History

The history of Aoyama Gakuin can be traced back to three schools founded by missionaries sent to Japan by the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States: the Girls' Elementary School opened in Azabu in 1874 by Dora E. Schoonmaker, the Kokyo School opened in Tsukiji by Julius Soper in 1878, and the Biken Seminary opened in Yokohama by Robert S. McCrae in 1879.
Aoyama Gakuin University was founded in 1949 as a new university based on Aoyama Gakuin, and will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2019. While cherishing its traditions, the university is constantly transforming itself in pursuit of what it should be as a comprehensive university by further improving its global education and research environment and promoting efforts to cultivate human resources who can contribute to the world.

Graduate School

Faculty Department

Former Presidents

History of Aoyama Gakuin

Aoyama Gakuin is one of the oldest schools in Japan, with a history of 149 years, originating from three schools founded by missionaries sent to Japan by the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, and has always adhered to Christian education. There have been many hardships along the way, but thanks to the efforts of the faculty, staff and other related parties, the school has been able to develop to the level it is today. In 1927, the girls' and boys' schools were merged, and the foundation of the current Aoyama Gakuin was laid. Then, in 1949, shortly after the war, the university was established, and the school has now become a comprehensive institution with everything from kindergarten to graduate school.