Akiko Higuchi graduated from Tsuda College, 1958 and was awarded the Sarah de Ford Prize. She gained her MA in 1960 when she graduated from Gakushuin University. In 1973-75 she became a part-time teacher at Gakushuin Girls’ Junior and Senior High School and became a full time teacher there between 1975-2000. She was also a part-time lecturer at Gakushuin University between 1978 and 2000, as well as a part-time lecturer at Keio University between 1973-2000.

She was a visiting scholar at Cambridge University between 1988-89. From 2000, she was appointed a professor at The International University of Kagoshima, and then became a professor at the Graduate School of the International University of Kagoshima. In 2006 she was awarded a Litt. D from Gakushuin University.