January 22, 2024
Every year, the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ community comes together to commemorate the birthday of Yukichi Fukuzawa, the founder of the university. This year, the celebrations for the 189th anniversary of Yukichi Fukuzawa's birthday were again held at the West School Building Hall on Mita Campus on Wednesday, January 10.
This year's ceremony began with choral performances ofHere Stands Yukichi Fukuzawa, sung by students from the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Yochisha Elementary School and the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Yokohama Elementary School, andNihon no Hokori(Pride of Japan), sung by the Wagner Society Male Chorus. In his new year's greeting, President Kohei Itoh expressed his condolences to the victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and related incidents in Ishikawa Prefecture, and appealed for cooperation in providing support to the many people affected by the disaster, including ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ students and applicants. He also spoke with vigor about how ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡, in 2024, will continue to be united as one in pursuing discussions based on high aspirations in all fields including education, research, medical care, and internationalization, for the development of Japan and the world.
Following that, author Hiroshi Aramata delivered a commemorative lecture titled "My Biography of Fukuzawa." The lecture was very lively as Mr. Aramata analyzed and deciphered Fukuzawa-sensei's philosophy from his own unique perspective, explaining key concepts such as "independence and self-respect" and "honorable character." The lecture will be included in the forthcoming issue ofMita-hyoron, the official monthly journal published by ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Press. We encourage anyone interested to read it when released.
Following the lecture, Hiroyuki Fukuzawa greeted the audience on behalf of the Fukuzawa family. An awards ceremony for the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡-sponsored national high school student essay contest established in honor of Shinzo Koizumi, a former president of the university, followed. It concluded with the singing of the "Juku-ka," ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡'s alma mater.
After the ceremony, a "New Year's Name Card Exchange" was held. In addition, visitors could also be found enjoying the newly opened exhibitions around campus. The ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Museum Commons began its 2024 New Year Exhibition,Where the Dragons Are, and the Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ History Museum opened an exhibition of materials related to ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Senior High School and the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Baseball Club, as well as its 2024 newly acquired items by the Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies.
ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Museum Commons
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Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ History Museum
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Photo: Takeshi Kishi