What Kibi International University does

Kibi International University (吉備国際大学) is a private Japanese university established in 1990 and operated by the school corporation Junsei Gakuen (順正学園). The institution delivers undergraduate, graduate, and distance-learning programs across four campuses in Okayama and Hyogo prefectures: Takahashi (main campus, housing Social Sciences, Nursing, Human Sciences, Animation, and Liberal Arts), Minamiawaji (agriculture), Okayama (Foreign Languages), and Okayama Ekimae (corporate headquarters and Graduate School of International Cooperation). Faculties span social sciences, healthcare (nursing, physical/occupational therapy), psychology, agriculture, marine and fishery sciences, animation, and foreign languages. Graduate programs include on-site offerings in sociology, health sciences, psychology, and regional agricultural studies, plus three distance-learning tracks (Joint International Cooperation Research, Health Sciences, Psychology) delivered via Microsoft Teams and synchronous video.

The university runs a portfolio of student-facing platforms and services: Universal Passport (proprietary student portal for course registration, grades, attendance), Kiui Drill (self-study tool), an online Certificate Issuance Service with POPITA electronic watermark authentication, Teaching Profession Center, Career Support Center, Learning Support Center, and Health Management Center. It also publishes a MEXT-certified Math, Data Science, and AI Education Program available to all undergraduates. Internationalization is a stated priority, with exchange agreements covering 93 universities across 29 countries and dedicated recruitment offices in Korea and China.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and enrollment fees from undergraduate and graduate students across daytime and distance-learning programs, supplemented by scholarship partnerships with Takahashi City and Minamiawaji City. Pricing is subscription-based on an annual billing cycle, with program-specific tuition (e.g., 365,000-415,000 yen per semester for graduate programs) and multiple scholarship tiers (up to 1 million yen for the Ito Scholarship). The university is not publicly traded and discloses no standalone revenue figures.

Name

Kibi International University

Legal name

吉備国際大学 (Kibi International University)

Website

https://kiui.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kibi International University is a private Japanese university operating four campuses in Okayama and Hyogo prefectures, offering undergraduate, graduate, and distance-learning programs in social sciences, healthcare, agriculture, humanities, animation, and foreign languages to domestic and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

International Branch Campus & Offshore Program Partnerships (EDAIABAI), Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA), Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate school programs
• Distance learning education
• International student exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

高梁市 (Takahashi)

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees, entrance examination fees, and enrollment fees from undergraduate and graduate students across daytime and distance learning programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kibi International University is a private Japanese university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and distance-learning degree programs across social sciences, nursing and healthcare, agriculture, animation, foreign languages, psychology, and international cooperation. The university supplements its academic degrees with student support services including a proprietary student portal (Universal Passport), self-study tools, teaching and career support centers, library services, and certificate issuance, operating across four campuses in Okayama and Hyogo prefectures.

Product overview

Kibi International University operates as a comprehensive private university comprising multiple undergraduate faculties (Social Sciences, Nursing, Human Sciences, Agriculture, Foreign Languages, Animation) and graduate programs. The institution's product portfolio includes educational services (undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 4 campuses), student support platforms (Universal Passport portal, Kiui Drill self-study tool, Certificate Issuance Service with electronic authentication), specialized centers (Teaching Profession Center, Career Support Center, Learning Support Center, Health Management Center), a library system, and open campus programs. The university also runs a distance-learning graduate school (3 programs), an intensive Japanese language preparatory course for international students, and community engagement initiatives such as the Free Coffee project. All programs are delivered across four physical campuses (Takahashi, Minamiawaji Shichi, Okayama, Okayama Ekimae) and one online platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kiui（キウイ）ドリル: Educational drill materials provided by the university for student learning support.
• универсальнийПаспорт (Universal Passport)

Products and services

• Kiui (キウイ) Drill A university-branded self-study digital drill tool designed to support students in exam preparation and skill reinforcement across subjects. Available as a downloadable resource for currently enrolled students.
• Universal Passport (ユニバーサルパスポート) Proprietary student portal system used for course registration, grade management, class schedules, attendance tracking, and academic record access. Serves as the primary digital interface for students managing university enrollment.
• Affiliated Library (附属図書館) University library system across Takahashi, Minamiawaji Shichi, and Okayama campuses offering book lending, research support, database access, and borrowing services to current students, alumni, and faculty.
• KIUI Admission Counseling Admission counseling service where university faculty members respond to prospective student inquiries submitted via a web form, providing personalized guidance on admissions, programs, and campus life.
• Certificate Issuance Service (証明書発行サービス) Online system for issuing various academic certificates (Japanese and English) for current students and alumni. Certificates can be received via convenience store printing, postal mail, campus self-service machines, electronic PDF online delivery, or in-person pickup. Electronic certificates include anti-counterfeiting POPITA electronic watermark technology.
• Teaching Profession Center (教職センター) Dedicated center supporting students in obtaining teaching licenses (middle school, high school, special education) and preparing for teacher recruitment examinations. Includes examination preparation lectures, internship support, and license application assistance.
• Career Support Center (キャリアサポートセンター) Career guidance and employment support services for students and graduates, including job hunting assistance, internship programs, employer recruitment posting access, and career fair organization.
• Learning Support Center (ラーニングサポートセンター) Learning support facility on the Takahashi Campus providing programs including foreign language communication support for study-abroad students, Japanese language instruction for international students, test preparation tutoring, academic counseling, and intercultural exchange activities.
• Health Management Center (健康管理センター) Health management and counseling facility providing health consultations, mental health support, and disability accommodation services for students.
• Open Campus Program Prospective student visitation events held multiple times annually across all campuses, featuring department introductions, mini lectures, hands-on sessions, admission counseling, and campus cafeteria experiences.
• Intensive Japanese Language Course (留学生別科) Intensive Japanese language program offered as a preparatory program for international students, located at the Takahashi Campus, providing Japanese language and academic preparation before degree enrollment.
• Graduate School (Communication/Distance Learning) Three distance-learning graduate programs: Joint International Cooperation Research, Health Sciences (Physical/Occupational Therapy), and Psychology. Programs offer text-based distance study, in-person intensives (スクーリング), and combined formats, with thesis supervision and research activities.
• Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Business and Society (社会科学部 経営社会学科) Undergraduate degree program in business and society, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Students study management, sociology, and related disciplines.
• Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sports and Society (社会科学部 スポーツ社会学科) Undergraduate degree program in sports and society, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Focuses on the social dimensions of sports and physical activity.
• Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing (看護学部 看護学科) Undergraduate nursing degree program preparing students for nursing licensure examination and clinical practice careers.
• Faculty of Human Sciences, Psychology Major (人間科学部 人間科学科 心理学専攻) Undergraduate psychology degree program in the Faculty of Human Sciences, with possible progression to the Graduate School of Psychology.
• Faculty of Human Sciences, Physical Therapy Major (人間科学部 人間科学科 理学療法学専攻) Undergraduate physical therapy degree program in the Faculty of Human Sciences, preparing students for physical therapist licensure examination.
• Faculty of Human Sciences, Occupational Therapy Major (人間科学部 人間科学科 作業療法学専攻) Undergraduate occupational therapy degree program in the Faculty of Human Sciences, preparing students for occupational therapist licensure examination.
• Faculty of Animation, Department of Animation (アニメーション学部 アニメーション学科) Undergraduate animation degree program offering practical training in animation production and creative arts.
• Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Resource Biology (農学部 農業資源生物学科) Undergraduate agriculture degree program in agricultural resource biology at the Minamiawaji Campus.
• Faculty of Agriculture, Marine and Fishery Sciences (農学部 海洋水産生物学科) Undergraduate degree program in marine and fishery sciences at the Minamiawaji Campus, leveraging the coastal location of the agricultural campus.
• Faculty of Agriculture, Aqua Green Field Studies (農学部 アクアグリーンフィールド学科) Undergraduate degree program in aqua green field studies at the Minamiawaji Campus, combining aquatic and agricultural sciences.
• Faculty of Foreign Languages, Department of Foreign Studies (外国語学部 外国学科) Undergraduate foreign language degree program at the Okayama Campus, with eligibility for the Ito Scholarship for study abroad and other international study opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 270 students graduated in Reiwa 7 academic year

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• 顺正学园 (Junsei Gakuen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent educational corporation managing multiple universities including Kibi International University, Kyushu University of Health Sciences, and related institutions. Provides administrative infrastructure and governance.
• 高梁市 (Takahashi City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership providing special scholarship program for all enrolled students, reducing tuition burden for students studying at Takahashi Campus.
• 南あわじ市 (Minamiawaji City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership providing university entrance incentive scholarships of 200,000 yen (300,000 yen for residents), supporting agricultural faculty students.
• Korean Partner Universities (17 institutions)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange agreements with Korean universities including Kyungil University, Inje University, Dong Seoul University, Cheongju University, and 13 others.
• Chinese Partner Universities (6 institutions)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange agreements with Chinese universities including Yunnan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Henan University of Science and Technology, and others.
• Taiwanese Partner Universities (6 institutions)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange agreements with Taiwanese universities including Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tajen University, and National Taiwan University of Arts.
• US Partner Universities (8 institutions)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange agreements with US universities including Wright State University, University of Findlay, University of Hawaii, and 5 others.
• European Partner UniversitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with universities in Thailand (4), Canada (1), Brazil (2), Austria (2), Poland (1), UK (2), Belgium (1), Germany (1), France (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (1), Georgia (4), Philippines (3), Vietnam (1), Singapore (1).
• 大学コンソーシアム岡山 (University Consortium Okayama)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional consortium of Okayama universities enabling cross-institutional course enrollment and academic collaboration.
• 岡山理科大学 (Okayama University of Science)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated university partnership for unit exchange programs allowing students to take courses across institutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tokyo University of Science (Distance Learning Division): Major private university with established distance-learning graduate programs. Represents the larger-scale competitive benchmark for KIUI's 通信制 graduate school strategy and sets pricing/quality expectations in the segment.
• Ritsumeikan University: Major Japanese private university with extensive international exchange network and Asian student recruitment infrastructure. Sets the benchmark for internationalization programs that KIUI's 29-country network aspires to.
• Sophia University: Tokyo-based private university renowned for international programs and Japanese language education for foreign students. Represents the upper-tier benchmark for international student capture in Japan.

Regional players

• Sanyo Women's University / Sanyo Gakuen University: Private university in Okayama Prefecture with comparable faculty breadth and student service infrastructure. Competes for the same regional undergraduate population.
• Fukuyama University: Private university in nearby Hiroshima Prefecture with similar multi-faculty structure and regional focus. Competitor for students in the broader Chugoku/San'in region of western Honshu.
• Notre Dame Seishin University: Small private university in Okayama City with humanities and life sciences focus. Directly competes for prospective students in the same Okayama regional recruitment pool.
• Okayama University of Science: Located in Okayama City, same regional market as KIUI. Multi-disciplinary private university with comparable program breadth. Existing partner institution for cross-registration, making it a natural competitive overlap for local students.

Direct peers

• Kyushu Medical Science University: Another Junsei Gakuen-affiliated private university with medical/health sciences orientation. Comparable scale, same parent corporation, and shared administrative infrastructure — the most direct internal benchmark for KIUI's cost structure and operating model.
• Kyushu University of Health and Welfare: Sister institution also operated by Junsei Gakuen school corporation. Same private-university governance structure, healthcare/life-sciences orientation, and regional Japan positioning. Directly comparable on tuition model, student support services, and accreditation pathway.
• Nagoya University of Foreign Studies: Private Japanese university focused on foreign languages and international exchange with multi-campus setup. Directly comparable program mix (foreign languages faculty, international outreach, and study-abroad scholarship offerings).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kiui_pr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/kibikokusai
• Facebookfacebook.com/kibiinternationaluniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/kiui_student
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kibi-international-university

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Kibi International University