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On August 9, a symposium hosted by Hosei University, Meiji University, and Kansai University was held at the WA space within the Women’s Pavilion at the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo) venue.

This event was part of initiatives based on the cooperation agreement signed by the three universities. The symposium, traditionally held annually by university presidents and principals, took place at the Kansai Expo venue this year.

The theme is “True diversity and WA!? – Taking the university campus as a stage where diverse people, philosophies, and values converge –”. Discussions and case studies explored the social mission of universities as educational and research hubs where diverse individuals gather.

In the opening university introduction, President UENO Masao highlighted the university’s history of producing Japan’s first female lawyers and judges, beginning with the establishment of its Women’s Department in 1929. Additionally, he highlighted the story of a fully blind student who passed the bar exam after attending Meiji's Graduate School of Law, explaining that the university continues to foster an environment where diverse students can pursue their challenges.

In the subsequent case study presentation, HAMAMOTO Makiko, the Vice President (Comprehensive Academic Policy) took the stage to explain the support system aimed at realizing a campus that respects diversity and promotes inclusivity. In addition to peer support for students with disabilities and international students, initiatives addressing gender equality and sexual diversity were introduced.

During the subsequent panel discussion, university presidents and principals from the universities took the stage and engaged in a lively exchange of views on their perspectives regarding diversity, the challenges involved, and future prospects.

In addition to university staff and students, the venue was also attended by numerous corporate representatives working to promote diversity. It served as a platform for broadly sharing each university’s initiatives and outlook.

Agreement on cooperation among Hosei University, Meiji University, and Kansai University
The three universities, all founded in the 1880s, share historical commonalities, including having been strongly influenced at their founding by Dr. Boissonade, known as the “Father of Modern Japanese Law.” This shared history served as the basis for the signing of an agreement on September 25, 2017. The three universities aim to further advance mutual education and research through inter-university collaboration activities that leverage the unique philosophies and strengths of each of them. By actively promoting industry-academia collaboration, contributions to the local community, international academic exchange, and other activities, the universities seek to fulfill the fundamental mission of universities: cultivating outstanding talent and pursuing truth. This will contribute to the development of the local community and, by extension, the international community.