Announcement of the appointment of Soka University New Chairperson, Board of Trustees

Soka University (Hachioji, Tokyo) has appointed former Vice Chairperson, Board of Trustees Yoshihide Akiya as the new Chairperson, Board of Trustees on June 27, 2025, and took office on the same date. His term of office will expire at the end of the 2028 Ordinary Board of Trustees. Yasunori Tashiro Chairperson, Board of Trustees was appointed as an advisor to the Corporation on the same date.

profile

Yoshihide Akiya
Born in Tokyo in January 1958

【Biography】
March 1980 Graduated from Soka University Faculty of Letters
April 1980 Joined Soka University
April 2004 Councilor, Secretary General of the University
October 2006 Director
June 2018 Secretary General of the Headquarters
April 2022 Deputy Chairperson, Board of Trustees

Greeting

My name is Yoshihide Akiya, and I have been appointed as the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of Soka University.

This year marks the 54th anniversary of Soka University's founding since its founding in 1971. I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude for the tradition and achievements that our students, faculty and staff have built up under the Founding Spirit presented by our founder, Sensei Daisaku Ikeda. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all the alumni, donors, and other stakeholders who have supported our university with the same aspirations.

As we approach our 100th anniversary, the time has come for us to embark on a new voyage together with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders. In a world that is becoming increasingly divided and confused, and in a Japan that is facing the major challenge of a declining birthrate, I believe that now is the time to truly demonstrate the spirit of "Soka" - "value creation" - that our founder spoke of creating value that is necessary for society, providing healthy value, and giving back to society.

Returning to the three mottos of "Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education," "Be the cradle of a new culture," and "Be a fortress that protects the peace of mankind," we will fulfill the mission of establishing Soka University through the development of "global citizens" who practice value creation.

Specifically, under the unwavering guidelines of "students first" and "a university for students," we will support students who learn autonomously in terms of education and research from the faculty, and in terms of the learning environment and student life from the administrative staff, and we will maintain our reputation as a university with high student satisfaction. As per the statement "Discover Your Potential," we will do our utmost to create a campus where students can discover their own potential at our university, realize their dreams, and feel that they are "glad to have studied at Soka University," and experience their own growth.

In addition, taking advantage of the internationality of Top Global University Project, we will promote the acceptance of international students, study abroad programs, and international joint research based on academic exchange agreements with 272 universities in 70 countries and regions around the world. We will focus on fostering human resources with a global perspective and practical skills, and will continue to work tirelessly toward the realization of a peaceful and sustainable society with the aim of building a global hub for human education.

It is my sincere hope that together with the faculty, staff, students, and all stakeholders, we can write a new chapter in the history of Soka University. I would like to sincerely ask for your continued support and guidance.