Kyoto University, one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious centers of higher education, has announced a basic policy of not conducting military-related research.

The decision by the university, which claims nine current and former graduates and professors as Nobel laureates, comes despite greatly increased funding for military research from the Defense Ministry.

"Kyoto University's basic mission is, by contributing to the planet's harmony and coexistence through sound research activities based on freedom and independence, the creation of internationally-recognized excellence. All who do research here recognize the impact of their own research results on the future," Kyoto University President Juichi Yamagiwa said in an announcement posted online Wednesday. "Our researchers aim to contribute to social order and human peace and well-being, and we will not carry out military research that leads to threatening these aims."