Changing Campus and Its Era

Memorable events in 1971

• McDonalds Japan opened its first hamburger restaurant in Ginza
• All the programs of NHK General Television started to broadcast in color
• Launch of Nissin “Cup Noodle”
• Start of animated TV series “Lupin the Third Part I”

 
Hit songs from 1971
“Watashi no Jokamachi” by Rumiko Koyanagi
“Mata Au Hi Made” by Kiyohiko Ozaki

Photos

• View of the campus with the Liberal Arts Building (later called Building A) at the center, depicted in the Student Song as “Up ahead, shining in brilliant white is our school”
• Tabidachi-no-niwa (Garden of Departure), with Matsukaze Camp Lodge (left), later called as Matsukaze Center, behind the transmission tower and the Laboratory Building (right)

Exhibits

• University Co-op’s “member’s certificate” and “part-time staff registration” issued in the founding year of the University
• Japanese teacup and ash tray made as a souvenir commemorating Takiyama Festival
• Post card sold at the University Co-op shop
• Music record of the Soka University Student Song and other songs popular among Soka students

Map

Illustrated map that appeared in “Shuukan Soka Life (Weekly Soka Life)” in 1976.

Memorable events in 1979

• The Space Invaders game became widely popular
• The starting fare for the National Railways (present Japan Railways) was increased to 100 yen
• Start of animated TV series “Doraemon”
• The famous “Enatsu’s 21 pitches” in a game between Hiroshima and Kintetsu, the Japan Series of professional baseball

Hit songs from 1979
“Love is Calling Me” by Judy Ongg
“YOUNG MAN” by Hideki Saijo

Photos

• With the opening of the Main Gate (in 1976) and the Central Library (in 1968), the area where students come and go largely expanded toward the east area
• Cafeteria Loire beside the Central Gymnasium

Exhibits

• Postcard postmarked at the simple post office established on campus
• Flyers advertising the B1 cafeteria and F1 cafeteria run by the University Co-op
• Commemorative medal issued to celebrate the completion of the Central Library

Map

Illustrated map published on “Genten kara no Hisho (Soaring from the Origin)” (1980)

Memorable events in 1988

• Completion of the Seikan Tunnel and the Great Seto Bridge
• Opening of Tokyo Dome
• Nintendo’s video game sofware “Dragon Quest III” became a blockbuster hit
• The annual New Words and Buzzwords Awards: 

“Perestroika” 
“Koyoi ha kokomade ni (that will be it for tonight)”
 
Hit songs from 1988
“Paradise Ginga” by Hikaru GENJI
“MUGO-n … Iroppoi” by Shizuka Kudo
 

Photos

• The baseball field was moved to Taiyo-no-oka (Hill of the Sun) due to the construction of Soka Women’s College (established in 1985). Progress can be seen in the 20th anniversary construction projects including the Ikeda Auditorium
• The Shirayuri Camp Lodge often used for various school events and meetings

Exhibits

• Cassette tape containing recordings of the Soka University Student Song and Soyu-kai Song
• Pamphlet of the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. The museum used to be affiliated to Soka University when it was first established
• Cap that was handed out as a souvenir
• A souvenir of a pennant presented at the Soka Alumni Group General Meeting

Map

Campus map included in the essay collection published to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the University Co-op (1986)

Memorable events in 1995

• The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Tokyo subway sarin attack of Aum Shinrikyo religious group 
• Launch of Windows95
• Launch of PHS services by NTT Personal and DDI Pocket
• Hideo Nomo was awarded the “Rookie of the Year” in the U.S. Major League Baseball

 
Hit songs from 1995
“Love Love Love” by Dreams Come True
“WOW WAR TONIGHT” by H Jungle with T
 

Photos

• Along with the addition of major facilities like the Ikeda Auditorium and Faculty of Engineering Building, Shinseiki-bashi (Shinseiki Bridge) was opened on the path to Taiyo-no-oka
• The Soka Festival closing event held at the Open-air Concert Hall. The fireworks were one of the most popular features of Soka Festival.

Exhibits

• University introduction videos were distributed in the form of VHS video cassettes
• Commemorative medal issued to celebrate the completion of Shinseiki-bashi (Shinseiki Bridge) 
• Student ID cards were changed from paper cards to magnetic strip cards in AY1995
• Pre-paid card used at the University Co-op cafeterias
• A medal commemorating the inauguration of the Ikeda Auditorium

Map

Campus map issued in 1994

Memorable events in 2005

• Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan opened
• The Kyoto Protocol came into effect, “Cool Biz”
• The voice actors/actresses playing in the animated TV series “Doraemon” were all alternated 

 
Hit songs from 2005
“Seishun Amigo” by Shuji and Akira
“Sakura” by Ketsumeishi

Photos

• The blooming spring campus. The Central Tower was completed on top of Roman-no-oka
• The Tsukimi-no-hashi (Tsukimi Bridge) and Tomodochi-no-Niwa (Tomodochi Garden) connecting the Liberal Arts Building (Building A) and large classroom building (Welfare Building)

Exhibits

• The Central Gymnasium was demolished and pieces of its floor material, tiles and drop curtain were handed out in its memory
• Signs that used to be put up at the two student dorms since the founding of the University: Takiyama (Men’s) Dormitory and Toyoda (Women’s) Dormitory (latter was closed in 2004)

Map

Campus map included in the 32nd Soka Festival pamphlet (2002)

Memorable events in 2016

• Animated movie film “Kimi no Na wa (Your Name)” became a smash hit
  Popular comedy manga series “Kochi Kame (shortened title name of the manga)” published in Weekly Shonen Jump ended
  Professional baseball team Hiroshima Toyo Carp won the Central League for the first time in 25 years
  Pop idol group SMAP got disbanded

Hit songs from 2016
“Zen, zen, zen-se” by RADWIMPS
“Koi” by Gen Hoshino

Photos

• With the establishment of Sodai Gate, Global Square and the Faculty of Nursing Building, the campus celebrated its 45th anniversary
• A sign reading “Soka University” based on calligraphy by the University Founder, Daisaku Ikeda was put up at the Global Square main entrance 

Exhibits

• Crystal plaques of Global Square distributed as souvenirs
• Eco-bags, magnets, and key-holders made as souvenirs for Soka University’s founding 50th anniversary

Map

Map of notable sites in Soka University campus created by Ikeda Research Institute for Soka Education (IRISE)

Take a photo of yourself in front of this panel! Feel and enjoy the feeling of being a hero of the Ekiden Marathon.