The ceremony was held this year as 2025 marks 155 years since our founder Saionji Kinmochi established a private academy called Ritsumeikan, and 125 years since his protege Kojuro Nakagawa founded the Kyoto Hosei School, a private school that was the predecessor of Ritsumeikan University.

In the first part of the ceremony, Nobuhiro Suyama, concertmaster of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Ritsumeikan University Symphony Orchestra performed Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35.1st Movement with the cooperation of a foundation called Classical Music Concerts for One Million People.
This was followed by an ikebana performance by Senko Ikenobo, the Headmaster Designate of the Ikenobo School of flower arrangement. The audience was mesmerized by how Ikenobo arranged flowers branch by branch in her powerful performance that was beautifully timed to the Ritsumeikan University Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 – IV. Finale, conducted by Kentarozaemon Nakahashi.

In the second part, Chancellor Tomomi Morishima made a speech on behalf of the organizers, in which he expressed his determination that "Ritsumeikan, in order to become one of the world's top research universities and an academy rooted in inquisitiveness in the next milestone year of 2050, will create creative intellect forged by diverse learning connected with the world from the primary and secondary levels of education, and it will be different from traditional Japanese research universities in that it will be a super multipurpose university and academy.
Next, Kazuhiko Yano, the Senior Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of Minister Toshiko Abe, which noted that Ritsumeikan University was selected for the Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities while Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was selected for the Multicultural Campus Project Toward Social Impact. The address expressed high expectations for Ritsumeikan to continue making strides as it aims to become a next-generation research university and a next-generation academy rooted in inquisitiveness.

This was followed by a commemorate lecture by Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko entitled “Studying Kyoto, Studying in Kyoto.” In her lecture, Princess Akiko, who introduced the interviews she conducted with artisans in Kyoto, said, "Tradition is not something to be preserved, but something that remains. We should not only preserve culture for the future, but also make the most of it. I hope that those who study at Ritsumeikan will spread their wings as the bearers of Kyoto's living culture.”

In his greeting, Chancellor Yoshio Nakatani expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported Ritsumeikan throughout its long history. He stated that “the integrated model in which research, education, and social contribution work together to create new value embodies the ideal form of a research university that Ritsumeikan strives to become.”He then concluded the ceremony by proclaiming that “Ritsumeikan University aims to become a world-class research university over the next 25 years, leading up the 150th anniversary of its founding.”

An exhibition entitled "The Ideas of Saionji Kinmochi and Ritsumeikan" was also held at the Kyoto International Conference Hall as means to pass on the legacy of Ritsumeikan’s founding father. The exhibition attracted the attention of visitors with materials such as the “Second Draft of the Imperial Rescript on Education,” said to have been drafted by Saionji Kinmochi himself, documents related to Nakagawa Kojuro, and historical records illustrating the evolution of Ritsumeikan's educational philosophy after the war.

Ritsumeikan also held a "Next Generation Research University Seminar" to introduce the cutting-edge research that the university is currently engaged in. Vice President Sayaka Ogawa presided over the seminar, which featured lectures by Professor Kazuto Saiki, Director of the Ritsumeikan Earth & Space Exploration Center, and Professor Takeshi Nakagawa, Director of the Research Center for Paleoclimatology, giving a sense of the cutting-edge research being conducted at Ritsumeikan University, from lunar development to the origin of agriculture.

The “Ritsumeikan TanQ Park” event also took place, where Ritsumeikan University, APU, and the affiliated schools presented interactive exhibits and ran hands-on booths under the concept of a “knowledge theme park,” offering people of all ages an opportunity to freely experience inquiry-based learning and cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research. Around 2,150 visitors attended the event, where creative displays showcased Ritsumeikan University’s most advanced research in an engaging, accessible way.
Every booth was lively and filled with participants, reflecting the enthusiasm and curiosity the event inspired across all ages.

In a separate venue within the Kyoto International Conference Center, a special event was held for graduates who were unable to celebrate their graduation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Entitled the “AY2019 Year Re:Union Commencement Ceremony and Party for March 2020 Graduates,” the long-awaited celebration took place five years after their original graduation. Approximately 590 alumni attended the ceremony, where graduation certificates and diplomas were presented to representatives of the graduating class. Ritsumeikan University President Yoshio Nakatani and Ritsumeikan Alumni Association President Daisaku Kadokawa took the stage to extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the graduates as they embarked once again on new journeys.

Under the theme “Re:Union — Connecting, Sharing, and Shaping the Future,” the All Ritsumeikan Alumni Gathering 2025 was held concurrently with the anniversary ceremony and commemorative events, drawing more than 1,000 alumni from across Japan.

Altogether, over 3,000 participants, including alumni, students, faculty, and guests, gathered at the Kyoto International Conference Center to celebrate the 155th anniversary of Ritsumeikan’s founding and the 125th anniversary of the Academy’s founding. It was a truly memorable day and invaluable experience for everyone involved.

Building on its proud history, Ritsumeikan remains committed to continuing its endless pursuit of taking on challenges while envisioning the future. We invite you to look forward to the next chapter in Ritsumeikan’s journey.

* Titles and executive positions current as of the day of the event.