A Campus Where Everyone Can Feel Safe and Thrive

The DEI&B Statement, developed this academic year, serves as a guiding principle for building a campus where all students, faculty, and staff respect diversity and can study and work with peace of mind as we strive to realize a society in which people can live, with respect, amongst one another.

Until now, the university’s efforts to promote diversity have been based on a 2011 “Declaration on Gender Equality.” As a result of initiatives under this declaration, the proportion of female faculty members has reached approximately 40 percent (as of May 1, 2025), significantly exceeding the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s target of 30 percent. Women now also make up half of the university’s executive leadership, marking major progress since the 2011 Declaration.

On the other hand, as a university that welcomes students from 98 different countries, our campus is home to students with diverse backgrounds not only in terms of nationality, ethnicity, religion, and language, but also in sexual diversity and differing needs, such as the types of reasonable accommodations required for their learning. In light of this, we concluded that more comprehensive initiatives were necessary, and thus developed the DEI&B Statement.

Creating a Sense of Belonging and Emphasizing Psychological Safety

DEI&B stands for “D: Diversity,” “E: Equity,” “I: Inclusion,” and “B: Belonging.” While it is not uncommon for companies and educational institutions to issue such declarations, the inclusion of “B: Belonging” is a defining feature of our declaration and reflects a distinct “Sophia-Esque” way of thinking. We added this element because we believe that when every student, faculty member, and staff member feels, “I have a place here,” it empowers them to thrive in their respective roles.

Having a place that warmly welcomes and believes in you is extremely important. When people are tired or confronting various difficulties, places like this become a source of strength that allows them to persevere.

In realizing the ideals of this statement, we also believe that ensuring psychological safety – a sense of comfort in asking questions, sharing concerns, and speaking up without fear – is essential. Psychological safety refers to a state in which people can express their thoughts and feelings openly and without fear. We want to create an environment where all members can safely voice what they are thinking and what questions or doubts they may have. At the same time, we believe it is crucial for the university to consistently demonstrate a sincere willingness to listen and respond.

Listening Carefully and Addressing Even the “Smallest Voices”

The DEI&B Statement and its impact is not limited to its development. We will continue to realize the ideals laid out in the Statement through various initiatives. A central element of this will be the Office for the Promotion of Diversity and Sustainability. More than ten student staff members, students who also work as university staff, belong to this office, and their ideas are influencing improvements to the overall university environment.

One of these improvements includes the “Breeze Lounge” on the fourth floor of Building No. 2 which incorporates student staff ideas throughout its design. It was created as a space that anyone can naturally and comfortably use, inspired by the image of openness. The lounge’s restrooms are designed as fully private and self-contained, ensuring accessibility for everyone.

In addition, during “Diversity Week,” held every year from November to December, students, faculty, and staff work together to plan and implement events aimed at building a society that embraces diversity.

We hope that students will not only raise their own voices, but also work together with their peers to act on behalf of those who find it difficult to speak up. If someone is unable to raise their voice, we want others to help them speak up, or speak up for them. In response, we as a university want to think about what we can do.

It is through such interactions that mutual trust is built and psychological safety emerges. While it may not be possible to realize everything, we aspire to be a university that listens as carefully as possible even to “smallest” voices and makes every effort to bring them to light.

Striving for Genuine DEI&B to Become a Truly Open University

Consideration and sensitivity toward others are an important part of operating in society today. However, there has also been a recent tendency of excessive deference of others, causing us to become more isolated. Starting from the premise that we cannot understand others’ feelings unless we ask, it is important to simply and naturally inquire about how someone feels and to speak honestly with one another.

Creating such an environment takes time. During the September following the release of the statement, we published a handbook compiling the university’s various initiatives for respecting diversity. However, this alone will not be enough and further changes in the mindset and awareness of those in our community will also be necessary.

We believe that creating an open, collaborative university where people can think freely will lead to DEI&B in its truest sense, and that is what we aim to achieve.

* For detailed information on the “DEI&B Statement,” please see here.
* The handbook compiling information on DEI&B, including relevant policies and consultation services can be downloaded here.