international exchange and paperwork, contact the relevant faculty offices (EN contact list): International Academic Exchange (contacts). Student counseling services are available on each campus (JP): Counseling (Honjo campus) · Counseling (Akita campus).

Language‑Exchange & Local Community Support

The Akita International Association (AIA) runs multilingual consultation and community programs that help residents settle life issues (visa questions, healthcare, language, etc.). It’s a great local resource beyond campus: AIA consultation (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

APU maintains inter‑university and department‑level agreements with partners across Asia, North America, and Europe (e.g., in Taiwan, China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the U.S., Hungary, etc.). If you’re an APU student looking to go abroad, start with the official list here (JP): Overseas Partner Universities (official list). If you’re coming to APU from overseas for short‑term study or exchange, see the university’s English pages: International exchange (EN).

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Akita Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan, so winters are snowy and summers are warm and humid. Expect average winter highs around 2–4 °C and lows around −4 to −1 °C, while summer highs climb into the upper‑20s °C with nights around ~20 °C. For recent official monthly climate data (multi‑year series), see the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Akita station records: JMA monthly data.

Cost of living in Akita City is generally lower than Tokyo and other megacities. Benchmark your budget here: Numbeo – Cost of Living (Akita). Safety is good by international standards; you can also check crowd‑sourced indicators: Numbeo – Crime Index (Akita).

International Student Statistics

APU is a compact, engineering‑and‑agri‑focused public university; international enrollment is still modest. Latest snapshot: about 10 international students out of 1,854 total (~0.5%). While small, this can be an advantage—support offices know students by name and can help you navigate academics and daily life. Source: JPCUP institutional profile.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Outcomes are solid in both the Faculty of Systems Science & Technology and the Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, with many graduates heading to manufacturers (electronics, machinery, automotive, construction), IT firms, and public agencies, plus food and biotech companies. See official outcomes by department and overall summaries (JP): Undergraduate department outcomes · Faculty‑level results · FY2023 Grad School outcomes · FY2024 Grad School outcomes. A quick English snapshot of employers also appears in the university’s English pamphlet (Page 19): APU English Pamphlet – Careers.