Kumamoto University is one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious national universities. As an international university with a worldwide reputation for excellence in teaching and research, Kumamoto University has a variety of schools with numerous specialties and a number of cutting-edge research institutes, such as the International Research Center for Medical Sciences, the International Research Organization for Advanced Sciences and Technology, the Institute of Pulsed Power Science, the Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, the Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, and the Magnesium Research Center. Notable alumni include Eisaku Sato who served as the prime minister of Japan and received the Nobel Peace Prize, as well as Lafcadio Hearn and Soseki Natsume, both of whom are known as distinguished writers. 1. Vision Kumamoto University aims to contribute to the community and global society by cultivating intelligent, moral, and skillful people. At the same time, the university works for the creation, inheritance, and development of knowledge, following the spirit of the Fundamental Law of Education and the School Education Law. 2. Goals Education In order to cultivate unique, creative people, the university provides a comprehensive education based on a consistent philosophy followed by all our undergraduate departments and graduate schools. Through a broad education, our undergraduate departments develop in students abilities related international communication, adapting to the information age, and thinking and acting independently. Our graduate schools cultivate highly specialized workers with comprehensive reasoning ability, technical knowledge, and internationally recognized skills, in addition to deep insight into human nature and the environment, on the basis of their undergraduate education. As an institution that is open to the public, the university offers a place where people can engage in lifelong learning. Research The university strives to protect and develop humankind's cultural heritage, while enhancing its capabilities to function as a center of advanced academic research and proactively promote cutting-edge, creative academic research. Full version of Mission Statement of Kumamoto University:http://ewww.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/en/about/vision/