Tokyo International University was founded in 1965 with a focus on business and commerce, and upon earning accreditation from the Ministry of Education (MEXT) the college has grown into a private university that now encompasses five undergraduate schools and four graduate schools. In addition, TIU has been sister schools with Willamette University in Salem Oregon since the beginning, and has also developed deep relationships with other renowned universities across the globe. Staying consistently true to its educational philosophy of "nurturing truly international-minded people," TIU is constantly expanding its practice-oriented international education. The University boasts a highly international learning environment: of TIU's approximately 6,500 students, roughly 1,200 are international students from over 60 countries around the world.