Starting February 2018, the Mie University will include ninja questions in the entrance examination of the Department of Regional Culture of Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Located in Tsu, Mie Prefecture, Mie University is known for offering ninja and ninjutsu studies. Students who take the said subjects answer questions, discuss ninja-related academic topics, and read ancient documents about ninjas.

Aside from Ninja Studies, the successful applicants will have to take other subjects including Japanese history and archeology.

According to Japanese history professor, Yuji Yamada, the university is hoping that this new ninja-related studies will help promote tourism in Mie.

Last July 2017, Mie University and the city of Iga has established the International Ninja Research Center. It took them 5 years to complete the studies and preparation to build the center. They collected and created database of ninja-related materials such as old manuscripts, films, and cartoons.

Banner photo by Joey Gannon. Licensed under Creative Commons.