Ritsumeikan University was founded in 1900. It has two campuses (Suzaku Campus and Kinugasa Campus) located in the ancient city of Kyoto. Science and engineering fields are concentrated in the Biwako-Kusatsu Campus, next to Japan’s biggest lake, the Biwa lake in Shiga Prefecture. Furthermore, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was opened in 2000, as a truly international campus located in Oita

The university is conducting two types of synchrotron radiation research. 1) Superconducting Synchrotron Compact Radiation Light Source (which is the main synchrotron research center named AURORA) and 2) The unique portable synchrotron research equipment (named MIRRORCLE). Main researches conducted with this two facilities are XAFS／XAS, SR micro lithography and etching for Micro/Nano fabrication, SR-stimulated processing, photoelectron spectroscopy, next generation life science beyond genomics & proteomics, etc.

The Research Center for Nano Machine-System Technology of Ritsumeikan University is completing the establishment of research activities covering design, prototype production, and fabrication. Specifically, we are promoting research and development in the following research fields: Micro/Nano fabrication technology, design and simulation technology, systematization technology, Micro/Nano materials and evaluation technology, etc.

A unique type of research on Disaster Mitigation is conducted by combining 3 different fields: information research based on communications network; disaster prevention engineering based on civil engineering and architecture; and sensor system research based on electrical and electronic micro machines systems.

Several researches in the environmental field are conducted in our university. They are mainly concentrated in analysis of water, waste, odor, etc.; disposal equipment and services; sensing and remediation, etc. Main researches in this area are related to elimination and suppression of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and research on waste plastic recycling. Additionally, there are researches in areas such as waste recycling and bio mass energy.

Ritsumeikan University has a Frontier Nitride Semiconductor Electronics Center. Research on Nitride Semiconductors are gathering much attention as materials to drive innovations, however, only a small part of its potential has been exploited so far. By conducting researches in leading edge semiconductor electronics, we are developing applications in the energy field, environmental field, and health areas. Specifically, we can mention nitride LEDs, crystal growth of InN technology, crystal growth of AlN technology, and high power electronic devices.

Ritsumeikan University has been a pioneer in the Robotics field as they were the first to establish a Robotic and FA Center in 1995. Specifically, we are currently promoting research and development activities in the following research fields: dynamic modeling, control technology, mechanical design, human interface technology, sensor technology, actuator technology, robot intelligence. Currently, some of our researchers are concentrating in interaction between information technology, robotics and life/medical science. As a result, one of the most promising researches is centered in measurement & imaging and control & manipulation of soft / wet objects.