Our History
In 1920, when Japan was still in the turbulent aftermath of the First World War, Showa Women’s University was established by Enkichi Hitomi, a poet and educator, and his wife, Midori, who found their educational ideals of “love, compassion, and harmony” in the teachings of Leo Tolstoy. The university’s motto “Be a light to the world” reflects our commitment to educating women who can initiate meaningful changes in society.
- 1920
- Japan Women’s Institute, which later becomes Showa Women’s University, is founded in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo.
- 1922
- Showa Senior High School opens.
- 1945
- After all the school buildings are destroyed in a bombing raid during the Second World War, the school moves to Setagaya Ward.
- 1947
- Showa Junior High School opens.
- 1949
- The Japan Women’s Institute becomes Showa Women’s University.
- 1951
- Showa Kindergarten opens.
- 1953
- Showa Elementary School opens.
- 1974
- Graduate School (Master’s Programs in Literature) starts.
- 1980
- Hitomi Memorial Hall is completed.
- 1986
- Graduate School (Master’s Programs in Life Sciences) starts.
- 1988
- International Campus Boston is founded.
- 1989
- Doctoral programs in literature and Life Sciences start.
- 1994
- Research Hall and Koyo Museum are completed.
- 2006
- British School in Tokyo starts on the Setagaya campus.
- 2013
- The Faculty of Global Business is established.
- 2017
- The Faculty of International Studies is established.