Nine Imperial Universities (帝国大学) were founded by Japan before Pacific War and run by the Imperial Japanese government, mostly in Japan, one in Korea and one in Taiwan. They are considered still today the most prestigious universities their areas.

They are:

  • Tokyo Imperial University (東京帝国大学) - Now Tokyo University (東京大学)
  • Kyoto Imperial University (京都帝国大学) - Now Kyoto University (京都大学)
  • Hokkaido Imperial University (北海道帝国大学) - Now Hokkaido University (北海道大学)
  • Tohoku Imperial University (東北帝国大学) - Now Tohoku University (東北大学)
  • Nagoya Imperial University (名古屋帝国大学) - Now Nagoya University (名古屋大学)
  • Osaka Imperial University (大阪帝国大学) - Now Osaka University (大阪大学)
  • Kyushu Imperial University (九州帝国大学) - Now Kyushu University (九州大学)
  • Keijo Imperial University (京城帝国大学) - Now Seoul National University of South Korea (서울 대학교 ; ソウル大学校)
  • Taihoku Imperial University (台北帝国大学) - Now National Taiwan University (國立台灣大學)