Jilin University (JLU) has been engaged in Northeast Asian studies for many years. In 1964, under the approval of the State Council, Jilin University established the Japanese Studies Research Center and North Korean Studies Research Center. Since 1970, Jilin University has successively set up the Institute of Japanese Studies, the Institute of North Korean Studies (later renamed the Institute of Korean Peninsular Studies), the Institute of Soviet Union Studies(later renamed the Institute of Russian Studies), the Institute of Population Studies, the Institute of Regional Economics, the Institute of Tumen River Area Development,  conducting research on Northeast Asian countries, including Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Russia and Mongolia.

In April 1994, the Institute of Japanese Studies, the Institute of Korean Peninsular Studies, the Institute of Russian Studies, the Institute of Population Studies, the Institute of Regional Economics, and the Institute of Tumen River Area Development, merged into the Northeast Asian Studies College, Jilin University.

Over the decades, the Northeast Asian Studies College has developed into a well-known research institution with significant impact in both China and overseas, focusing on the research of international issues and interdisciplinary studies. Centering on the key theoretical issues and realistic problems in Northeast Asia, the Northeast Asian Studies College, has given its academic advantages of multiple disciplinary research into full play, covering the research on regional economy, politics, history and social development of Northeast Asia, in order to be consistent with China’s national strategy and social and economic development.