On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the 32nd Entrance Ceremony of Ritsumeikan Uji Senior High School was held, and the school welcomed 420 new students.

In his address, Principal Hirohisa Yokozawa introduced “GRIT” as a mindset he hopes students will value in these unpredictable times. GRIT refers to the strength and attitude to persistently strive toward one’s goals, and is an acronym for Guts, Resilience, Initiative, and Tenacity.

Among these, he emphasized that Initiative is particularly important in today’s world, where AI is rapidly advancing. He explained that personal growth comes from taking action based on one’s own interests, setting personal goals and challenging oneself, not choosing the easy path but facing difficulties, and rising again after failure. Furthermore, he noted that such proactive behavior spreads to others and becomes a powerful force. He concluded by offering words of encouragement to the new students, expressing his hope that they will take on challenges with courage and see things through to the end.

Next, student representative Koki Nakai delivered the pledge. He expressed his great anticipation for new encounters and stated his determination to grow into a person capable of succeeding on a global stage by engaging in global learning at this school, experiencing diverse values, and broadening his perspective. He also concluded firmly by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to pursue both academics and extracurricular activities in this excellent environment and his commitment to achieving a balance between the two.

In the customary welcome event for new students, the cheerleading club and brass band club delivered vibrant performances, greatly energizing the venue. The new students appeared to further heighten their expectations for the high school life that lies ahead.

Finally, homeroom teachers were introduced, and the new students took their first steps forward while reflecting on the school life that awaits them.

High school life will finally begin tomorrow. These three years will pass in the blink of an eye. We hope that the students will actively take on various challenges and spend fulfilling days ahead.