Dr. Takanori Kobayashi, the late president of Tokyo Christian University
Dr. Takanori Kobayashi, the president of Tokyo Christian University, suffered a cardiac infarction on October
23rd (Japan time) during his US business trip. Despite emergency treatment and intensive care at a hospital,
he has gone to be with the Lord at 9:30 p.m. on October 24th (Japan time). The schedule of his funeral will beannounced on TCU’s website at the soonest possible time.

Date of Birth: March 13th, 1956
Date of Death: October 24th, 2017 (61 years old)

Biographical Sketch
Church: The Presbyterian Church in Japan East Kanto Presbytery
Expertise: Book of John, Apocalyptic Literature, Pauline Theology
Education
March 1980

B.A. in Hindu and Urdu, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

March 1987

M.Div. equivalent, Tokyo Christian Theological Seminary

June 1989

Th.M., Calvin Theological Seminary

May 1999

Ph.D. in New Testament, University of St. Andrews

Positions at TCU
April 1995

Lecturer, Tokyo Christian Theological Seminary

April 1996

Lecturer, Tokyo Christian University (TCU)

April 2000

Associate Professor, TCU

April 2006

Professor of TCU

April 2012

Professor, TCU Graduate School of Theology

Administration at TCU
April 1996

Residential Supervisor, Male Students Dormitory (up to August 2001)

June 1998

Chair, Kyoritsu Christian Institute (up to March 2009)

April 2002

Associate Manager, Academic Affairs (up to March 2008)

April 2006

Provost (up to March 2014)

April 2006

Chair, International Communication Center (up to July 2009)

August 2009

Dean, Academic Affairs (up to March 2010)

April 2014

President of TCU

Achievements
Dr. Kobayashi became the provost of TCU from 2006, then the president from 2014, and passed away while
in office. For these eleven and a half years he had taken the weighty responsibility of making drastic changes.
As the provost (2006 – 2013) Dr. Kobayashi, with president Dr. Kurasawa, led TCU to establish theInternational Christian Studies and Social Work Department in 2008, a Major in Church Ministry in 2010, a
Postgraduate Certificate Course in Church Music in 2011, and the Graduate School of Theology (Master’sprogram) in 2012. As the president he led the school to establish the Graduate School of Theology (Doctoralprogram) in 2014, promoted globalization on campus and gained quality assurance of the school throughcertified evaluation and accreditation from Japan University Accreditation Association. In short, he led TCUto develop into a full higher education institution, passionately educated Christians serving the church andsociety, and furthered the goals of the school. Moreover, he was a chairperson of Asia Theological Associationfrom 2013 and promoted education and research among churches in globalizing Asia. Dr. Kobayashi was avital and indispensable figure at TCU aiming to send students to the church and society around the world, but
he left this earth for a better place during his term of office.
We remember the grace of God and pray that His comfort be upon Dr. Kobayashi’s family in this time of sorrow.

October 25, 2017
Tokyo Christian University

For inquiries, please contact President Office at TCU.
E-mail: tcu@tci.ac.jp
Tokyo Christian University phone number: 0476-46-1131