Waseda University’s President serves as both Chair of the educational corporation’s Executive Board and head of the academic organization.
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International Office : Office of the President : President : President-global :Message to international students and researchers in the United States from the President of Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Jun 20, 2025 -
International Office : Office of the President : President : President-global :Former Yale University President Dr. Peter Salovey and Members of Yale’s Office of International Affairs Visit Waseda Campus
Apr 29, 2025
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Education : Feature : Office of the President : President :Waseda Featured in the November Issue of TIME Magazine’s Asia Edition
Nov 14, 2025 -
International Office : Office of the President : President :President Tanaka Delivers Memorial Lecture at Ohio State University
Nov 11, 2025 -
History : Office of the President : President :143rd Anniversary of Waseda’s Founding: University Representatives Offer Flowers at Founder Shigenobu Okuma’s Grave and the Peace Memorial Monument
Oct 22, 2025 -
Alumni : Editor's Pick : Office of the President : President :Opening Ceremony Held to Kickoff Waseda University’s 150th Anniversary Project
Oct 22, 2025
News
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143rd Anniversary of Waseda’s Founding: University Representatives Offer Flowers at Founder Shigenobu Okuma’s Grave and the Peace Memorial Monument
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Opening Ceremony Held to Kickoff Waseda University’s 150th Anniversary Project
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Honorary Doctorate Conferred on Dr. Cha-Yol Koo, the 33rd President of the Korea University Alumni Association
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GCC Common Room Opens – A Hub at the Intersection of Community & Society
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Waseda Holds Strategic Policy Committee Meeting to Strengthen International Competitiveness
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Autumn 2025 Graduation Ceremony Held on September 20
Office of the President
From the establishment of Tokyo Senmon Gakko in 1882, the Kocho (Principal) served as the representative of the school. When the school evolved into Waseda University, its leadership system was changed to a Socho-Gakucho (President and Principal). In 1923, a year after the death of founder Shigenobu Okuma, the current Presidential system was instituted.
Today Japanese private universities are governed by the Basic Law on Education, School Education Law, Private School Law and other applicable rules. Under these regulations, private universities have two identities: one is that of an educational corporation, and the other is that of an academic institution established by the corporation. The former is headed by a Rijicho (Chair of the Executive Board), and the latter by a Gakucho (Principal). Waseda’s president fills both positions. Elected through voting by faculty members, staff, alumni and students, the President is considered a true representative of the whole Waseda University community.
