On Wednesday, April 1st, the incoming undergraduate class formally marked the start of their journey as ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app students at the AY 2026 Undergraduate Entrance Ceremony, held from 2 p.m. at Hiyoshi Memorial Hall. This spring, 7,051 new students have enrolled across all 10 undergraduate faculties and the Japanese Language Program. As in past years, the entrance convocation was attended by incoming students as well as ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app alumni celebrating their 50th reunion.
Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura opened the ceremony with the incoming class report. Next, President Kohei Itoh delivered his welcome address, introducing the new class to ¡°The Mission of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app¡± as articulated by the university¡¯s founder, Yukichi Fukuzawa. President Itoh encouraged the incoming class to be diligent in their studies and pour their hearts into extracurricular activities, while also helping and pushing their peers to reach ever loftier heights. He emphasized the importance of curiosity, ambition, and daring to think outside of the conventional box, in order to become leaders who will create a better world. While highlighting the benefits offered by cutting-edge AI technology, President Itoh urged students to heed the value of interpersonal collaboration, and tackle open-ended questions without any one ¡°right¡± answer. In closing, he expressed his hope that students would be models for society, enjoy their freedom, spread their wings, and take flight with the support of their community.
Professor Satoru Nakanashi from the Faculty of Economics next delivered the congratulatory address on behalf of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app¡¯s faculty and staff members. He was followed at the lectern by incoming student Kotaro Kazami of the School of Medicine, who delivered the matriculation address on behalf of the new students. The ceremony was brought to a close by representatives of the Class of 1976, who presented an inventory of items donated by the Mita-kai alumni association and delivered a speech with advice for the incoming students.
After the ceremony, many alumni could be seen rekindling old friendships at their 50th Anniversary Reunion. As ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app¡¯s newest students embark on their academic journeys, they too can look forward to developing similar lifelong friendships, forged through shared experiences in study and extracurricular pursuits.
Earlier in the morning, the Graduate School Entrance Ceremony was held at the same venue, to welcome the 1,824 new students entering ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app this spring across the 14 graduate schools (1,274 master¡¯s, 327 doctoral, and 223 professional degree candidates).
The ceremony began with an incoming class report by Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura, followed by a welcome address from President Kohei Itoh. President Itoh encouraged students to equip themselves with three complementary perspectives during their time at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app: a ¡°worm¡¯s eye¡± to dig deeply into their main area of specialization, a ¡°bird¡¯s eye¡± to develop a panoramic appreciation of the broader academic landscape, and a ¡°fish eye¡± to learn from one¡¯s network and observe ripples of change spreading through society. By acquiring these perspectives, he said he has great expectations for the students to work hand-in-hand with people around the world, and contribute to the advancement of society at large.
Professor Nanako Ishido of the Graduate School of Media Design (KMD) next delivered the congratulatory address on behalf of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app¡¯s faculty and staff members. In her speech, she urged students to question accepted assumptions about the workings of the world, and engage in dialogue with diverse communities as they help shape the future.
At ceremony¡¯s end, the Wagner Society Orchestra led the newly minted students in a singing of the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app anthem, the ¡°Juku-ka,¡± marking the start of a mellifluous new chapter as family members looked on from a separate venue.
On an auspicious day with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, attendees cheerfully filtered out of the ceremony venue and took their first steps on Hiyoshi Campus as official ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app students, full of promise and hope for the future.
Photography: Aki Takematsu