Sophia Research Organization
Research Support Organization
Research Institutes Division
Project Research Division
Intra-University Research Division
Academic Research Ethics
Measures Against the Unauthorized Use of Research Funds
Research Institutes Division includes 10 research institutes with about 340 researchers (as of July 1, 2009).
The research institutes have compiled important collections of research materials and trained large numbers of scholars,
as well as making contributions to society through the sponsorship of public lectures and other events.
Although each institute has its own mission statement and research agenda, the institutes share a common commitment to achieving the highest standards of research, and making their research results available to both the international academic community and the public at large. Research collections of all of the Institutes are open to scholars from other universities. To achieve these common objectives, the research institutes have agreed on the following activities:
(1) Promotion of joint research projects
(2) Hosting of lectures, seminars, symposia and the like
(3) Providing lectures for the public
(4) Collection and lending of materials in the relevant fields
(5) Publication of scholarly magazines and academic books
(6) Support of young researchers
(7) Activities designed to educate the general public and benefit society
Institute for Christian Culture
Founded in 1969, this institute underwent reorganization in 1997. Besides carrying out wide-ranging research into many aspects of Christianity including its cultural heritage and development, this institute focuses on specialized research into a variety of eastern religions.
Institute of Medieval Thought
Established in 1976, this institute is deeply rooted in Sophia's Christian culture and spirit, and plays a core role in Japan in promoting the study of European Medieval philosophy and theology.
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For Institute of Medieval Thought website
Iberoamerican Institute
Established in 1964, the Iberoamerican Institute is primarily involved in the promotion of research into Central and South American affairs.
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For Iberoamerican Institute website
Linguistic Institute for International CommunicationFocusing on international exchange related to foreign language education and linguistic research carried out in Japan, this institute was established in 1978 to promote East-West cultural exchanges and engage in research on a host of linguistic themes.
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For Linguistic Institute for International Communication website
Institute of Global Concern(IGC)
Set up in 2010, the IGC conducts interdisciplinary studies of diverse global problems to promote social justices in the world, and attempts to use its findings as a basis for practical activities.
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For IGC website
Institute of Comparative Culture
This institute was founded in 1981 to promote research and learning in comparative culture. Research activities and publications are all in English to promote cooperation and exchange between Sophia and the larger academic world. The ICC organizes joint comparative and interdisciplinary research projects by members and holds seminars and lectures related to the research activities of members. Publications of the ICC are online at the ICC website.
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For ICC website
European Institute
The Institute works to promote general and academic research of European history, society, languages and cultures so as to contribute to the development of European studies.
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For European Institute website
Institute of Asian Cultures
Founded in 1982, the Institute of Asian Cultures is devoted to the study of various aspects of traditional cultures throughout Asia, with a special focus on Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
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For Institute of Asian Cultures
Institute of American and Canadian Studies
This institute was founded in 1987 to examine the history, politics and society of the United States and Canada in an integrated fashion.
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For Institute of American and Canadian Studies website
Institute for Studies of the Global Environment
In response to the increasing interest in environment-related fields, this institute was set up in 1999 to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary and multifaceted research into global environmental issues.
