As a yearly event held by the university for international students to experience Japanese New Year, “New Year’s Party” was held at Soka University’s New Loire Cafeteria on Monday, January 1st. International students who are staying at dormitories over the holiday were invited and about 300 students participated.
　This marked the 17th time and not only international students, foreign exchange and invited professors and their families celebrated together with Mr. Yasunori Tashiro, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, President Yoshihisa Baba, and Soka Women’s College President Keiko Ishikawa.

　At each table, while eating Japanese traditional New Year’s meal, many international students talked about the differences of how they celebrate New Year’s in their home country and Japan. During the party, there were dance and singing performances by international students, followed by the yearly anticipated lottery event.
　An international student from the United States of America said, “In the U.S., the New Year’s is mostly celebrated by big parties, but in Japan, I heard New Year’s is celebrated with family and friends while enjoying traditional Japanese food. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for the staff and Founder Ikeda for preparing for this event.”