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Waseda University has many professors with a wide range of hobbies and special skills. In "Professor's Time Off," we introduce the unexpected side of our professors that you don't see during class.

​Tatsuto Asakawa, Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences

Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1965. Completed doctoral coursework in Sociology at Tokyo Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Social Sciences in 1995. Holds a PhD in Sociology. Specializes in urban sociology and social surveys. Received the Japan Urban Sociological Association Award (Isomura Memorial Award) in 2021. Received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award in the field of science and technology in 2025.

It was April 2007, the year after I started working at Meiji Gakuin University. The head of the Aikido club, who was retiring at the end of the academic year, suddenly asked me, "Would you be willing to serve as the faculty advisor of the Aikido club?" Surprised, I replied, "I'll think about it," but I figured that if it was just a matter of signing some documents, I could manage it, so I decided to accept.

Shortly after, the executive members of the Aikido club came to greet me and asked me to participate in the spring training camp, saying, "We've prepared a uniform with your name on it, so please join us." I felt bad about refusing after they had even prepared a uniform for me, so I decided to participate. I put on the uniform, tied the same white belt as new students, stepped onto the tatami mats in the dojo, and was allowed to join in the practice for a little while under the guidance of the fourth-year students.

After this training camp, I became interested in Aikido and learned that there was an Aikido dojo not far from my home, so I went to visit. The dojo's master happened to be a graduate of the Meiji Gakuin University Athletic Association Aikido Club, so what was supposed to be a visit turned into immediate enrollment. This was in July 2007. Since then, I have been practicing at a local dojo once a week. I also participate in the Athletic Association Aikido Club's training camps, which are held four times a year, and I have been able to train under the guidance of the supreme master, Sensei Tsutomu Senda, and the black belt members.

Photo on the left: A picture taken in 2014 at the Meiji Gakuin University Aikido Club's school festival, where I participated as the faculty advisor. The person on the left is me.
Photo on the right: The author (left) receiving instruction from Master Chida during the same training camp.

The members of the Aikido club practice three times a week and receive their black belt (first dan) by the winter of their second year. Since I only practice once a week, excluding training camps, I was prepared for it to take me three times as long as the other members, and I dedicated myself to my training. My consistent practice paid off, and in December 2010 I was awarded my first dan and received my black belt. I was relieved to finally be on par with the second-year members. Later, in July 2019, I was recognized as a fourth dan, and I was even asked to instruct the members at the Aikido club's training camps.

Photo on the left: Instructing members of the Meiji Gakuin University Aikido Club during their summer training camp in 2017.
Photo on the right: I took the 4th dan examination in 2019. The person on the right is the author.

In April 2020, I became a professor in the Faculty of Human Sciences at Waseda University. The dojo in town was closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but has since resumed activities, and I still practice once a week. Before I knew it, 2026 will mark my 20th year of practicing Aikido. Even now, past the age of 60, I can walk faster and longer distances than students, all thanks to Aikido.