（学）昭和女子大学

What （学）昭和女子大学 does

学校法人昭和女子大学 (Showa Women's University) is a private Japanese school corporation founded in 1920 (reorganized as a university in 1949) and headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo. It operates a fully integrated educational pathway spanning kindergarten (Showa Kodomoen, age 0), elementary, junior/senior high school, undergraduate, and graduate programs, including a professional graduate school established in 2023, serving approximately 9,000 students in total. The university comprises six undergraduate faculties: Human Life Sciences, International, Global Business, Human and Social Sciences, Environment Design, Food and Health Sciences, with a seventh (Faculty of Comprehensive Information with Data Science and Digital Innovation departments) planned for April 2026. The institution extends internationally through the wholly-owned Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture in Massachusetts (established 1988, 166,000 sqm grounds), 53+ partner universities across 100+ countries, and co-located partner schools including Temple University Japan Campus (since 2019) and British School in Tokyo Showa (since 2006).

The university's revenue model is anchored by tuition and enrollment fees across all educational levels, supplemented by donations through the Showa Women's University Educational Research Fundraising, ancillary facility rentals (Hitomi Memorial Hall with 2,100 capacity), film and television location fees through subsidiary Carillon Co., Ltd., and public accommodation bookings at Boshu Seaside Dormitory (5,000 yen per night) in Chiba Prefecture. Subsidiary operations include Carillon Co., Ltd. (wholly-owned, established 2005), Komazawa Park International School (joined the group 2018), and Social Welfare Corporation Kyowa-kai SHOWA (childcare and gender equality services). Distribution is delivered through the Setagaya main campus (1-7-57 Taishido), the Showa Boston campus, Tomei Gakurin retreat in Kanagawa Prefecture, and Boshu Seaside Dormitory in Chiba Prefecture. The university is governed by a Board of Trustees with Chancellor Bando Mariko and newly appointed Chairman Tsubaki Hiroe (effective April 2026).

The institution differentiates itself through 12 consecutive years ranked No. 1 in employment outcomes among Japanese women's universities (Daigaku Tsushin survey), 6 category-leading 2024 rankings (educational capability, reform capability, global education, post-enrollment growth, student care, employment support), and a 105-year heritage in women's education anchored by the founding motto "Be a Light to the World" (世の光となろう). Recent strategic actions include the 2023 merger with School Corporation Meisei Gakuen, establishment of new academic departments and a research institute focused on data science and digital innovation, and continued expansion of international double-degree programs (107 cumulative graduates as of 2024). The organization has approximately 66 listed employees (with student body and faculty separately organized), 8,000+ Supporter's Club members, and an English-language YouTube channel for international communications.

Name

（学）昭和女子大学

Legal name

学校法人昭和女子大学

Website

https://office.swu.ac.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Showa Women's University is a private Japanese school corporation founded in 1920, headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo. It delivers an integrated educational pathway from kindergarten through graduate school for approximately 9,000 female students, with international programs through its Boston campus and 53+ partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual School Course Providers (Single-Course/Part-Time Enrollment) (EDAJADAE)

Keywords

• Women's higher education
• Private university Japan
• International exchange programs
• Early childhood education
• Career placement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Setagaya, Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Primary revenue from tuition fees paid by students at all educational levels from kindergarten to graduate school
2. Donations and Contributions: 昭和女子大学教育研究募金 (Showa Women's University Educational Research Fundraising) accepting donations from individuals and corporations with various recognition tiers and tax benefits
3. Campus Facilities Rental: Revenue from rental of facilities including 人見記念講堂 (Hitomi Memorial Hall with 2,100 capacity) and other campus spaces
4. Film Production Location Fees: Fee-based acceptance of film and TV production shoots on campus through subsidiary company Carillon

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

School Corporation Showa Women's University (学校法人昭和女子大学) is a private Japanese educational institution providing an integrated educational pathway from early childhood (age 0) through graduate school. Offerings include Showa Kodomoen (early childhood), Showa Elementary School, Showa Junior/Senior High School, and Showa Women's University with faculties in humanities, global business, environmental design, health sciences, and planned data science/digital innovation. The institution also operates the Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture in Massachusetts, USA, retreat/training facilities in Kanagawa and Chiba, a library, the Koyo Museum, and the Hitomi Memorial Hall.

Product overview

昭和女子大学は1920年創立の女子教育機関で、学校法人昭和女子大学（昭和学園）が運営しています。こども園から大学院までの一貫教育体系を持ち、大学は人間文化学部、国際学部、グローバルビジネス学部、人間社会学部、環境デザイン学部、食健康科学部、総合情報学部（2026年設置予定）を擁しています。附属校として昭和こども園（昭和小学校昭和中学校・高等学校を含み）、海外キャンパス昭和ボストン（北京ボストン）、研修施設（東明学林、望秀海浜学寮）を展開。研究面では現代ビジネス研究所、ダイバーシティ推進機構等の専門機関を設置。图书馆（約59万冊）、光葉博物館、人見記念講堂等の施設を擁し、2020年の創立100周年以降も総合情報学部データサイエンス学科・デジタルイノベーション学科（2026年設置予定）等、新しい教育プログラムの拡充を続けている。

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Showa Women's University (昭和女子大学) Private women's university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across faculties including humanities, global business, environmental design, health sciences, and planned comprehensive information faculty (Data Science and Digital Innovation departments from April 2026). Serves female students from Japan and internationally.
• Showa Junior/Senior High School (昭和女子大学附属昭和中学校・高等学校) Affiliated secondary school for female students featuring global study abroad courses, super science courses, and other specialized programs. Designated as a DX High School by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• Showa Elementary School (昭和女子大学附属昭和小学校) Affiliated elementary school for girls offering English education, programming education, and ICT-integrated instruction. Recognized by the Ministry of Education for excellent reading promotion activities (2017 award).
• Showa Kodomoen (昭和こども園) Early childhood education and certified childcare center for children from age 0, integrated with kindergarten programs. Emphasizes child-led learning with family engagement.
• Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture (昭和ボストン) Overseas campus located on 166,000 sqm grounds in Boston, Massachusetts featuring 10 dormitory buildings (250 capacity), classrooms, language labs, Japanese garden, and athletic facilities. Provides English education and international cultural experience programs for Japanese and international students.
• Tomei Gakurin (東明学林) Natural retreat and training facility in Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture with capacity for 256 guests across 32 rooms (8 persons each). Equipped with classrooms, lounge, dining hall, and grounds. Currently closed to general public.
• Boshu Seaside Dormitory (望秀海浜学寮) Coastal retreat facility in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture with capacity for 313 guests across 19 rooms (16 persons each). Features tennis courts and gymnasium. Available for general public lottery bookings during summer at 5,000 yen per person per night with breakfast included.
• Hitomi Memorial Hall (人見記念講堂) Large-scale lecture hall on the Showa campus with 2,100-person capacity, equipped with stage facilities and orchestra pit. Available for rental for events.
• British School in Tokyo Showa (ブリティッシュ・スクール・イン・トウキョウ昭和) International school offering British national curriculum education for children of expatriate families. Located in Building 5 of the Showa campus with students from over 40 countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 consecutive years No.1 employment rate among women's universities (graduates 1,000+) - source: 大学通信 survey 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered key and core.

• Sookmyung Women's University (淑明女子大学校)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2020Korean women's university partner. Double degree program established in June 2020.
• Temple University Japan Campus (テンプル大学ジャパンキャンパス)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Temple University's Japan campus relocated to Showa campus in August 2019. Both institutions share facilities and offer double degree programs. Students can earn American university credentials while studying at Showa's Setagaya campus.
• Queensland University (クイーンズランド大学)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2019Australian university partner. Double degree program established in 2021. Expands global education opportunities to Oceania region.
• Komazawa Park International School (駒澤パークインターナショナルスクール)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018International school that joined the Showa Gakuen group in November 2018. Provides international education programs for young learners.
• Soleum Women's University (ソウル女子大学)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2017Korean women's university partner for double degree program and academic exchange.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2011Double degree program partner. First double degree graduates in March 2018. Total of 71 students achieved double degrees by March 2024.
• British School in Tokyo Showa (ブリティッシュ・スクール・イン・トウキョウ昭和)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006International school operating within Showa campus since September 2006. Offers British national curriculum for children of expatriate families. Located in Building 5 of the Showa campus.
• Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture (昭和ボストン)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988Overseas campus in Boston, Massachusetts established 1988. Provides international language education, cultural exchange programs, and serves as hub for study abroad experiences. Features student dormitories and comprehensive facilities.
• Carillon Co., Ltd. (株式会社カリヨン)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness corporation (事業法人) established by the school法人 in 2005. Operates various campus services including facility management, restaurant operations, and accommodation bookings (Boshu Seaside Dormitory).
• 53 Partner Universities WorldwidekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange and study abroad partner universities across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania. Includes double degree programs, student exchange, and collaborative research initiatives.
• Social Welfare Corporation Kyowa-kai SHOWA (社会福祉法人共生会SHOWA)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial welfare corporation operating childcare stations and gender equality center. Established based on comprehensive agreement with Setagaya Ward for community services including parenting support facilities.
• Setagaya Ward Gender Equality Center La+ (世田谷区立男女共同参画センターらぷらす)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGender equality center operated under commission from Setagaya Ward. Provides community services related to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Christian University: Highly selective private university in Tokyo with attached K-12 schools and a similar liberal arts, internationally-oriented educational philosophy. Closest analog to SWU in operating an integrated educational pathway with international mission.
• Ferris University: Private women's university in Yokohama with international liberal arts focus and similar integrated character education. Comparable in size, mission, and emphasis on global competencies for female students.
• Kanda University of International Studies: Private university in Chiba with strong international and language education emphasis. Comparable to SWU in global education positioning and in operating attached K-12 schools feeding into university enrollment.
• Japan Women's University: Another historic Tokyo-based private women's university with comparable program breadth across humanities, social sciences, and home economics, and similar employment-outcome focus. The most direct institutional parallel to SWU in scale, mission, and target student profile.
• Tokyo Woman's Christian University: Private women's university in Tokyo with comparable academic programs and target demographic. Similar mission orientation toward women's education and global engagement, with overlapping international partnerships.
• Tsuda University: Private women's university in Tokyo with strong liberal arts tradition and notable international education focus. Comparable in scale and target student, sharing the women's-only mission and emphasis on bilingual education.
• Ochanomizu University: National (public) women's university in Tokyo with similar academic strengths in humanities and sciences. Comparable in prestige and target student, though differs in funding model and selectivity.

Regional players

• Kyoto Women's University: Private women's university in Kyoto with comprehensive program offerings including early childhood education. Comparable in women's-only mission and integrated education approach, though operating in the Kansai region rather than competing directly in Tokyo.

Broad incumbents

• Sophia University: Major private co-ed university in Tokyo with strong international reputation and global programs. Comparable in prestige tier and target demographic of high-achieving students, but operates on a much larger and broader scale than SWU.

Others

• Temple University Japan: American university's Japan campus that relocated to SWU's Setagaya campus in 2019 as a strategic partner. Relevant as a co-located institution enabling double-degree pathways, not as a direct competitor but as a closely connected ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=9vW6IP1w9Zk&list=PL0UIvqdRTmh9R_wfVkWBTvdp-ctMSqhit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%EF%BC%88%E5%AD%A6%EF%BC%89%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E5%A5%B3%E5%AD%90%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%A6

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about （学）昭和女子大学