Nagasaki has a long history of international engagement, and once served as Japan’s only window to the world – Western countries and other parts of East Asia in particular – during the period of national isolation. Due to its geographical location, Nagasaki has been strongly influenced by the cultures of mainland China and the Korean peninsula. In this sense, it can be said that Nagasaki was one of the most internationalized regions in the country. Nagasaki also has a multilayered history, including its period of the “underground Christian” movement and the tragedy of the atomic bombing. The prefecture of Nagasaki has many remote islands, adding an extra dimension to the region’s economic and social development. Located in this historically, geographically, and culturally rich environment, the University of Nagasaki is dedicated to utilizing its educational and research activities to develop an academic culture that fosters local economic activity and promotes improvements to the health, lifestyles, and culture of local residents. University of Nagasaki also aims to cultivate in students a rich sense of humanity and creativity along with a high degree of knowledge by providing highly specialized education and research as well as a broad-based education in liberal arts. Through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at high levels of excellence, we develop specialists equipped with the discernment and dynamism that will allow them to adapt appropriately, flexibly, and actively to the needs of today’s highly complex and diversified society. Similarly, the graduate school endeavors to raise the degree of expertise even higher and to promote research activities that address high-level social needs and contribute to the local community. To this end, the University defines its philosophy and objective in terms of three points of agenda.

To produce graduates with the ability to respond to rapidly changing trends in society, it is essential to nourish a rich humanity and keen intelligence, based on a spirit of respect for others and the pursuit of peace. Under this philosophy, we combine a well-rounded liberal arts education and a more specialized education to provide a broad range of courses in areas such as economics, international relations, information systems, nursing, and nutrition, thereby producing highly creative specialized professionals who are rich in creativity and equipped with deep insight and high powers of action, enabling accurate accommodation of needs in an increasingly complex and diverse society. We also train students in advanced levels of international communication, with an emphasis on English and Chinese language education, and strive to cultivate individuals who can contribute to the advancement of Asia and the world in general while taking a hand in the development of globalizing societies and regions. On the level of graduate studies, our efforts are devoted to raising the degree of expertise even higher and turning out people possessed of a broad outlook and highly specialized knowledge, capable of pursuing careers as experts in individual areas of specialization.

With the conviction that studies should be undertaken toward the goals of assuring respect for humanity, world peace and human welfare, the University constantly strives to refine the methods and substance of research, probe for truth, and create knowledge. We intend to actively promote distinctive research grounded in the geographical, historical, and cultural attributes of Nagasaki, which include many islands and diverse sea areas; historical, including a long history of exchange with other parts of East Asia; and cultural attributes of Nagasaki in order to create additional knowledge rooted in the region. In particular, the university places a priority on research related to matters such as human safety/security and peace, remote islands, and East Asia, in keeping with its intention to function as a hub of knowledge not only in prefectural and national contexts but also in international ones.

Through comprehensive application of the university's available human, material, and intellectual resources and organizations, the university is committed to extensive contribution to the improvement of the health and well-being of local residents, the promotion of local industries, and the creation of new local culture. To this end, we as a local center of knowledge will actively promote collaboration between industry, academia, and government. We also pursue partnership and cooperation with the community for flexible and positive-minded accommodation of the diversified needs of prefectural residents in such respects as lifelong learning and community development. Nagasaki was for a long time Japan's sole window to the West and to East Asia, and has a history of dealings with other countries, as well as human and cultural ties to the rest of nearby East Asia. The university will make the most of these historical and geographical characteristics of Nagasaki by vigorously developing interaction with overseas universities and research institutions, mainly in East Asia, and by assisting international economic advancement and cultural enhancement.