Welcome to Our 'Intellectual Community' in Sunny Kochi!
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kochi University was established in 2016 through the reorganization of the former Faculty of Humanities and Economics. The aim was to bridge the gap between the humanities and social sciences, overcome the many barriers we face in an increasingly globalized society, and foster an 'intellectual community'.
A decade has now passed since that reorganization. However, rapid technological advances, including AI, and recurring regional conflicts demonstrate that the world is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain. In an age when the future is difficult to foresee, the need for new knowledge —knowledge that we ourselves create —is greater than ever. We have continued to build this 'intellectual community', and we will carry this endeavor forward.
Our faculty is a place where people come together to ask fundamental questions: What does it mean to be human? How can we truly understand one another? What is society? It is also a place where we seek answers to these questions together. We hope that, through their studies here, each student will develop their own perspective —a fundamental orientation that shapes how they view the world and engage with others —and become able to see people and society through their own eyes, engaging both thoughtfully and independently.
This website offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to the education and research conducted at our faculty, including what we teach and study, what our students learn, and how they deepen their knowledge and understanding. Wherever you look, you will find something to spark your curiosity, so we invite you to explore the site fully. If you find something of interest, please come and visit our 'intellectual community' in sunny Kochi. Our entire faculty and staff look forward to welcoming you.
Kenichi Ogata
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Date of Publication: 01/04/2026
