March 15, 2005

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is pleased to announce that Japan’s Ministry of Justice has granted it the right to sponsor student visas. On March 10, 2005, two TUJ students became the first to receive student visas.

Being able to sponsor student visas is the second benefit that TUJ has received since its February 14, 2005, recognition by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a Foreign University, Japan Campus. It follows the late-February granting of commuting-pass discounts to TUJ students by JR East and other private railway companies in eastern Japan.

TUJ has operated as a branch campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1982. But because TUJ was not recognized under the regulations governing Japanese universities, it was only eligible to sponsor short-term cultural activity visas for students from the United States. Its inability to sponsor student visas meant that it was impossible for students from the U.S. and around the world to pursue full degree programs at TUJ.

American undergraduate Jesse Moore (left), accompanied by TUJ dean Kirk Patterson, displays his passport stamped with the first student visa issued to a TUJ student.
American undergraduate Jesse Moore (left), accompanied by TUJ dean Kirk Patterson, displays his passport stamped with the first student visa issued to a TUJ student.

American Jesse Moore is one of the first two TUJ undergraduates to receive TUJ-sponsored student visas. He comments, “I am really lucky to be able to switch to a student visa at this time, since my current cultural activity visa was to expire this month. I have been studying Asian Studies and am interested in Asian business and Japanese. I would like to continue my studies in these areas.”

TUJ dean Kirk R. Patterson notes that “we are very grateful to the Ministry of Justice for quickly recognizing TUJ’s designation as Japan’s first Foreign University, Japan Campus, as the basis for allowing TUJ to sponsor student visas. This will enable TUJ to respond positively to the many requests we receive from overseas students who want to get an American education while learning about Japan. As a result, it will allow TUJ, as Japan’s most international university, to contribute to the strengthening of ties between Japan and other countries.”

While gratified to receive this and other benefits as a result of its new status from MEXT, TUJ will continue to work on addressing the various tax-related issues that TUJ faces. While not seeking government subsidies, TUJ believes that giving foreign universities the same tax status as Japanese universities would enable them to provide even better programs and facilities for their students.