Waseda University
Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda Daigaku) is one of the two most prestigious private universities in Japan (the other is Keio University) while the two most prestigious state-run universities are Tokyo University and Kyoto University. It is located on the northern side of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.
The school was founded by samurai scholar Okuma Shigenobu in 1882, and was designated a full university in 1902. Much of the campus was destroyed in the firebombings of Tokyo during World War II, but the university was rebuilt and reopened by 1949.
Waseda's literature program is particularly famous, and counts Murakami Haruki and Tawara Machi among its graduates. Joyu Fumihiro, a de-facto chief of controversial Buddhist religious group AUM Shinrikyo, also graduated from Waseda, where he studied Artificial Intelligence.
Waseda is also known as a training ground for Japanese politicians. Five postwar prime ministers are Waseda alumni: Ishibashi Tanzan (1956 - 1957), Takeshita Noboru (1987 - 1989), Kaifu Toshiki (1989 - 1991), Obuchi Keizo (1998-2000), and Mori Yoshiro (2000-2001). Among the last ten prime ministers, (1)three of them are Waseda alumni: (2) two are from Keio University: (3)one from Tokyo University: (4) none from Kyoto University.
A September 11 victim named Toshiya Kuge (Wikipedia Memorial page), who was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, was a student at this university.
Waseda was recently involved in the development of the WL-16 "walking robot."