Meiji University held its Entrance Ceremony for the 2026 academic year at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on April 7. A total of 8,903 new students (7,687 undergraduates and 1,216 graduate school students) made a fresh start to the 2026 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: “University life is a time to encounter new knowledge, but also a time to encounter new people, and yourselves who you have not seen and are new to you. I want you to grow, through dialogue and reflection, into people who can talk about the world in your own words and change the future.”
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: “University life is a time to encounter new knowledge, but also a time to encounter new people, and yourselves who you have not seen and are new to you. I want you to grow, through dialogue and reflection, into people who can talk about the world in your own words and change the future.”
President UENO gives an address
In the following congratulatory address, YANAGIYA Takashi, Chairman, Board of Trustees, said, “In your university life that starts from now, I want you to have a sense of ownership of the various issues and challenges occurring in the world and actively think about what society should be like in the future and what you yourself should do to realize this goal.”
Chairman, Board of trustees YANAGIYA delivers a congratulatory address
Ms. YAMAMOTO , Chairperson of the Parents’ Association Union, said, “I sincerely hope that each of you will experience many encounters and take on many challenges through studying at Meiji University and greatly expand your dreams and possibilities.”
Ms. Yamamoto, Chairperson of the Parents’ Association Union, delivers a congratulatory address
As representatives of new students, FUJIWARA Izumi, a student of the School of Commerce, made a pledge in the morning session, while KARIYA Mako, a student of the School of Global Japanese Studies, made a pledge in the afternoon session. FUJIWARA said, “I want to face my studies sincerely, never give up no matter what kind of difficulties I face, and have a strong will to continue to take on challenges,” and KARIYA said, “While experiencing diverse cultures and ways of thinking, I would like to see both Japan’s attractions and its challenges, and acquire the ability to communicate them to people in my own words.”
Ms. FUJIWARA (School of Commerce) who made a pledge in the morning session
Ms. KARIYA (School of Global Japanese Studies) who made a pledge in the afternoon session
After their pledges, Mr. MORIMOTO Atsushi (graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics in 1993), General Manager of Public Relations Department of Japan Finance Corporation, who is currently appointed as the Ambassador for Entrepreneurship Promotion of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology gave a commemorative lecture to mark their entrance on the theme of “Empowering the Individual and Possessing the Power to Open the Way to the Future — Challenges for the Future Through Entrepreneurship.” Mr. MORIMOTO encouraged the new students, saying, “I want you to take on challenges willingly and without fear of failure while valuing the ability to think and act on one’s own in your university life.” The ceremony concluded with the singing of the school song.
A commemorative lecture for incoming students by Mr. Morimoto
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: TSUCHIYA Honoka, Cheerleader and Director of TEASair Co., Ltd. (Class of 2015, School of Global Japanese Studies), KATAISHI Takanori, CEO and Representative Director of yutori, Inc. (Class of 2016, School of Commerce), and SATO Shun, figure skater (4th-year, School of Political Science and Economics), who won a silver medal in the team event and a bronze medal in men’s singles at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The ceremony ended amid applause from the new students and their families for the heartwarming messages.