The history of Ritsumeikan dates back to 1869 when Prince Kinmochi Saionji, an eminent international statesman of modern Japan, founded "Ritsumeikan" as a private academy on the site of the Kyoto Imperial Place. Today, Ritsumeikan University offers a wide range of courses in advanced studies at its Kinugasa Campus in Kyoto, Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC) in Shiga, and Osaka Ibaraki Campus in Osaka. The year 2000 marked the 130th anniversary of the founding of the Ritsumeikan private school and the 100th year of the establishment of Ritsumeikan University. In April 2000, the 100th anniversary of its establishment, Ritsumeikan opened an international educational institution, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Oita prefecture. The addition of APU has given new momentum to Ritsumeikan as it continues to adhere to its founding spirit into the 21st century. Over the century, the Ritsumeikan Trust has evolved into a comprehensive educational institution consisting of two universities, three senior high schools and three junior high schools.

　　立命馆的历史可追溯至1869年，当时近代日本杰出的国际政治家西园寺公望亲王在京都御所旧址创立了私立学府“立命馆”。如今，立命馆大学在京都的衣笠校区、滋贺的琵琶湖草津校区(BKC)以及大阪的茨木校区开设了广泛的高级研究课程。2000年标志着立命馆私立学校创立130周年，同时也是立命馆大学建校100周年。2000年4月，立命馆迎来创立百年之际，在大分县创办了国际教育机构——立命馆亚洲太平洋大学(APU)。APU的加入为立命馆注入了新的活力，使其在21世纪继续秉承创校精神。历经百年发展，立命馆教育财团已成长为涵盖两所大学、三所高中及三所初中的综合性教育机构。