2018 Spring Graduate Matriculation Ceremony Held

Date of activity: April 12, 2018

The University of Tokyo AY 2018 Spring graduate matriculation ceremony was held at the Nippon Budokan on the afternoon of Thursday, April 12th.

Approximately 2,600 new students and 3,200 of their family members (over 5,800 people in total) attended the ceremony.

Prior to the ceremony, the Athletic Foundation’s Cheer Squad entertained the attendees with spirited cheer routines, followed by the University of Tokyo Orchestra’s rendition of Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Overture.” President Makoto Gonokami, the executive vice presidents, deans of the Faculties and Graduate Schools and the directors of University Institutes then advanced towards the stage, along with special guest Professor Yoshinori Tokura, Distinguished University Professor of the University of Tokyo and director of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS).

The ceremony began with the singing and musical performance of the University of Tokyo’s signature song, “Oozora to (With the Open Sky)” by the Orchestra, male chorus group Chor Akademie, and female chorus group Coro Letizia. President Gonokami then addressed the audience, followed by a speech from Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering Tatsuya Okubo. Dr. Tokura then gave a celebratory message to the new students and their families. Next, Mr. Yusuke Tsuzuku, a student in the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, took an oath on behalf of the entire incoming class. The ceremony concluded with the musical performance and singing of another prominent University song, “Tada Hitotsu (The Only One),” led by the Cheer Squad and performed by everyone in attendance, including the new students.