On April 7, 2026, Kyoto University held its annual undergraduate entrance ceremony at the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall 'Miyako Messe' in Sakyo Ward, welcoming 2,942 new students across its 10 faculties. This event marked the beginning of their academic journey at one of Japan's most prestigious institutions, known for producing 11 Nobel laureates and fostering a unique culture of academic freedom and self-directed learning. Amid a national higher education landscape grappling with enrollment declines and technological disruptions, President Nagahiro Minato delivered a compelling address that resonated deeply, prompting students and observers to reflect on the fundamental question: What did you enter university for?
The ceremony, attended by faculty, alumni, and families, highlighted Kyoto University's commitment to nurturing independent thinkers. Dr. Yasuhiro Tsujimoto, a 2005 agriculture faculty alumnus and Ph.D. graduate, also spoke, sharing stories from his 3.5 years of research in rural Madagascar, emphasizing the value of venturing into unknown territories. These messages set a tone of introspection and adventure for the incoming class, many of whom will graduate in 2030 amid evolving global challenges.
The President's Call to Authentic Expression
President Minato's speech centered on the critical importance of writing in one's own words, a direct counter to the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and social media's shorthand culture. Drawing from George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, where language is simplified to control thought, Minato warned that overreliance on AI could impoverish human vocabulary and expressive capacity. 'Writing is a process of expressing one's feelings and thoughts, and for that, careful thinking is essential,' he stated, urging students to cultivate this skill as a foundation for original ideas.
This emphasis stems from Kyoto University's long-standing philosophy of academic freedom (gakujutsu no jiyū), which encourages students to pursue knowledge autonomously without rigid directives. In Japan, where AI adoption in education has surged— with tools like ChatGPT topping entrance exams at top universities like the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University itself—Minato's message underscores the need for human creativity. Recent surveys show 86% of Japanese university students using AI for assignments, raising concerns about authenticity in academic work.
For new students, this translates to practical advice: engage in journaling, essays, and debates to sharpen critical thinking. Minato's own experience studying in the United States reinforced his belief that personal expression fuels innovation, a lesson echoed in Kyoto U's history of groundbreaking research from basic curiosity-driven inquiries.
Navigating AI's Double-Edged Sword in Japanese Higher Education
Japan's higher education sector faces unique pressures in 2026, with AI transforming teaching, assessments, and skills demands. President Minato's caution aligns with national debates; in 2023, he similarly warned against AI-generated papers at Kyoto U's ceremony, a stance now amplified as private universities struggle. While AI aids efficiency, it risks eroding foundational skills like writing, which employers value for communication in global teams.
The Mainichi's coverage of the speech highlights how Minato positions writing as essential for thoughtful expression, contrasting AI's templated outputs. In Japan, where graduate enrollment lags at 0.95 per 1,000 people—the lowest among OECD nations—fostering such skills could boost pursuit of advanced degrees, vital for innovation in fields like AI and biotechnology.
- AI excels in rote tasks but falters in nuanced, context-specific writing.
- Students must learn to prompt AI ethically while owning their voice.
- Kyoto U's curriculum integrates AI literacy with humanities to balance tech and humanity.
This approach prepares students for a job market where 'AI-proof' majors like interdisciplinary studies gain traction, as entry-level roles automate.
Embracing Global Experiences for Self-Discovery
A second pillar of Minato's address was the imperative for international exposure. Reflecting on his U.S. research stint, he encouraged travel abroad, collaborations, and cultural immersion to 'experience as many encounters as possible, discover new aspects of yourselves, and find your goals in life.' For Kyoto U's 2026 cohort, this means leveraging programs like the Kyoto University International Service for Life and Environment (KU-ELP) or exchange partnerships with over 100 global institutions.
In Japan, where universities increasingly recruit international students to offset domestic declines—top schools like Kyoto U remain stable while private ones falter—this message promotes outbound mobility. Only 5-10% of Japanese students study abroad annually, compared to 30%+ in the U.S., hindering global competitiveness. Minato's call addresses this, aligning with government pushes for English-taught programs and scholarships.
Real-world example: Tsujimoto's Madagascar fieldwork embodies this, turning isolation into profound insights. New students can start with Kyoto U's short-term overseas internships or language exchanges, building resilience and networks essential for careers in multinational firms.
Alumnus Tsujimoto's Inspiration: Thriving in the Unknown
Complementing the president, Dr. Tsujimoto urged embracing 'unknown worlds' where questions outnumber answers. 'The greatest value of university life lies in challenging oneself... and engaging with different perspectives,' he said, praising Kyoto U's Nobel-winning faculty and fixed tuition allowing exploratory classes. His anecdotes—from no-signal research to perspective-broadening lectures—resonate amid Japan's 'super-aging' society and tech shifts.
This ties to the core query: entering university for knowledge pursuit beyond grades. At Kyoto U, where 47.5% enrollment rate at privates contrasts top publics' selectivity, such stories motivate self-motivated learning.
Kyoto University's Legacy of Academic Freedom
Founded in 1897, Kyoto University embodies 'freedom of scholarship'—no mandatory attendance, professor-led curricula, curiosity-driven research. Home to 11 Nobelists (Asia's most), it produced fields like iPS cells (Shinya Yamanaka, 2012 Nobel). Minato's message reinforces this against conformity, citing 'pluralistic ignorance' where groups accept absurd norms unchallenged.
In 2026, as Japan reforms high schools (N-E.X.T. program) to combat enrollment drops, Kyoto U's model attracts talent. Its graduate schools, despite low national rates, offer WISE programs blending theory/practice for societal issues.
Japan's Higher Education Enrollment Crisis: A Wake-Up Call
While Kyoto U thrives, Japan's universities face existential threats. Birthrate decline shrank 18-year-olds 27% to 460,000 by 2026; 59% private universities missed quotas—a record—risking penalties, mergers, or closures (250 by 2040 planned). Half operate below capacity, especially rural ones.
Official ceremony report underscores top publics' stability via intl recruitment (Kyoto U: 121 new exchange students spring 2026). Government urges vocational shifts, but Minato's focus on purpose counters rote learning critiques.
Finding Purpose: Actionable Insights for New Students
Answering 'What did you enter university for?' requires reflection. Steps:
- Journal weekly: Articulate thoughts sans AI to build clarity.
- Audit classes: Fixed tuition enables curiosity-driven exploration.
- Seek discomfort: Join clubs, study abroad for growth.
- Collaborate globally: Leverage Kyoto U's networks for diverse views.
- Pursue research early: Undergrad labs foster grad school paths.
Stakeholders—professors, alumni—view university as self-discovery arena, not job factory. Amid AI, skills like critical writing differentiate graduates.
Photo by Marcus Loke on Unsplash
Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook
Faculty praise Minato's timeliness; students on social media echo writing/AI concerns. Experts note low grad enrollment hampers innovation—Japan needs more PhDs for AI/biotech leadership.
Outlook: Kyoto U's 2030 grads, shaped by this ethos, poised for impact. As privates consolidate, publics like Kyoto U lead reforms: AI ethics courses, global curricula. Actionable: Explore president's graduate remarks for deeper purpose insights.
Japan's HE evolves toward quality over quantity, with messages like Minato's guiding students to purposeful lives.
