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The spring entrance ceremonies were held for undergraduate and graduate students at Waseda Arena on April 1 and 2. As protective measures against Covid-19, the ceremony was divided into multiple sessions to spread out the total number of attendees over each session, and attendance was limited to new students only.

Approximately 8,600 new undergraduate students were welcomed at this year’s ceremony, as they embarked on their university journey as new members of the Waseda community. Additionally, approximately 3,000 new graduate students will further their education and strive to make great contributions to the university’s scholarship.

In his address to the new students, President Aiji Tanaka stated, “Let’s not only regret the negative impact of this pandemic on our lives, but also look ahead toward the post-corona era by utilizing what we have experienced and learned from it,” passionately encouraging each student “to develop ‘intellectual resilience’ and to foster ‘flexible sensitivity’ in order to become a global leader who will contribute to human kind around the globe.”

President Aiji Tanaka’s full English speech (for Undergraduate students)
President Aiji Tanaka’s full English speech (for Graduate students)

 

The congratulatory address for the entrance ceremony’s first session was given by Yoshie Tsukamoto, who graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics. Tsukamoto is currently the president and chief executive officer of NTTCom Online Marketing Solutions Corporation. When she was at Microsoft Japan, she was awarded the Chairman’s Award for expanding operation and business of MSN in the country.

Yoshie Tsukamoto’s congratulatory address (English translation) 

 

During the second session, Japan Tennis Association (JTA) Vice President Toshiro Sakai ’70 received the Award for Distinguished Service to Sports. After entering Waseda’s former Department of Physical Education in the School of Education in 1966, Sakai spent his first year as a Tennis club member, working diligently to become the team captain in his fourth year. He went on to win multiple singles and doubles matches at the All Japan Tennis Championships, going on to reach the third round in the Grand Slam Tournaments (The French Open, the US Open, and Wimbledon). At the 1974 Asian Games held in Tehran, Iran, Sakai became a triple crown winner with his gold-medal victories in singles, doubles, and team matches. After retiring from tennis, Sakai utilized his skills and experience as a member of the Japan Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams, and currently serves as the vice president of the JTA.

Toshiro Sakai’s congratulatory address (English translation)

 

In the third session, the Award for Distinguished Service to Art was presented to prolific Japanese writer Haruki Murakami ‘75. After graduation from Waseda’s School of Letters, Arts and Sciences I, Murakami went on to make his debut as an author with his novel Hear the Wind Sing, which won the 22nd Gunzo Prize for New Writers in 1979. After a string of popular novels, including the best-selling Norwegian Wood (1987) and 1Q84 (2011), Murakami solidified his place as a world-renowned author and forerunner of modern Japanese literature. Among countless awards under his belt, Murakami was also the first to receive the Waseda University Tsubouchi Shoyo Award in 2007.

Haruki Murakami’s Speech (English Translation)
(Note: The above translated speech will be available to view until Oct 31, 2021.)

 

The fourth session was attended by Yoshihiko Shimizu, representative director of SMBC Nikko Securities. Shimizu, who graduated from the School of Commerce, currently serves as the president of the Waseda University Finance Alumni Association.

Yoshihiko Shimizu’s congratulatory address (English translation)

 

Hirofumi Nomoto, board chairman and representative director of Tokyu Corporation, attended the ceremony’s fifth session, giving his congratulatory address to the new students. He is also currently a member of Waseda’s Congregation.

Hirofumi Nomoto’s congratulatory address (English translation)

Photo Gallery

Waseda Live

April 1, 2021 (Thu), First Session

School of Political Science and Economics; School of Law

https://youtu.be/rj2tYn6Sfuc

April 1, 2021 (Thu), Second Session

School of Education; School of Sport Sciences, School of International Liberal Studies

https://youtu.be/d5phBNx1qTM

April 1, 2021 (Thu), Third Session

School of Culture, Media and Society; School of Humanities and Social Sciences

https://youtu.be/9urOXIaWRfw

April 2, 2021 (Fri), Fourth Session

School of Commerce; School of Social Sciences; School of Human Sciences (including Online Degree Program)

https://youtu.be/eszuT2JJH1k

April 2, 2021 (Fri), Fifth Session

School of Fundamental Science and Engineering; School of Creative Science and Engineering; School of Advanced Science and Engineering

https://youtu.be/DUv2p5mOZHk

April 2, 2021 (Fri), Sixth Session

All graduate schools:
Graduate School of Political Science; Graduate School of Economics; Graduate School of Law; Graduate School of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Graduate School of Commerce; Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering; Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering; Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering; Graduate School of Education; Graduate School of Human Sciences; Graduate School of Social Sciences; Graduate School of Sport Sciences; Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies; Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics; Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems; Waseda Law School; Graduate School of Accountancy; Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering; Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies; Graduate School of Business and Finance

https://youtu.be/L4_Dp7lUkXk