Research, Education, and Contribution.
Together, we take on the challenge of a brighter future.

Waseda University will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2032. A press conference was held in October 2024 just before the launch of the Waseda University 150th Anniversary Project, which is now in full swing. President Aiji Tanaka took the stage with Seiji Nakata, who chairs the Waseda University 150th Anniversary Project Promotion Committee, to give a general overview of the commemorative initiatives.

Waseda University 150th Anniversary Project

Returning to Waseda’s founding spirit and aiming to contribute to humankind throughout the world

President Aiji Tanaka spoke about the scenario for realizing what the University should look like after 2032.

In the words of Shigenobu Okuma, the founder of Waseda University: “Do not think only of your own interest, your family’s interest, or the interests of your country alone, but be ambitious to contribute to humankind throughout the world.” This sums up the founding spirit of Waseda. The University will return to this spirit and develop its Waseda University 150^th Anniversary Project to evolve into a university that contributes to humankind throughout the world.

The commemorative project consists of three pillars: original research that contributes to humanity, education to cultivate people of high aptitude, and contribution to society, which is the ultimate goal. As “control towers” for these, in addition to the Global Education Center (GEC), established in 2013 for university-wide education, the Global Research Center (GRC), which promotes research with social impact, and the Global Citizenship Center (GCC), which serves as a flagship for our vision of contributing to humanity, were established in April 2024.

Waseda University’s comprehensive knowledge demonstrated through research, education, and contribution

Our approach to research focuses on issues that will contribute to humankind throughout the world. First, the vision of contribution that we aim to realize encompasses people (saving lives during natural disasters), the world (a world without wars and conflicts) and the Earth (finding solutions to climate change). We will take advantage of the University’s various resources, including its advanced achievements in the field of robotics and its network of international organizations and companies. We will also present a methodology based on a convergence of knowledge that fuses the humanities and sciences and, as a comprehensive university, promote the implementation of breakthrough and co-creative research in society.

In education, the GEC has developed a university-wide integrated education program to nurture the foundation of a convergence of knowledge. The core of academic literacy is data science, mathematics, information technology, academic writing, and English. For example, in data science, we are building programs that meet the demands of a changing society. In 2019, we introduced courses on AI-based big data analysis. In addition, we have introduced a cross-faculty minor system as well as English-based undergraduate programs that allow students to earn a degree only in English, and we have developed a system for fostering interdisciplinary and international people of high aptitude.

In terms of contribution, we will work with the GEC to strengthen education targeting self-competence and with the GRC to strengthen the formation and promotion of shared vision units. We are currently hosting five students from Ukraine and hope to continue to expand our circle of social　contribution through refugee relief, regional contribution, and urban revitalization.

The Waseda University mission statement is “independence of scholarship,” “practical application of scholarship,” and the “fostering of good citizens.” The vision for the 150th Anniversary Project is to apply these principles to research, education, and contribution.

Realizing Japan’s AX with the determination to lead social change

In order to realize a commemorative project consisting of these three pillars, it is also essential to improve the institutional environment and structure. By strengthening our overseas network and establishing an international brain circulation system, we intend to have all undergraduate students study abroad by 2032. In addition, in order to increase our international competitiveness, we will hire faculty members with outstanding research achievements through international open recruitment and improved compensation. Furthermore, by 2040, all full-time faculty hires will be contingent on the ability to conduct research and teach in a language other than Japanese (primarily English).

The campus will also be reformed to create a global-level research and education environment. In 2027, E Tower (provisional name), which is under construction on the former site of Building 9 on the Waseda Campus, is scheduled to be put into use. Four buildings on the Nishiwaseda Campus will also be demolished and reconstructed to expand educational functions and experiment facilities, which will be put into use sequentially by 2032. Under the policy of linking high school and university, Waseda University Senior High School, which is strengthening its thesis writing and mathematics education, is developing the Kamishakujii Campus, aiming toward the highest-level educational environment.

In October 2025, we will launch the Waseda University 150^th Anniversary Project Promotion Committee to actively support the commemorative project by widely communicating our vision of Waseda in the future. The promotion committee is chaired by Seiji Nakata, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Daiwa Securities Group, Inc., and a graduate of the School of Political Science and Economics. We have asked for Mr. Nakata’s assistance in grasping a wide range of areas, starting with finance.

Waseda University will realize Japan’s AX (academic transformation). We are ready to take on the challenge of evolving the state of research and education in Japan and driving social change, and we look forward to your understanding and cooperation in this endeavor.

Business Leaders Participate in University Reform

Wanting to contribute to advancing the presence of Japanese universities, at universities where the future generation gathers

Seiji Nakata, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Daiwa Securities Group, Inc., took the stage and expressed his hopes regarding assuming the position of chairman.

Even before I was offered the position on the Waseda University 150^th Anniversary Project Promotion Committee, I had witnessed President Tanaka’s reforms while serving as Vice President of the Board of Trustees and other positions at Waseda University. His stance of leading Japan by confronting the challenges of modern society head-on while returning to the spirit of the university’s founding strongly resonates with me, and I have accepted this appointment with the hope that I can help achieve it. Universities are places where the young generation, the bearers of the future, gather. I see great potential in their development. This project is different from corporate activities in that it is a university-based project that transcends ideological and cultural boundaries, connecting people to work on a single issue, which is very rewarding.

The Waseda University 150^th Anniversary Project is not simply a celebration of past glories, but rather a vision of what we can contribute to the world beyond the year 2032, looking ahead to the year 2050. It is my sincere hope that Waseda University will pursue its commemorative initiatives and that these efforts will become the path that other Japanese universities aspire to follow and, furthermore, that the presence of Japanese universities in the world will be enhanced.

The first step toward this goal is for alumni to learn about current Waseda University initiatives and become involved in a variety of ways. We ask each and every one of you to join us in supporting this commemorative project.

From left, Miho Saito (Senior Executive Vice President for University Advancement of Waseda University), Aiji Tanaka (President of Waseda University), Seiji Nakata (Chairman of the 150th Anniversary Project Promotion Committee), and Koichi Suga (Provost, Senior Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research Advancement, Industry-Academia Collaboration, and Human Resources of Waseda University)

Hot Topics in Preparation for 2032

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(Reprinted from CAMPUS NOW No.254 2025/1)