International Pacific University

What International Pacific University does

International Pacific University (IPU) is a private Japanese university operated by Gakko Hojin Soshigakuen (Educational Corporation Soshi Gakuen), with main campuses in Okayama City and Ichikawa City (Tokyo Campus in Chiba), plus a New Zealand study-abroad facility. It offers eight undergraduate departments spanning Modern Business Studies, Child Development, Education, Competitive Sports Science, Physical Education, Health Science (Okayama main campus), and International Economics and Management (Tokyo Campus), with a Design Management Department launching in 2027. The university also operates a graduate School of Sports Science and a distance education division covering Education and Modern Business programs. Its identity is anchored in sports science and teacher-training outcomes, supported by Tadao Ando-designed facilities (DISCOVERY, INSPIRE, TOPGUN, PHILOSOPHIA, HARMONY) and a consistent track record of top-tier employment placements, particularly in police officer roles (national top 10 for six consecutive years) and judo rehabilitation practitioner licensing (top 3 in Western Japan for six consecutive years).

The business model is tuition-based, with revenue derived from undergraduate, graduate, and correspondence program enrollment fees, supplemented by government subsidies and ecosystem activities. IPU recruits prospective students through open campus events at both Okayama and Tokyo campuses, regional 'Summer Study Cafe' events in Fukuoka and Kokura, digital brochures, and an active social media presence (LINE, Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok, Facebook). Distribution is overwhelmingly domestic Japan-focused, with international activity limited to the New Zealand exchange campus. Beyond direct education services, IPU generates community value and brand strength through extensive municipal partnerships — including fire defense training with Okayama Prefecture, disaster preparedness drills with Akaishi City, youth athletics with Waki Town, and an Okayama City-recognized free school (IPU Bridge) operated by student group Awe Universe.

IPU is privately held under Soshi Gakuen, not publicly traded, and shows no external venture or private equity backing. It holds Japan Institution for Higher Education Evaluation accreditation and a Ministry of Education-certified special-needs teacher license program. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the leadership team is led by President 大橋節子 (Ohashi Setsuko) with Vice President 真田久 (Sanada Hisashi) and an affiliated Kanyu Okazaki serving in the chairman capacity at the parent Soshi Gakuen level.

Name

International Pacific University

Legal name

International Pacific University

Website

https://ipu-japan.ac.jp

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Pacific University is a private Japanese university operating campuses in Okayama, Tokyo (Ichikawa), and New Zealand, serving high school graduates and working adults through eight undergraduate departments, a graduate School of Sports Science, and distance education programs in education and business management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ), Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• Sports science education
• Teacher training programs
• Distance learning courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Okayama City (Seto-cho, Higashi-ku)

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: As a private university, IPU generates revenue primarily through tuition fees from enrolled undergraduate and graduate students across its on-campus and correspondence education programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

International Pacific University is a private Japanese university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight academic departments: Education, Physical Education, Competitive Sports Science, Health Science, Modern Business Studies, Child Development, International Economics and Management, and Design Management (opening 2027). Programs are delivered through four channels: on-campus instruction at the Okayama main campus and Tokyo Campus, a study-abroad campus in New Zealand, and a correspondence/distance education program for working adults.

Product overview

International Pacific University (IPU) operates as a comprehensive multi-campus university with undergraduate and graduate programs across sports science, education, business, and health sciences. The university offers 8 undergraduate departments at its Okayama main campus including Modern Business Studies, Child Development, Education, Competitive Sports Science, Physical Education, and Health Science, plus two programs at its Tokyo Campus (International Economics and Management, and the new Design Management launching 2027). Additional offerings include graduate programs in sports science, distance education programs, and a dedicated sports science research facility. The institution emphasizes practical education with strong career outcomes, particularly in sports-related fields and teacher training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IPU Tokyo: Tokyo Campus of International Pacific University offering International Economics and Management and Design Management programs.
• IPU東京キャンパス
• IPU体育会

Products and services

• Education Department (教育学部) Undergraduate teacher-training program preparing students for teaching careers in Japanese schools.
• Competitive Sports Science Department (競技スポーツ科学部) Undergraduate program combining competitive athletics with sports science, leveraging the TOPGUN training facility and INSPIRE research facility to develop elite athletes and sports professionals.
• Physical Education Department (体育学部) Undergraduate program focused on physical education and human movement studies.
• Health Science Department (健康科学部) Undergraduate program covering health science with applications in sports, medical, and wellness fields.
• Modern Business Studies Department (現代ビジネス学部) Undergraduate program providing business studies education for students pursuing business and management careers.
• Child Development Department (子ども育成学部) Undergraduate program focused on child development and early childhood education careers.
• International Economics and Management Department (国際経済経営学部) Undergraduate program in international economics and management preparing students for global business careers.
• Design Management Department (デザインマネジメント学部) Undergraduate program in design management planned to open in 2027.
• Graduate School of Sports Science (大学院) Graduate-level programs focused on sports science research.
• Distance Education Programs (通信教育課程) Correspondence/distance learning undergraduate programs enabling working adults to earn degrees remotely.
• Tokyo Campus Programs (東京キャンパス) Tokyo-based campus delivering select IPU programs in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
• New Zealand Study Abroad Program (ニュージーランドキャンパス) Study-abroad campus program in New Zealand enabling IPU students to complete part of their studies abroad.

Quantifiable outcome

• Police officer employment rankings: national top 10 for 6 consecutive years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 一般社团法人日本金融教育支援机构 (General Incorporated Association Japan Financial Education Support Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2026IPU's Modern Business Management Department collaborates with this organization as co-host of the FES Contest financial education workshop for middle and high school students. Professor Oike serves as a teacher ambassador for the organization, combining 'output-based practical education' with 'financial education for expanding life choices'.
• 株式会社中国銀行 (Chugoku Bank)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2026Chugoku Bank adopted the 'Fuji-scented Bath Salt' product developed collaboratively by IPU students, Waki Kantan High School, Wajima High School, Waki Town, and local companies as a novelty item distributed across all bank branches, providing broad marketing visibility for the university.
• 冈山县 (Okayama Prefecture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOkayama Prefecture and IPU collaborate on the Fire Defense Support Team program (爽志会消防応援隊), with 30 students certified as Okayama Prefecture Fire Defense Support Team members annually. The university also partners with Okayama Prefecture on disaster preparedness drills.
• 赤磐市 (Akaishi City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkaishi City and IPU conducted a disaster preparedness drill in July 2026, using the university as a 'backup headquarters' in case the city hall becomes unusable during a large-scale disaster. The city also partners with IPU on fire defense activities.
• 和气町 (Waki Town)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaki Town collaborates with IPU on the IPU Sports Link regional project, including the Waki Town Children's Athletics Class planned for October with approximately 170 participants from three local elementary schools.
• 赤穗市PTA联合会 (Ako City PTA Federation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAko City PTA Federation organized a sports experience and exchange workshop in June 2026, with IPU track and field club and dance club students serving as instructors for approximately 100 local elementary and middle school students.
• 大学コンソーシアム冈山 (University Consortium Okayama)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPU participates in the University Consortium Okayama's Kibi Creation College (吉備創生カレッジ) program, offering public lectures and lifelong learning programs as part of regional community engagement.
• 冈山县立和气闲谷高等学校 (Okayama Prefectural Waki Kantan High School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaki Kantan High School and IPU collaborated on the 'Fuji-scented Bath Salt' product development for Noto disaster recovery, alongside Wajima High School, Waki Town, and regional companies. The project combined the high school's 'Shizutani Gaku' inquiry-based learning with IPU student business management expertise.
• 石川县立轮岛高等学校 (Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima High School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWajima High School in the Noto Peninsula disaster area partnered with IPU on the 'Fuji-scented Bath Salt' product for regional revitalization and disaster recovery support. Proceeds from sales support Wajima High School activities.
• 株式会社山博 (Yamahaku Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional company that collaborated with IPU on the 'Fuji-scented Bath Salt' product development for Noto disaster recovery support.
• 和气鵜饲养谷温泉 (Waki Ukai Valley Hot Spring)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hot spring business that partnered with IPU on the 'Fuji-scented Bath Salt' collaborative product development for regional revitalization.
• 冈山市教育委员会 (Okayama City Board of Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Okayama City Board of Education approved the registration of 'IPU Bridge,' a free school operated by IPU student group Awe Universe, as a recognized facility under the city's subsidy program for truancy support. Students attending IPU Bridge receive half their tuition subsidized by the city.
• 财团法人桥本财团 (Hashimoto Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hashimoto Foundation awarded a welfare grant to IPU student group Awe Universe to support its project combining truancy support with regional revitalization through agricultural activities on idle farmland in the Sasaoka area.
• 冈山站前全球校园 (Okayama Ekimae Global Campus)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe FES Contest financial education workshop is held at the 'Connected' concept Okayama Ekimae Global Campus venue, serving as the collaborative space for university, regional, and student engagement.
• 株式会社クラビズ (Kurabiz Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKurabiz Co., Ltd. (based in Kurashiki) designed product labels for the potato sales initiative, converting artwork created by children at IPU Bridge free school into professional label designs.
• 学校法人创志学园 (Educational Corporation Soshi Gakuen Group)coreOthersIPU is operated by Educational Corporation Soshi Gakuen (学校法人創志学園), which also operates affiliated schools including Clark Memorial International High School (クラーク記念国際高等学校) and Soshi Gakuen (創志学園).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Waseda University: Elite private Japanese university with extensive sports clubs, multi-campus model, and significant international student population. Broader incumbent peer that IPU competes against at the high end of private university selection in Japan.
• Ritsumeikan University: Major Japanese private university with extensive international exchange programs, sports clubs, and multi-campus footprint. Comparable on multi-campus + sports + international model but at significantly larger scale.
• Tsukuba University (University of Tsukuba): National university with prominent sports science graduate programs and Olympic-affiliated research. Comparable on the sports-science research dimension but operates as a much larger public institution.

Regional players

• Sapporo University: Private Japanese university with comprehensive faculties and strong sports science programs. Comparable on multi-faculty private university positioning but operates in a different regional market (Hokkaido vs. IPU's Chugoku/Kanto).
• Okayama University of Science: Private science-focused university also based in Okayama Prefecture, competing with IPU for the same regional high school student pool and partnerships. Direct regional peer in the same geographic market.
• Kibi International University: Private university in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, focused on social welfare and education. Competes with IPU for regional Okayama students in education-adjacent programs.

Direct peers

• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU): Private Japanese university with a multi-campus model (Beppu + international), high international student population (~50%), and English-track programs. Directly comparable to IPU on multi-campus and international positioning, though APU operates at much larger scale.
• Niigata University of Health and Welfare: Private Japanese university focused on health sciences and rehabilitation, including judo rehabilitation practitioner training. Directly comparable to IPU on health science / judo rehabilitation program offerings.
• J.F. Oberlin University: Private Japanese university in Hachioji with strong international exchange programs and multi-disciplinary faculties including sports and wellness. Comparable to IPU on private university positioning and international study-abroad offerings.
• Nippon Sport Science University: Japan's leading private university dedicated to sport and physical education with strong athletic programs and competitive sports clubs. Closest direct peer to IPU on sports-science focus and athletic differentiation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ipu_official_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVh3FQecZXhb4ZZ5oqGNOEA
• Facebookfacebook.com/61573851382478
• Instagraminstagram.com/ipu_japan
• TikToktiktok.com/@ipu_japan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-pacific-university

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Pacific University