Two of Japan's top-tier national universities have announced a new name they chose to have after their planned merger.

Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University announced last October that they aim to merge in fiscal 2024.

They chose the name "Institute of Science Tokyo" after examining more than 6,000 proposals from the public. They plan to submit the name this month to an education ministry panel that handles matters related to founding universities.

Officials of the universities say the name expresses the new institute's will to take charge of scientific development and work with society to open up a vibrant future.

They also said they chose the term "science" to gain understanding from society, because the word sounds familiar and is easy for the public to remember.

The two universities are among a handful of national schools designated by the government as having top-level research capabilities in Japan.

Tokyo Institute of Technology has more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Tokyo Medical and Dental University has over 3,000 students and runs a hospital.