Azabu High School
Encyclopedia
, referred to as "Azabu," is a private preparatory day school in Japan. It teaches boys between seventh and twelves grades. The campus of Azabu is located in the Azabu
district of Minato
, Tokyo, Japan. Azabu High School technically consists of two institutions, which are , a former teaches pupils between seventh and ninth grades while the latter teaches pupils between tenth and twelves grades.
Azabu is one of the most prestigious preparatory schools in Japan, and perhaps most widely known as a member of "The Three Houses for Boys," along with Kaisei Academy
and Musashi Junior & Senior High School
. The school has been constantly sending approximately one third of its graduates to the most prestigious university in Japan, University of Tokyo
. Unlike other academically distinguished schools (including Kaisei Academy
) sending students to the University of Tokyo, however, the traditions at Azabu are liberal and magnanimous. For example, there are no established school rules that students are required to observe, and there is no "study-compelling" atmosphere.
in Canada, Winchester College
in UK, and Ningbo Polytechnic in People's Republic of China. Nobuhiro Hikami, Professor of Philosophy, serves as the principle of the school today.
district (the origin of the school name) which is an area in the Minato Ward, and the nearest train station is Hiroo Station
(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
). The Azabu district is mostly a residential area, and the main gate of the school is so narrow that one may not notice that there is a large school there. This fact produced the famous phrase "Azabu’s narrow gates," which also implies its extremely competitive admission policy.
The classrooms are located in the main building, which is a square-shaped, 4-story building with a courtyard. The courtyard can also be used as two tennis courts. In 1995, a building commemorating the 100th anniversary was constructed, which houses the library and some clubrooms. The number of books in the library is over 40,000, which is a fairly large number for a high school library.
The schoolyard has a 200-meter track (which is also a soccer field), four volleyball courts, two more tennis courts and a 25-meter pool.
Azabu
is an area within Minato in Tokyo, Japan, built on a marshy area of foothills south of central Tokyo. Its coverage roughly corresponds to that of the former Azabu Ward, presently consisting of nine official districts: Azabu-Jūban, Azabudai, Azabu-Nagasakachō, Azabu-Mamianachō, Nishi-Azabu,...
district of Minato
Minato, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 1 March 2008, it had an official population of 217,335 and a population density of 10,865 persons per km². The total area is 20.34 km².Minato hosts 49 embassies...
, Tokyo, Japan. Azabu High School technically consists of two institutions, which are , a former teaches pupils between seventh and ninth grades while the latter teaches pupils between tenth and twelves grades.
Azabu is one of the most prestigious preparatory schools in Japan, and perhaps most widely known as a member of "The Three Houses for Boys," along with Kaisei Academy
Kaisei Academy
-History:The school, which has produced many notable alumni, was founded in 1871. At first, it was established as a Kyōryū Gakkō of the prepschool to Senior school such as First High School（After the WWⅡ,this school was integrated into The University of Tokyo.）. Its motto is "The pen is mightier...
and Musashi Junior & Senior High School
Musashi Junior & Senior High School
is a distinguished privately owned school based in Nerima, Tokyo.It was founded in 1922 as Musashi High School, one of the first two schools using the old seven year system, taking students up to the equivalent of the first two years of university in the current system. It became the prototype for...
. The school has been constantly sending approximately one third of its graduates to the most prestigious university in Japan, University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
. Unlike other academically distinguished schools (including Kaisei Academy
Kaisei Academy
-History:The school, which has produced many notable alumni, was founded in 1871. At first, it was established as a Kyōryū Gakkō of the prepschool to Senior school such as First High School（After the WWⅡ,this school was integrated into The University of Tokyo.）. Its motto is "The pen is mightier...
) sending students to the University of Tokyo, however, the traditions at Azabu are liberal and magnanimous. For example, there are no established school rules that students are required to observe, and there is no "study-compelling" atmosphere.
History
Azabu started its history as Middle School at Toyo Eiwa School in 1984. The school was founded by Ebara Soroku, a Japanese educator in the transitional period of Japan, and President of Toyo Eiwa School at that time. The school was initially not accredited but gained the initial accreditation in 1895. Gaining its name as Azabu Ordinary Middle School, Azabu decided to relocate to the current location as Toyo Eiwa Theological Seminary where Azabu was holding classes was driven into permanent closure due to low enrollment. In 1890, the relocation occurred and the school received a new name, Azabu Middle School. After the World War II, the school was reformed to meet new regulations, and two institutions, Azabu Junior and Senior High Schools, were established. Although they're technically separate entities, Azabu has been run as a single school which teaches pupils between seventh and twelves grades. During the long history of the school, it maintained its prestige as an academically distinguished institution, however, it remembers numerous historical events including Sagami Lake Incident, and School Disputes.Present
Azabu teaches male students between seventh and twelves grades, and admits 300 students each year through the junior high entrance exams. There are over 100 teachers and about 1,800 students. The school festival, which usually takes place from third to fifth of May, is one of the largest in Japanese high schools, with over 20,000 people attending each year. The athletic meet is held in October. There are nearly 50 clubs, and the chess club, the othello club, the go club, and the shogi club are especially famous for their performances, winning the all-Japan championships almost every year. The clubs (often referred to as “circles” in the school), the school festival, and the athletic meet are all planned and run completely by the students. Azabu is also active in international exchange programs. There currently are exchange programs with Shawnigan Lake SchoolShawnigan Lake School
Shawnigan Lake School is a private boarding school, located in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. It was founded by Englishman, Christopher Windley 'C. W.' Lonsdale in 1916, and partly modelled on one of England's leading private schools, Westminster School.- Location :Shawnigan Lake School...
in Canada, Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
in UK, and Ningbo Polytechnic in People's Republic of China. Nobuhiro Hikami, Professor of Philosophy, serves as the principle of the school today.
Location/facility
The school is located in the AzabuAzabu
is an area within Minato in Tokyo, Japan, built on a marshy area of foothills south of central Tokyo. Its coverage roughly corresponds to that of the former Azabu Ward, presently consisting of nine official districts: Azabu-Jūban, Azabudai, Azabu-Nagasakachō, Azabu-Mamianachō, Nishi-Azabu,...
district (the origin of the school name) which is an area in the Minato Ward, and the nearest train station is Hiroo Station
Hiroo Station
is a subway station in Tokyo operated by Tokyo Metro.-Lines:Hiroo Station is served by the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from to , with through-running services to and from the Tōbu Isesaki Line in the north and Tōkyū Tōyoko Line in the south...
(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
The is a metro line owned and operated by Tokyo Metro located in Tokyo, Japan. The line was named after the district of Hibiya, under which it passes.-Overview:The Hibiya Line runs between in Meguro and in Adachi...
). The Azabu district is mostly a residential area, and the main gate of the school is so narrow that one may not notice that there is a large school there. This fact produced the famous phrase "Azabu’s narrow gates," which also implies its extremely competitive admission policy.
The classrooms are located in the main building, which is a square-shaped, 4-story building with a courtyard. The courtyard can also be used as two tennis courts. In 1995, a building commemorating the 100th anniversary was constructed, which houses the library and some clubrooms. The number of books in the library is over 40,000, which is a fairly large number for a high school library.
The schoolyard has a 200-meter track (which is also a soccer field), four volleyball courts, two more tennis courts and a 25-meter pool.
Notable alumni
This is an incomplete list of notable alumni of Azabu.- Ryutaro HashimotoRyutaro Hashimotowas a Japanese politician who served as the 82nd and 83rd Prime Minister of Japan from January 11, 1996 to July 30, 1998. He was the leader of one of the largest factions within the ruling LDP through most of the 1990s and remained a powerful back-room player in Japanese politics until scandal...
, Prime Minister of Japan - Yasuo FukudaYasuo Fukudawas the 91st Prime Minister of Japan, serving from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving for three and a half years under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi....
, Prime Minister of Japan - Shoichi NakagawaShoichi Nakagawawas a Japanese conservative politician in the Liberal Democratic Party , who served as Minister of Finance from September 24, 2008 to February 17, 2009. He previously held the posts of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the cabinet of...
, Minister of Agriculture - Sadakazu TanigakiSadakazu Tanigakiis a conservative Japanese politician who served as Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006, in the cabinet of Jun'ichirō Koizumi. He also served as Minister of Construction and Transport in the cabinet of Yasuo Fukuda and is serving his ninth term as a member of the House of Representatives,...
, Minister of Finance - Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru YosanoKaoru Yosanois a Japanese politician. He was a member of Liberal Democratic Party , the Sunrise Party of Japan and former member of the House of Representatives, serving his ninth term in the Lower House representing Tokyo's first electoral district until his defeat in the Japanese general election, 2009...
- Yoshiaki TsutsumiYoshiaki TsutsumiYoshiaki Tsutsumi is a Japanese businessman. During the Japanese economic bubble in the late 1980s, Tsutsumi was the wealthiest person in the world for a brief period due to his extensive real estate investments through the Seibu Corporation, which he controlled...
, president of Seibu RailwaySeibu Railwayis a conglomerate based in Tokorozawa, Japan, with principal business areas in railways, tourism and real estate. Seibu Railway's operations are concentrated in northwest Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture; the name "Seibu" is an abbreviation of "west Musashi," referring to the historic name for this area...
, former wealthiest person in the world - Takeo FukuiTakeo Fukuiis the former president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. He is from Tokyo, Japan, though his mother gave birth to him in Hiroshima to escape intensifying air raids during World War II. He graduated from Waseda University with a Bachelor's degree in Applied Chemistry...
, President and CEO of HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
Motor Co., Ltd. - Atsushi Furukawa, Chairperson, Microsoft Japan
- Yoshiro NakamatsuYoshiro Nakamatsu, also known as , is an eccentric Japanese inventor who has become something of a minor celebrity for his amusing inventions. He regularly appears on Japanese talk shows which, in conjunction with his appearance, usually craft a humorous segment based on one or more of his inventions.He is a...
, inventor - Morio KitaMorio Kitawas the pen name of , a Japanese novelist, essayist, and psychiatrist.A graduate of Tohoku University's School of Medicine, Kita initially worked as a doctor at Keio University Hospital. Motivated by the collections of his father's poems and the books of German author Thomas Mann, he decided to...
, novelist - Iou KurodaIou Kurodais the pen name of a Japanese manga artist.-Biography:Born in Sapporo as one of two twins, Kuroda moved many times in his youth. He graduated from Hitotsubashi University. The pen name "Kuroda Iou" is a combination of his family name and the name of a toy robot, Mars King...
, manga artistMangakais the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese... - Takashi YuasaTakashi YuasaTakashi Yuasa is a Japanese lawyer and television personality...
, international lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, commentator - Hidekatsu ShibataHidekatsu Shibatais a Japanese voice actor from Asakusa, Tokyo who is affiliated with Aoni Production. He was a classmate of Yasuo Fukuda at Azabu High School. He is married to voice actress Akiko Sekine....
, seiyūSeiyuVoice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
(grad. 1955)