Congratulations to all new students on your admission to Hiroshima University.

On this auspicious day, it is my great pleasure, both as President of Hiroshima University and as one of its alumni, to welcome 4,198 new members to our community. Hiroshima University is an outstanding institution with an excellent record in education and research, and I take great pride in it as one of its alumni. Your admission to such a university and your presence here today are, without doubt, the result of the support and guidance of your families. I hope that you will never forget that.

Now, let me share a thought from the 20th-century German philosopher Karl Jaspers. In his book ‘The Origin and Goal of History’, he wrote, ‘To look back on history is to reflect upon oneself.’ We study history not merely to learn about past events, but also to understand the trials, errors, and experiences that humanity has accumulated. Indeed, they provide us with a basis for understanding where we stand today and for considering what kind of future we should strive to build.

Eighty-one years ago, on 6 August 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. It is estimated that approximately 140,000 people lost their lives by the end of that year. Also, many precious lives of students, pupils, faculty, and staff members at the predecessor schools and affiliated schools of Hiroshima University were lost. Overcoming such devastation, Hiroshima University was founded in 1949 through the integration of its 9 predecessor schools, including Hiroshima University of Literature and Science. Each of these schools, with its own traditions, cultures, and curricula, was brought together to form ‘a single unified university, free and pursuing peace.’

The spirit of seeking peace continues to this day through initiatives such as the ‘Peace Lecture Marathon,’ in which ambassadors from around the world give lectures on peace; the ‘Peace Study Tours,’ which invite students from across the globe to Hiroshima; and the ‘University Presidents for Peace Conference,’ where leaders from higher education institutions all over the world gather to discuss the roles they should play to help realize peace.

Today, Hiroshima University has grown into one of Japan’s leading comprehensive research universities, comprising 12 undergraduate schools, 4 graduate schools, and 1 research institute—the largest number of faculties among national universities in Japan. Our student body of over 15,000 includes about 2,000 international students from 99 countries or regions. The University operates across three campuses: the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, which boasts the third-largest single campus area among national universities in Japan and is renowned for its abundant natural surroundings; the Kasumi Campus, home to our medical, dental, and pharmaceutical sciences; and the Higashi-Senda Campus, the birthplace of the University and a hub for legal education. Our alumni network now exceeds 250,000 graduates, many of whom are active in a wide range of fields worldwide.

In education and research, Hiroshima University has made remarkable progress. In 2014, our university became the only institution in the Chugoku–Shikoku region to be selected for the ‘Top Global University Project’ by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Since then, we have actively worked to improve students’ English proficiency and to foster a global campus environment. As a result, one in four undergraduate students has achieved a TOEIC® score of 730 or higher, a level at which English can be used effectively in daily life and professional settings. The University will continue to provide comprehensive support, including a wide range of study-abroad programs, so that each of you may also develop your English language skills.

In research, we are achieving world-leading results across a wide range of fields, including advanced materials, genome editing, semiconductors, neuroscience, and remote sensing. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, which assesses and showcases universities’ contributions to society based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Hiroshima University was ranked 101–200 out of more than 2,300 universities worldwide and second in Japan. Furthermore, at the THE Awards Asia 2025, which recognizes exceptional reform efforts by universities across Asia, Hiroshima University became the first Japanese institution to receive Grand Prizes in two categories simultaneously—further affirming our position as a leading global institution.

However, when we turn our eyes to the world, the international community now faces profound challenges amid ongoing conflicts around the globe. In such times, it is more important than ever to develop the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives and to engage with diverse values.

It is university education that cultivates such ability. What is more, in the real world, some questions may have more than one correct answer. Some issues, such as international conflicts, defy simple solutions. Therefore, it is not enough to ask only ‘how’. We must also continue to ask ‘why’: Why are these problems taking place? What underlying factors give rise to them? I believe that the ability to ask ‘why’ has never been more important than it is today.

At Hiroshima University, we offer a wide range of educational opportunities to foster such thinking skills. For example, we provide a special lecture series entitled ‘Becoming a Global Citizen: Lecture by Special Instructor,’ in which distinguished leaders from various fields share their experiences and perspectives. We also offer a range of “Peace Studies” courses as required electives. In these courses, students select one from approximately 30 subjects related to war and conflict, nuclear disarmament, the environment, and other issues. Through activities such as visits to atomic bomb–related sites and report writing, they reflect on the questions: What is peace, and what can we do to promote it?

Karl Jaspers also stated, ‘The university is a community of teachers and students engaged in the task of seeking truth.’ A university is not a place where knowledge is unilaterally transmitted, but rather a place where teachers and students together question, think, and pursue truth. In other words, it is not a place where answers are simply given, but one where you are expected to develop both the courage and the ability to keep asking questions.

From today onwards, I sincerely hope that you will make full use of the opportunities available at Hiroshima University, acquire both broad education and extensive expertise, and pioneer a new path as you overcome many challenges that lie ahead.

During your university life, I encourage you to actively engage not only in your academic studies but also in extracurricular and volunteer activities. All faculty and staff members are committed to supporting each and every one of you so that you may truly say, ‘I am glad to have studied at Hiroshima University.’

In closing, I sincerely hope that your time at the University will be rich and fulfilling, and that what you learn here will become a lasting source of strength as you shape your future.

3rd April 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University