‘Kinki University’ in Japan to undergo name change

A university in Japan has confirmed it will take on a new name in the coming weeks in a bid to attract more international students.

Kinki University in Osaka is to undergo a rebranding to attract international students. Picture: Google Maps

Kinki University, in Osaka, takes its name from its region in south-central Japan, but university chiefs believe the name might be distracting foreigners.

Officials admitted that many international visitors who attend conferences at the institution make inappropriate jokes during their time at the school.

The university is one of the largest in western Japan, with a successful law school, history of scientific research as well as schooling athletes who represented Japan at the London 2012 Olympics.

But the university’s administration believes that changing the name will help them push for wider international recognition.

Spokesman Ishihiro Seko told the Japan Times: “We aim to get more foreign students coming here, so we’ve decided to change our English name to ensure there is no misunderstanding.”

And university dean Hitoshi Shiozaki revealed to reporters earlier this week that he is getting fed up of the giggles he gets when he tells people abroad where he works.

He added: “The word ‘kinky’ also means perverted. We have no choice other than changing the English name because we are serious about pursuing a more international school culture.”

The university is expected to rebrand as ‘Kindai University’, an amalgamation of ‘Kinki’ and ‘Daigaku’ (university), with the change expected to take place in 2016 when a new international studies centre is opened.