2026 Academic Year J. F. Oberlin University Fall Semester Entrance Ceremony ~'Set Your Own Questions, Refine and Sharpen Yourself'~

Today, Wednesday, September 16th, the entrance ceremony for the 2026 Fall Semester was held at the Ikikando Chapel on J. F. Oberlin University Machida Campus.

The campus was gently wrapped in a moist drizzle that signaled the arrival of autumn.

At the beginning of the address, President Hiroaki Hatayama said, "Rain washes away one thing from the past and brings a new feeling," the rain became a "rain of blessings" for new students, including international students who gathered across borders, where their efforts and hardships were rewarded and they took a new step forward with a renewed spirit.

This time, the number of admitted students was 37 for bachelor's students and 14 for master's and doctoral programs, totaling 51 students. Nineteen students enrolled in the Institute for Japanese Language and Culture (Institute for Japanese Language and Culture) held at the same time. During the hymn singing and choir, the wonderful voice of the choir and the sound of the pipe organ added splendor to the ceremony, and Mr. Daizo Uehara of College of Performing and Visual Arts took the student oath on behalf of the incoming students.

In his commencement address, President Hatayama delivered a message to the new students about their upcoming university life.

First, he emphasized the importance of "having goals." Regarding the essence of learning at university, he stressed, "Until now, it may have mainly been about answering questions that were given to you, but from now on it will be a proactive activity where you 'formulate your own questions and answer them.'" Touching on the freedom to design your own learning and the responsibility that comes with it, he encouraged students to build an unwavering "own values, mental foundation, and beliefs" through all their experiences, including extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.

Finally, he cited "a sense of personal growth" as the most important thing to value during university life. He said that not only knowledge and skills, but also the feeling that one's perspective has broadened and that one has become more proactive, will be the driving force that supports one's long life after graduation.