2026 Entrance Ceremony Held

On April 1, the 2026 entrance ceremony was held at the Tokyo International Forum. As in previous years, the ceremony took place in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This year, 2,728 undergraduate students, 629 graduate students, and 10 students from the Midwifery Program enrolled at Sophia University and began their new academic journey.

The ceremony opened with a musical performance by the Sophia Philharmonic Orchestra. This was followed by a blessing delivered by Father Yosuke Sakai, S.J. (morning session), and Father Antonius Firmansyah, S.J (afternoon session) of the Catholic Jesuit Center. During the blessing, a passage from the Gospel according to John was read, and hymns were performed by the Sophia Choir.

President Miki Sugimura

In her address, President Miki Sugimura encouraged the new students, saying: “From now on, each of you will open several doors of your own choosing, and accept many challenges. There may arise occasions when you open those doors along with others, and times when you summon courage to open them alone. Regardless of the circumstances, cherish your dreams and hopes, believe in your abilities, and advance forward. What you seek and what you discover beyond those doors, will be up to you. Sophia University will fully sustain your endeavors.”

In the student address, Mina Ishiwatari (Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, morning session) stated her aspirations, saying, “Under Sophia University’s educational spirit of ‘For Others, With Others,’ I will engage sincerely with my research theme and pursue my academic path together with fellow students who have gathered here from around the world.”

In the afternoon session, Shui Kikuchi (Department of Luso-Brazilian Studies, Faculty of Foreign Studies) expressed her determination by stating, “I will strive to look directly at the worlds that exist beyond language and to play a meaningful role in the realization of a multicultural and inclusive society.”

New student representative's speech (morning session)

New student representative's speech (afternoon session)

Chancellor Sali Augustine, S.J., referred to the goals of education rooted in Sophia University’s founding spirit by highlighting the four values of Competency, Conscience, Compassion, and Commitment. He conveyed his message to the new students by stating, “Please take good care of your families and loved ones, and extend a helping hand to those in need in society. I hope you will make full use of Sophia as a place of learning to become genuine contributors to the building of a peaceful society.”

Next, Toshiaki Saito, Chairperson of the Sophia University Parents’ Association, offered words of encouragement to the new students, saying, “The years you spend at university are among the freest and most possibility-filled times in life. Please do not fear failure, do not hesitate to take on challenges, and open the doors to the unknown.”

The ceremony concluded with a performance by the Sophia Philharmonic Orchestra, followed by the singing of Sophia University’s alma mater by the Amadeus Choir, the Sophia Choir.