On January 4 (Saturday), the Annual New Year’s Meal for International Students took place at Soka University’s New Loire Cafeteria, participated in by international students studying at Soka University, along with foreign exchange professors.

This event is held every year with the purpose of providing an opportunity for international students and exchange professors that spend New Year in Japan to experience a Japanese traditional New Year holiday. This occasion marked the 19th event. The first year saw approximately 30 participants, but with the increase of international students, approximately 250 people participated this year.
Board of Trustees Chair Yasunori Tashiro, President Yoshihisa Baba, and staff of the International Affairs Office served traditional Japanese New Year cuisine such as osechi ryori and ozoni, as well as sushi, and everyone shared their New Year culture from their respective countries. At the New Year party, there were singing and dancing performances as well as a lottery. The participants had a joyful time.

Comments from the international students that participated in this event were as follows.
“I am grateful that they provided halal food for us Muslim students. I am so happy to feel and experience New Year in Japan together with my fellow international students and friends.”

“We enjoyed the osechi ryori and ozoni. The performances were also very joyful. I appreciate the staff of the International Affairs Office for all the preparations.”