As we welcome the new year of 2019 into our lives, I sincerely wish for everyone’s health and happiness.

Soka University opened its doors in 1971 based on the founding principles of: “Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education,” “Be the cradle of a new culture,” and “Be a fortress for the peace of humankind.” Ever since we have been engaged in fostering “creative global citizens” that can produce new values on a global stage. As we strove to achieve our goals upheld by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Top Global University Project, we received the highest appraisal of “S” in the interim appraisal of February last year.

date, we have tied academic exchange agreements with 209 universities in 60 countries and regions around the world. Approximately 60% of our students have studied abroad and participated in various international exchange programs, while we welcomed approximately 730 international students on a yearly basis. We have been able to realize a campus rich in international culture where various students can learn together.

In the field of research, we are also engaged in solutions to social issues so as to contribute to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) upheld by the United Nations, including our activities with Plankton Engineering in aim to build a sustainable recycling-based society in Ethiopia, Africa and with the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), which creates new industries while improving the water quality environment in developing nations via microalgae.

Students are also showing remarkable achievements in a variety of fields, winning a championship in a university competition in the Economics Records Examination, a Gold Medal in the World University Cheerleading Championship, a Gold Award at the All-Japan Band Competition, and championships in various business contests, and participating in international conferences and international exchange projects sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
Now is the time to put the finishing touches on Soka University’s Grand Design, which aims toward 2021 and which will mark the 50th anniversary of the university’s founding.

Based on the founding principles shared by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, our founder, all faculty members and staff are determined to make greater efforts this year so that each student can reach their full potential via all our campuses, which are rich with diversity. I express my sincere appreciation for all of your support again this year.

Yoshihisa Baba
Soka University President
January 2019