Okinawa Junior College, founded in 1958, was the predecessor of Okinawa University, which was founded in 1961. At the time, Okinawa was under U.S. military control, and it was difficult to travel to the mainland. Okinawa University was founded through the strong will of founder Noboru Kakazu, who wanted to provide a place of learning for young people with a strong desire to study. Noboru Kakazu stressed the importance of education for rebuilding and developing Okinawa after it was devastated during the war. He invested his personal assets to found the first private institute of higher education in Okinawa, and this led to the development of Okinawa High School, Okinawa Junior College, and Okinawa University.