Professor Larra Anderson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Essex, said: “We are inaugurating a pioneering educational venture that bridges the distance between the UK and Japan. For the first time, students in Japan can earn a University of Essex degree without leaving their home country, through a programme delivered in Japanese that meets the globally recognised standards of UK higher education.
“This innovative model, which combines Essex’s academic strengths with SAK’s local expertise, has already attracted great interest, and we are excited about what comes next.”
The event brought together senior representatives from the University of Essex and key partners, including Dr Annecy Lax, Dean of Partnerships (Education), alongside representatives from the British Embassy Tokyo and the British Council, and Ken Saito, Member of the House of Representatives and former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
SAK, which is part of SIE Co., Ltd. and has a 22-year track record in technology-led education, hosted the ceremony. Masayuki Tou, President of SIE Co., Ltd., opened proceedings by setting out the background and vision for the new campus. Guest addresses followed from Professor Larra Anderson, Ken Saito, Sumiko Koga (Senior Trade Officer, British Embassy Tokyo), and Jim Booth (Director, British Council Japan).
A special video message from leading footballer Maya Yoshida, one of Japan’s most capped internationals and President of the Japan Professional Footballers’ Association, reflected on the challenges of athletes’ second careers and expressed the hope that the new campus would expand opportunities and enrich lives. As the President of the Japan Professional Footballers Association, Yoshida reflected, “I have always been aware of the challenges surrounding athletes’ second careers. I sincerely hope this campus becomes a place that expands new possibilities for players and contributes to enriching their lives.”
Speakers welcome launch of SAK University Tokyo Innovation Campus
Masayuki Tou, President, SIE Co., Ltd. “To impart abundant knowledge to countless people in countless ways — this is the vision of our institution. Free from the constraints of nations, political parties, or voters, we aim to be an institution that delivers optimally to academia, society, and our students. While respecting the traditions and values of established universities, we will continue to develop as a next-generation higher education institution.”
Professor Larra Anderson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), said: “We envision faculty and students engaging in joint research that taps into both Essex’s and SAK’s strengths, collaborating on cutting-edge projects. We also foresee student and staff exchanges, so that learning flows both ways between our campuses. In the years to come, Essex students might spend time in Tokyo and SAK students at our campus in Essex, enriching their experiences and strengthening the bonds between our communities. We will continue to innovate, developing new programmes and technologies to further enhance how we teach and learn.”
Sumiko Koga, Senior Trade Officer at the British Embassy in Tokyo, said: “The ability to earn a University of Essex-accredited degree and postgraduate qualification entirely in Japanese, within Japan, marks an exceptionally groundbreaking and meaningful moment for education in both Japan and the UK. I am confident that this is excellent news for Japan, a country advancing digitalisation.”
Jim Booth, Director of the British Council Japan, said: “In life, there is nothing more important than creating something for the next generation. The relationship between the UK and Japan has never been stronger. I hope that the young people nurtured here will become the leaders of tomorrow, and that the connections they build in this educational environment will continue for years to come.”
Ken Saito, Member of the House of Representatives and Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, said: “One of SAK’s greatest strengths is that students can receive high-quality education anywhere in the country, whether online or on campus. Even those living outside major cities can access world-class education from their own homes. I very much look forward to seeing young Japanese talent emerge in this AI-driven world, much like Shohei Ohtani or Naoya Inoue.”
There followed a campus tour where guests and media representatives were introduced to the SAK programmes that allow hands-on experience in cutting-edge educational environments, including AI, cybersecurity, and software development. This includes a Security Operation Centre for Security Training alongside spacious classrooms, lab room, informal study areas, and private study booths.
SAK University - Innovative undergraduate and postgraduate courses
SAK University opened in Tokyo this year as a new option for students to study UK university programs entirely in Japanese, offering a three-year bachelor’s program and a one-year postgraduate program accredited by the University of Essex.
SAK University, which combines the University of Essex’s academic tradition with SAK’s educational expertise, is Japan’s first fully accredited partner institution where students can earn a University of Essex bachelor’s degree (BSc in Computer Science) and postgraduate qualification (PGDip in Computer Science and Security) entirely in Japanese.
SAK provides cutting-edge, practice-oriented IT education in fields such as generative AI, cybersecurity, and software development. Even those concerned about their English proficiency can confidently acquire international-standard knowledge, as all courses are delivered in Japanese.
In recent years, demand has been rising among Japanese high school students to pursue international-standard education without leaving Japan and build careers leveraging IT skills.
A survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimates that Japan could face a shortage of up to 790,000 IT professionals by 2030, underscoring the growing need for higher education in IT and the development of globally capable talent. SAK University addresses this need as Japan’s first domestic international education model, offering programs that enable diverse career pathways.
About System Architecture Knowledge (SAK)
The mission of System Architecture Knowledge (SAK) is to cultivate students who master advanced IT skills and go on to thrive on the global stage.
SAK is a specialised IT school with a 22-year history, established to train engineers by engineers.
With nearly 30 courses offered across its Akihabara and Shinjuku campuses, SAK has provided IT education to over 16,000 students and more than 300 corporate clients.
