New Year’s Greetings from President Tanaka
Thu, Jan 1, 2026-
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To welcome the New Year, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you all.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support for the activities of Waseda University.
On Homecoming Day last October, we held the opening ceremony for the 150th Anniversary Project. As Waseda University looks beyond its 150th anniversary in 2032 toward the year 2050, we are once again returning to our founding principles and reaffirming our commitment to leading the transformation of Japanese society through research, education, and social contribution.
The 150th Anniversary Project aims to share with both members of the University community and the wider public the progress of Waseda’s ongoing efforts and reforms as we move toward this envisioned future.
As one step along this path, Waseda University applied last year for designation as a University for International Research Excellence under the Japan University Fund initiative promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The results of the review were announced on December 19th, and, regrettably, Waseda University was not selected for this designation.
Nevertheless, through our two attempts over the past three years to achieve this designation, we have articulated a comprehensive vision for institutional reform, developed over this period leading up to the end of 2025. This vision constitutes a profoundly meaningful first step in the 150th Anniversary Project. Moreover, we have come to firmly believe that, by steadily advancing in accordance with this vision, Waseda University will one day be recognized worldwide as a leading university. For this reason, we have no regrets about having taken on this challenge.
We earnestly ask for your continued cooperation and support as we pursue further university reform.
In closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for your ongoing goodwill and sincerely hope that the coming year will be one of even greater fulfillment and success for you all.
Waseda University President
New Year’s Day, 2026
