noun
Refers to universities established by the Empire of Japan between 1886 and 1939, such as Tokyo Imperial University and Kyoto Imperial University. Now a historical term; the modern successors are national universities.
戦前、帝国大学は日本の高等教育の中心だった。
Before the war, the imperial universities were the center of higher education in Japan.
His grandfather is a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University.
noun
Imperial University (former name of the University of Tokyo)
Specifically the name used for the University of Tokyo from 1886 to 1897, before it became Tokyo Imperial University. Historical term; not used for the current institution.
帝国大学は、後に東京帝国大学と改称された。
Imperial University was later renamed Tokyo Imperial University.