Handai's roots can be traced all the way back to one of Japan's first schools: the Kaitokudo (1724). The Kaitokudo focused on teaching Dutch language and knowledge to Japan's merchant class. At the time, the Dutch were Japan's only foreign trading partners. Samurai also attended lectures and were entitled to seats at the front of class. Osaka University still has much of the Kaitokudo's library (in Dutch).
These days, Osaka University is more famous for robot research than Dutch language.
Osaka University makes an effort to be internationally accessible. Most of its website is available in both Japanese and English. Many of Japan's universities are ridged institutions that remain closed to the World outside Japan.
Osaka University has academic exchange agreements with 78 international universities.
