The Institute for Research in Humanities conducts comprehensive studies of diverse cultures and societies around the globe. It was established in 1949 through the amalgamation of the former Institute of Humanistic Studies (est. 1939), the Institute of Oriental Studies (1929) and the Institute of Occidental Studies (1946). The institute currently comprises five research divisions and two research centers: the Center for Informatics in East Asian Studies, and the Research Center for Modern and Contemporary China. In 2010 the institute was selected as a Ministry of Education designated Joint Usage/Research Center, an initiative which provides support for collaborative research projects with researchers from other institutions around the world. The institute holds collaborative classes with the Graduate School of Letters.
