The Emotional Farewell at Nihon University's Graduation Ceremony

On March 25, 2026, at the iconic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Nihon University held its annual graduation ceremony, where over 10,000 students received their diplomas. In a poignant moment, Chairperson Mari Hayashi delivered a speech that marked not just the send-off for the graduates but also her own impending departure from the institution. Hayashi, the university's first female chairperson, reflected on the turbulent times the university had endured, stating, "Nihon University truly faced a time of confusion." She highlighted the challenges, including executive mishandlings and scandals, but emphasized the progress made.

With a fighting pose metaphor drawn from the graduates' determination, Hayashi said, "I too took the fighting pose and worked on reforms with Nihon University for 4 years. And I will leave this university 3 months after you all. Let's meet again somewhere." This announcement, confirming her retirement at the end of June 2026, three months after the graduates, underscored her commitment to seeing through the final stages of her term.

Mari Hayashi's Journey to the Chairmanship

Mari Hayashi, born in 1954, is a celebrated Japanese novelist best known for her 1996 Naoki Prize-winning work Yamai no Susume (Recommendations for Illness). A graduate of Nihon University's Faculty of Art, she brought a unique external perspective to the role when appointed in July 2022. Her selection came amid a series of scandals that had plagued the university, including the tax evasion conviction of her predecessor, Hidetoshi Tanaka, who evaded approximately 52 million yen in income taxes.

As head of the Japan Writers Association and with no prior administrative experience in higher education, Hayashi was tasked with restoring trust and implementing governance reforms. Her appointment as the first woman in this position symbolized a push for diversity, with the new board featuring nine female councilors out of 22 members—a significant step toward gender balance in leadership.

Key Reforms Implemented During Hayashi's Tenure

Hayashi's four-year term focused on transparency and organizational refreshment. One major initiative was the "system reforms," which included publicizing board meeting minutes promptly and diversifying executive roles. She advocated for the "activation and transparency of the board," addressing long-standing criticisms of opaque decision-making.

Notable achievements include the partial resumption of private university subsidies from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), which had been suspended for two years due to prior scandals. Additionally, general entrance exam applicants surpassed 110,000 for the first time in six years, signaling a recovery in enrollment appeal amid Japan's declining birthrate crisis affecting private universities. For context, Nihon University, Japan's largest private institution with around 70,000 students across 16 colleges and multiple campuses, relies heavily on tuition fees, which constitute about 41-44% of its revenue.

These efforts were part of a broader strategy to rebuild the university's reputation, though progress was incremental. Hayashi often reiterated that reforms were ongoing, denying resignation rumors even amid crises.

Persistent Challenges and Scandals

Despite reforms, Hayashi's tenure was overshadowed by recurring issues. Nihon University has a history of high-profile scandals, from the 2018 American football intentional injury incident to executive financial misconduct. In 2023, a marijuana scandal involving the American football team erupted: four players were arrested for illegal drug use, leading to the team's official disbandment in January 2024.

The executive response drew sharp criticism for chaos and governance failures. A third-party committee investigated, resulting in reduced salaries for top officials but no resignations initially. This fueled public and media scrutiny, with Vice President suing the president for power harassment related to the handling. Other incidents included a 2025 weightlifting coach fraud case defrauding scholarship students and recent exam scoring errors in engineering admissions.

These events compounded financial pressures, as subsidy suspensions impacted operations. Hayashi acknowledged the "toughest period" but maintained that her efforts laid groundwork for stability. Read more on the drug scandal's aftermath in this Yomiuri Shimbun analysis.

Focus on the American Football Drug Scandal

The 2023 incident involved players using marijuana, prompting arrests and investigations. The university's delayed and disjointed response—initial denials followed by admissions—highlighted governance gaps. MEXT's subsidy halt exacerbated budget strains, with the university posting stable but challenged finances, student fees at ¥111-112 billion annually.

• Four players arrested; team disbanded after probe.
• Executive pay cuts, but no top resignations initially.
• VP-president lawsuit over harassment claims.
• Contributed to subsidy suspension renewal discussions.

Hayashi defended the measures as per third-party recommendations, stating reforms were midway. This scandal tested her leadership, mirroring earlier issues like the 2018 foul play case that led to national outrage.

Introducing the Successor: Taiichiro Seki

The Chairman Recommendation Committee, including external experts, nominated Taiichiro Seki (関泰一郎, 62) on March 18, 2026. A Nihon University alumnus (1986 master's in agricultural sciences), Seki has been a professor in the College of Bioresource Sciences since 2011 and its dean since April 2024. His expertise lies in nutrition and physiology, with lectureships at institutions like the University of Tokyo.

Seki's internal profile contrasts Hayashi's external celebrity status, signaling a shift to academic leadership continuity. Formal approval is set for the June board meeting, with assumption in July 2026. His selection emphasizes stability post-reforms. Details on the university's announcement available here.

The Leadership Transition Process

Nihon University's process involved a dedicated recommendation committee reporting to the board. This structured approach, refined under Hayashi, aims to prevent past opaque selections. Seki's nomination reflects priorities for expertise in core faculties amid enrollment recovery—2026 applicants showed positive trends, with general selection figures rising.

Stakeholders, including alumni and faculty, await Seki's vision. Hayashi's farewell ensures a smooth handover, allowing her to oversee subsidy restorations and applicant gains.

Impacts on Nihon University and Enrollment Trends

With ~70,000 students, Nihon U faces Japan's private sector woes: birthrate decline led to 10% applicant drops pre-Hayashi. Recent data shows rebound, with 2026 early figures up. Finances stabilized, but scandals eroded trust. Reforms boosted women in leadership, potentially aiding diversity goals.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook

Media views Hayashi sympathetically for navigating crises, with some calling her tenure the "toughest." Faculty praise governance tweaks; students mixed on scandal handling. Under Seki, expectations include sustained reforms, research focus via bioresources strengths, and enrollment strategies against demographic headwinds.

Explore Japan higher ed careers at higher-ed-jobs or Japan-specific opportunities via AcademicJobs Japan.

Photo by DuoNguyen on Unsplash

Broader Implications for Japanese Higher Education

This transition highlights governance evolution in private universities, where scandals prompt external hires like Hayashi. Amid MEXT pressures for transparency, Nikudai's case exemplifies reform needs. With subsidies tied to compliance, stable leadership is key. Japan's 622 private universities (76.8% of total) enroll 78% undergrads, facing similar enrollment crunches.

Positive signs: Nikudai's applicant surge suggests recovery possible through accountability. For insights on Japanese university rankings and jobs, check university-jobs.

Full Asahi coverage of the speech here.