Osaka University of Foreign Studies (大阪外国語大学), abbreviated to OUFS or Ōsaka gaidai (大阪外大), Hangaidai (阪外大), Hangai (阪外) or Daigaidai (大外大) was one of Japan's only two national universities specialized in foreign studies, along with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. It was dedicated to area studies and the study of foreign languages and their related cultures. In October 2007, OUFS was consolidated with Osaka University to become "Osaka University School of Foreign Studies (OUSFS)".

History

Osaka University of Foreign Studies (OUFS) initially offered foreign language education in 9 world languages. The number eventually increased to 25, in accordance with OUFS's development as Japan's major center for foreign language education and research. The history of OUFS dates back to 1921. The founding of the university was supported financially by Choko Hayashi (1873–1945) an Osaka businesswoman, who made a private donation of ¥1,000,000. Based on this donation the Japanese government established the "School of Foreign Affairs (SFS)" in Uehonmachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka with the aim of nurturing internationally minded personnel in Japan. However its characteristics of the education, specialized in the language and culture of certain society, was commonly understood as a training center of espionage during World War II, and therefore, the school was obliged to be renamed "Osaka College of Foreign Affairs" in April 1944. It moved to Takatsuki, Osaka for a few years after the war and went back to its original site in Osaka city. In 1949, when the Law on the Establishment of National Schools came into effect, "Osaka University of Foreign Studies (OUFS)" was established based on the existing "Osaka College of Foreign Affairs". It was reformed to offer 12 modern languages as majors. In 1979 OUFS moved its campus to Ao-Madani area of Minoh-city, in northern Osaka, and continued at this location until its consolidation into Osaka University in 2007. As one of the only two national universities of foreign studies in Japan (along with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) OUFS offered an extensive variety of modern languages (Chinese, Korean, Mongolian, Indonesian, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Swahili, Russian, Hungarian, Danish, Swedish, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese) as majors, and a large number of other modern and ancient languages (such as Ainu, Catalan, Cantonese, Czech, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hausa, Karen, Lingala, Lithuanian, Nepali, Polish, Romanian, Shan, Tamil, Tibetan, Tok Pisin, Uyghur, Welsh, Manchu, Sanskrit, Sogdian, Pali, Latin, Hebrew, Ancient Greek, Old Church Slavonic, and Esperanto) as minors. In October 2007, OUFS was consolidated with Osaka University to become "Osaka University School of Foreign Studies (OUSFS)". Since the 2008 academic year, students now apply for their entry through Osaka University. OUSFS moved its location to the current Senba-Higashi area of Minoh-city (Osaka University Minoh Campus).

Student life

OUFS held 2 multicultural festivals every year, which were renowned for ethnic food stalls selling various sorts of international cuisine. Each society at the university held performances or exhibitions. The summer festival's highlight was the Bon Odori, and the November festival consisted of many plays in foreign languages.

Transportation

The OUFS campus is located in the northern suburb in Osaka prefecture. The time taken between Osaka University of Foreign Studies and Rail Terminals is around an hour, depending on the mode of transport used. The bus leaves from the Hankyuu shopping center towards Osaka-Gaidai mae, which stops right in front of the university. Other buses bound for Madani Jutaku 4 are also available which stop in the nearest residential area. Access between OUFS and Osaka University has improved due to the extension of the Osaka Monorail. Owing to the recent extension of the Osaka Monorail to Saito-nishi Station it takes 15 minutes by walk from the Osaka University of the Foreign Studies campus.

Notable alumni