News

Waseda University held a meeting of its Strategic Policy Committee on the Waseda Campus on September 1, 2026.

Waseda is advancing initiatives to promote the international mobility and circulation of talent and to further internationalize its education and research systems, centered on the three pillars of its 150th Anniversary Project: “Global Research,” “Global Education,” and “Global Citizenship.” To support these efforts, the university established the Strategic Policy Committee to obtain advice from external experts on strengthening Waseda’s international competitiveness.

This year’s Strategic Policy Committee meeting was attended by Professor Peter Salovey, former President of Yale University; Professor Gil Latz, former Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs at Ohio State University; Glenn S. Fukushima, Vice Chair of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation; Professor Michael Hoch, Rector (President) of the University of Bonn; Professor Mari Sako of the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford; Jay Collins, former Vice Chairman of Public Sector and Banking at Citigroup; Akiko Nakajo, Representative Director of iTunes and Outside Director of McDonald’s Japan Holdings Co., Ltd.; Makiko Eda, Managing Executive Officer and Chief Sustainability/DEI&I/Administrative/Compliance Officer at Sumitomo Corporation; and Keiko Tashiro, Advisor to Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

During the morning session at Okuma Kaikan, the committee members and university executives discussed the environment surrounding the university and Waseda’s initiatives, deepening their mutual understanding. The group then moved to Building 121, where faculty members briefed the committee on research concerning smart societies, AI, and robotics, followed by a lively discussion with the committee members.

Discussion at Okuma Kaikan

Briefing in Building 121

In the afternoon, a presentation was given at the International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library) by VETA, a university startup. Participants then exchanged views on collaboration between Waseda and private companies, as well as the potential for real-world application. They subsequently toured the International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library) and deepened their understanding of its initiatives as one of Waseda’s leading centers for cultural outreach, as well as its efforts in international outreach.

Touring the International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library)

A wrap-up discussion among the committee members was then held in the common room of the Global Citizenship Center (GCC). The discussion covered a broad range of topics concerning the university’s future vision and the challenges involved in strengthening its international competitiveness, including smart societies, AI and robotics research, industry-academia collaboration, educational reform, and further internationalization. The committee members offered opinions and recommendations from a variety of perspectives on strengthening research capabilities, attracting talent, and promoting international collaboration in order to advance Waseda’s development as a world-class research university.

Wrap-up discussion in the GCC common room

At the closing reception, which marked the end of a full day of meetings and site visits, committee members and university representatives deepened their relationships and exchanged views on future university reforms and prospects for further development, bringing the committee meeting’s proceedings to a close in a cordial atmosphere.