Faith on Campus: How Japanese Universities Welcome All Religions

Japan is often seen as a country where religion quietly blends into everyday life, rather than being overtly visible in public or political spheres. Yet, step onto a university campus, and you’ll quickly notice that questions of faith—Buddhist, Shintō, Christian, Muslim, and others—are very much present.

From centuries-old temples affiliated with universities in Kyoto, to newly built prayer rooms and halal dining options on campuses in Tokyo, Japanese higher education institutions are beginning to rethink how they accommodate the diverse spiritual traditions that enrich student life. Some universities are even establishing chaplaincy services or interfaith spaces to support students' religious and cultural needs.

This post explores how these changes are unfolding and what they mean for international applicants who are interested in practising—or simply learning about—religion while studying in Japan.

1. A Changing Landscape: Why Religion Matters on Campus

Over 300,000 international students currently study in Japan, a figure projected to keep rising as universities compete globally. With that growth comes greater religious diversity. National policy encourages institutions to create inclusive learning environments, and many campuses now treat faith literacy as part of their global profile. In other words, understanding religion is no longer a side issue; it is central to welcoming the world.

Sophia University’s Jesuit Roots

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1913, Sophia University remains one of Japan’s few officially Catholic institutions. Its mission statement highlights “Men and Women for Others” and explicitly encourages inter-religious dialogue on campus.

Waseda’s Intercultural Communication Center (ICC)

Tokyo-based Waseda University’s ICC hosts student-led events on everything from Ramadan to Christmas. The centre’s motto—“Cross, Connect, Create”—frames religion as a living part of culture, making it a natural topic for campus dialogue.

2. Space for All: Prayer Rooms, Dietary Options & Other Facilities

Physical space is the most tangible sign of inclusion. Over the past decade, Japanese universities have quietly renovated old classrooms—or built new ones—to serve the needs of observant students.

Prayer Rooms on the Rise

• Sophia University Prayer Room opens daily for all faiths.
• Chuo University added multi-purpose prayer rooms on two campuses in 2023.
• Rikkyo University launched a dedicated Muslim space complete with qibla markers and ablution facilities.

Halal & Vegetarian Dining

Campus cafeterias increasingly label dishes or offer separate halal counters, an idea first popularised by Sophia’s student co-op and now common at national universities in Osaka and Sendai. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus follow the same logic: serve everyone, learn from difference.

3. Learning Faith: Academic Programs & Research Centres

Religion is not only practised—it is studied. Japanese scholars pioneered Buddhist Studies a century ago and today lead global research on religious diversity, interfaith ethics and the sociology of pilgrimage.

University	Flagship Initiative (Evidence)
Sophia	MAGIS Campus Ministry
University of Tokyo	Dept. of Indian Philosophy & Buddhist Studies
Kyoto University	Division of Philosophy of Religion
International Christian University (ICU)	Philosophy & Religion Major
Ritsumeikan	Religion & Globalisation Research
Chuo	Muslim Societies Project (2025)

These programs attract graduate students from Southeast Asia, Europe and North America who see Japan as a living laboratory for comparative religion.

4. Student Life & Interfaith Dialogue

Beyond classrooms, student clubs host meditation nights, mosque visits and joint holiday celebrations. Sophia’s MAGIS program pairs Catholic volunteers with Buddhist temples for community service. Meanwhile, Waseda ICC runs speed-friending sessions that deliberately mix faith backgrounds (“Hijabs & Haikus” was last semester’s hit).

Students often say that these encounters are their first chance to ask honest questions about someone else’s tradition—an education you cannot get from books alone.

5. Looking Ahead: Opportunities & Challenges

Japanese campuses have made impressive progress, yet challenges remain. Smaller regional universities may lack resources for designated prayer spaces, and faculty training on inter-religious sensitivity is still sporadic. Even so, the trajectory is clear: understanding religion is essential for a genuinely global university.

If you are an international applicant, do not hesitate to ask about campus facilities or academic offerings related to your faith. Most admissions offices will welcome the conversation—and may learn something from you in return.