Chairperson's message

Nomata Academy is a private school organization consisting of nine schools: a university, junior college, three vocational schools, two senior high schools, a kindergarten, and a driving school. Originally established in 1938 by Sadao Nomata, who founded a small school dedicated to the study of, and skills for, commerce, accounting and bookkeeping, Nomata Academy’s current Yuto Senior High School was built on those same, small-school grounds. “YUTO” refers to a brilliant star in the Big Bear, northern-sky constellation that serves as the guiding spirit for our lives in Hokkaido. In the spirit of this guidance, Hakodate University’s Faculty of Commerce, as well as the private school organization’s eight other schools, all follow in the spirited footsteps of our founder and strive to develop and foster “gratitude,” “study,” and “practice” in all the students and community members who participate in our academy of schools.

All of our schools are located in Hakodate City, Hokkaido. Though Hakodate City is not a big city, having a population of some 300,000 residents in Hokkaido (an area with approximately five million people overall), Hakodate City is one of the most attractive cities in Japan, where many tourists, from both inside and outside Japan, come to enjoy its seaside beauty, the surrounding mountains, and the city’s delicious culinary offerings.

During much of the 19th century’s Edo Era in Japan, the government enforced a strict policy of isolationism that inhibited most international trade nationwide, however, by the end of the Edo Period, Hakodate was one of only five ports in the country still welcoming both foreign ships and trade. To date, therefore, of the eight private high schools in Hakodate City, three mission schools remain.

In this spirit of openness, I believe that Hakodate City is a wonderful place for all kinds of international exchange. When it comes to education, students will find many exciting opportunities and experiences to communicate with non-Japanese students and instructors. We are also always actively exploring potential, reciprocally-cooperative ventures with partner schools, so should you be interested in cultivating an international exchange agreement with any of our academy’s schools, please do not hesitate to contact us. We certainly hope your future plans include a visit to enjoy both Hokkaido and Hakodate City.