Yukichi FukuzawaKeio University, the oldest private institution of higher learning in Japan, traces its origin to a school established in 1858 by Yukichi Fukuzawa, now widely known as one of the intellectual leaders of modern Japan. One of his educational aims was to instill into the mind of each individual the spirit of independence and self-respect. Since that time, Keio has strived to uphold these principles as well as to pursue academic exploration. Throughout the unstable latter half of the 19th century, during which feudal Japan was transformed into a industrialized nation, Fukuzawa and his school played an important role in laying the foundations for modern Japan. By the time the Keio school system was reorganized in 1889, Fukuzawa's students and followers were leaders in nearly every sector of industry and academic. Today the Keio Gijuku Education Foundation encompasses the University and all of its affiliated schools.
The University is divided into eight undergraduate faculties consisting of eighteen departments and eight graduate schools. The University also includes seven research institutes. It has libraries located on four campuses and a hospital attached to the Faculty of Medicine.
Two new Faculties -- Policy Management and Environmental Information -- added on the new Fujisawa Campus in 1990 will open their graduate schools in 1994.