Hokusei Gakuen University (北星学園大学, Hokusei Gakuen daigaku) is a four-year private university located in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. The university is run by Hokusei Gakuen School System, whose educational philosophy is based on Christianity. Its name "Hokusei (北星) " means "North (北) " and "star (星) ", and it is derived from biblical reference "Shine like stars, in a dark world" (Philippians 2:15), which was recommended by Japanese scholar and politician Inazo Nitobe, and praised by the founder of the university Sarah Clara Smith. It also houses two-year Hokusei Gakuen University Junior College, and Hokusei Gakuen University Graduate School. Hokusei Gakuen University is currently a member of Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA) . The history of Hokusei Gakuen University goes back in time to 1887, when an American missionary of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, Sarah Clara Smith founded "Smith Girls' School". In 1894, the school was relocated and renamed "Hokusei Women’s School" as a Japanese scholar, Inazo Nitobe recommended. After Sarah Clara Smith died in 1947, the school has experienced several renovations and expansion.