The Mission
Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba: Our Contribution to Society
As members of the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences of the University of Tsukuba, we will contribute in the following ways towards helping to solve the global issues of the 21st century and help to promote human happiness, by actively contributing to the fields of physical education, sport, and health.
1.Education
Develop leaders capable of solving issues at point of need
We will foster leaders who can solve problems at various sites where physical education, sport, health, and other activities take place. This will be undertaken within an educational system that includes undergraduate and Master’s Programs in cooperation, with a current education for adults program, through practical education such as problem-solving, learning and internship.
Leadership in doctoral studies in the field of physical education, sport and health
We will be the forefront in Japan’s doctoral studies in the field of physical education, sport and health by working to develop researchers and highly specialized professionals with extensive expertise and interdisciplinary abilities with a global
perspective.
Development of human resources through the contribution of sport and physical education
The frequent practice of sport and physical education fosters a healthy body, mind, and strong spirit. It contributes to a “globally oriented human resources endowed with intelligence, human nature, and robustness that are applicable to the world stage” as cited in the Tsukuba Standards.
2.Research
Internationally convey research findings on Japan’s unique physical culture, martial arts, and sport
In light of the humanities and social research regarding the values and ethics of sport, we will undertake research on the characteristics of Japan’s unique physical culture, martial arts, and sport, and encourage global dissemination of our research findings.
Promote practical research in a wide range of fields which contributes to further education
Based on fundamental research and theoretical study of physical education, sport, and health, we will promote practical research in a wide range of fields contributing to further education.
Interdisciplinary research based on cutting-edge health and sport sciences
We will promote research on cutting-edge health and sport sciences as an interdisciplinary study in order to contribute to the national policy on “promoting the health and physical fitness of the Japanese people.”
3.Competitive Sport
A high-performance reinforcement base with research, practice, and education as the three pillars
Research on improving competitive sport performance and instruction based on the research results, and coaching education—with these three elements functioning as one, the high-performance reinforcement base will contribute to improving Japan’s competitiveness in the sport events.
4. Social Contribution
Regional health promotion system for solving national health issues
In addition to providing people of the world with advanced health support measures that make use of the research results in sports medicine, we will create a health promotion system in collaboration with medical institutions and the local community.
Comprehensively promote “Knowledge” and “Technique” to society
While making active social contributions from an academic perspective to scientific societies, we will also promote comprehensive research results on physical education, sport, and health science to the local community; thereby supporting education according to life stages, lifelong sport, and improvement in competitive performance.
Strengthen our function as a hub for industry, government, and academic collaboration
For the above nine goals, the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba will become a hub for forming industry, government, and academic collaboration, and continuously present innovative ideas to achieve more productive results.
History
Both the School of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences and the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences at the University of Tsukuba originate from the National School of Gymnastics founded in 1878, which is the oldest institute in Japan for gymnastics and physical education. The institute was combined with Tokyo Normal School in 1885. In 1902, Normal School was reorganized as the Tokyo Higher Normal School and faculty of Physical Education was instituted in 1915. In 1924, the National Institute of Health and Physical Education was founded in Tokyo and in 1941 it was reorganized as the Tokyo College of Physical Education.After World War II, the Faculty of Health and Physical Education was established within the Tokyo University of Education in 1949.
This was the result of the amalgamation of the Tokyo Higher Normal School, the Tokyo University of Literature and Science, the Tokyo College of Physical Education and the Tokyo College of Agricultural Education. In 1960, the Institute of Sport Sciences was created as an addition to the Faculty. With the establishment of the University of Tsukuba in 1973, a new system of health, physical education and sport sciences was developed on the base consolidated by the reorganization of the former Faculty and the Institute, as well as by the recruitment of new faculty staff members.
Research System
Health and Sport Sciences consists of three fields; Physical Education and Sport Studies, Health and Human Performance Studies, and Coaching Studies. Physical Education and Sport Studies includes fields such as sport culture, sport management and politics, and sport pedagogy and psychology.
Health and Human Performance Studies contains fields such as fundamental and practical researches on exercise and sport and health promotion. Coaching Studies contains fundamental methodology of sports as well as methodology of specific sports including outdoor education and dance. Research in all areas covers a wide range of topics including fundamental as well as practical research.
The Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences has more than 100full-time research staff members consisting of professors, associate professors and assistant professors as well as contracted research associates and assistants. The Faculty also accepts foreign teachers and researchers. The staff are responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and also for carrying out various research projects. These projects are conducted in conjunction with researchers from inside and outside the institute. This puts the institute at the center of the development of physical education, health and sport sciences in Japan.
Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance was established in July, 2015
The Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences also publishes two research journals every year, Bulletin of Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences and Bulletin of Sport and Physical Education Center of University of Tsukuba.
