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Meiji University held its Entrance Ceremony for the 2025 academic year at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on April 7. A total of 9,377 new students (8,216 undergraduates and 1,161 graduate school students) made a fresh start to the 2025 academic year.

The Ceremony was held in two parts, one for each of the undergraduate and graduate schools, and each part consisted of an address by President UENO Masao, a congratulatory address by Chairman, Board of trustees YANAGIYA Takashi and a pledge by the representative of the new students.

Touching on Meiji University’s founding spirit of “Rights and Liberty, Independence and Self-Government,” President UENO encouraged students with the following words: “To be a member of Meiji University means having the courage to face challenges without fear of failure. Those who have never tried and failed often lack tolerance for the failures of others. I hope you will embrace challenges without fear and grow into individuals who will drive innovation in society.”
 

President UENO gives an address

In his congratulatory speech, YANAGIYA, Chairman, Board of Trustees, stated: “We hope that each of you will strengthen your capacity for self-governance, which is the ability to be self-reliant and to discipline yourself, and nurture your unique individuality at Meiji University, to grow into individuals rich in humanity.”
 

Chairman, Board of trustees YANAGIYA gives a congratulatory address

The student representatives, FURUSAWA Yu (School of Agriculture) and FUKUSHIMA Ririka (School of Business Administration) took an oath in the morning and afternoon section, respectively.
FURUSAWA remarked, “With the ‘Go Forward’ spirit always in my mind, I aim to continue taking on challenges and nurture the strength to surpass my own limits,” and FUKUSHIMA shared her determination, saying, “Through many new encounters at Meiji University, I hope to explore different values and continue meaningful dialogue.”
 

Mr. FURUASAWA (School of Agriculture) who made a pledge in the morning session
 

Ms. FUKUSHIMA (School of Business Administration) who made a pledge in the afternoon session

After the oaths, Dr. SUGIHARA Kokichi (Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Meiji University Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences) gave a commemorative lecture.
Professor SUGIHARA’s optical illusion research has been recognized not only for its academic values but also for its artistic beauty. In his lecture titled, “My methods for navigating the world of knowledge,” he defined a university as “a place where you discover your own path of learning and move forward.” He encouraged the new students, saying: “The pursuit of learning is an artistic activity. Listen to your inner voice, make your own decisions, and never set limits on what you can do. Once you start your journey, believe in yourself — and don’t give up.” After the lecture, the entrance ceremony closed with the school anthem.
 

Commemorative Lecture by  Dr. SUGIHARA Kokichi 

The ceremony featured a welcoming performance by the Symphony Orchestra, Glee Club and Mixed Chorus, and then video messages were broadcast from representatives of alumni members: Ms. HIGUCHI Wakaba (graduated from the School of Commerce in 2023), figure skater, Mr. UZAKI Ryudo (graduated from the School of Law in 1969), musician and Ms. KAMISIRAISHI Mone (graduated from the School of Global Japanese Studies in 2024), actor/singer. The ceremony ended amid applause from the new students and their families for the heartwarming messages.