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.
Before the war, the imperial universities were the center of higher education in Japan.
His grandfather is a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University.
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.
Imperial University was later renamed Tokyo Imperial University.