, commonly referred to as APU, is a university in Japan. Ritsumeikan APU was established in April 2000 in Beppu, Ōita, Japan. APU was created through the collaboration of three parties from the public and private sectors: Ōita Prefecture, Beppu City and the Ritsumeikan Trust. The university has an enrollment of about 5,850, including approximately 2,900 domestic, and 2,900 international students (a 50–50 domestic-international ratio) originating from 90 countries and regions. Half of the 172 full-time faculty members are also foreign nationals who come from more than 30 countries and regions. Location The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is located in Beppu, Ōita, on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. Background Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is a member of the Ritsumeikan Trust which includes APU, Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto and Lake Biwa and primary, junior and senior high schools throughout Japan. In the early 1990s the concept of creating an international university in the city of Beppu was first raised by the governor of Ōita Prefecture, Morihiko Hiramatsu, with the then chancellor of the Ritsumeikan Trust in Kyoto, Mr Kawamoto. A chief proponent of the concept and design was Professor Makitaro Hotta. The university opened at Jumonjibaru, north of Beppu City in April 2000. The university was founded on the ideals of "freedom, peace, humanity, international mutual understanding, and the future shape of the Asia-Pacific region." The school's tagline "Shape Your World" was created in 2008 to evoke the image of students coming from all over the world to creating oneself as well as the world. Campus features Programs APU has 3 colleges: College of Asia Pacific Studies. College of International Management. College of Sustainability and Tourism (from Academic Year 2023). The academic program is offered based on 2 semesters, and each semester is divided into two quarters lasting for seven weeks. In general, most of the classes in APU are carried out on a quarter system. Unlike many other universities in Japan, students are enrolled and graduate twice a year, in spring and fall semester. APU offers undergraduate studies in subjects including liberal arts such as media studies, language subjects, and Japanese traditional arts. It offers special lecture subjects, which are added to and may change every semester. Students select their own classes and are not restricted to classes in their majors. However, students can only choose classes in their respective curriculum according to their enrollment year, for the