Japanese

Hiroshima University held its Autumn 2026 Commencement Ceremony on September 18, 2026, at the Satake Memorial Hall on the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus.

On this day, degrees were awarded to a total of 381 students: 30 undergraduate students and 351 graduate students, including 270 international students. Three student representatives received their diplomas from President Mitsuo Ochi, and after the ceremony, the president personally presented diplomas to each doctoral degree recipient in attendance.

In his address, President Ochi congratulated the graduates and expressed his deepest respect for the dedication and perseverance of international students who completed their studies while adapting to a different culture, language, and way of life.

He then referred to the international situation surrounding war and nuclear weapons, calling on the graduates to carry forward Hiroshima University’s first Guiding Principle, “the pursuit of peace,” by continuing to think about peace, engaging in dialogue with those around them, and taking action.

President Ochi also introduced the “butterfly effect,” in which even a very small change in initial conditions can, over time, lead to far-reaching consequences. He expressed his hope that even the smallest individual actions could, over time, grow into a powerful force for shaping the future.

He then spoke about “The Inextinguishable Lamp of Learning,” a monument installed on the Higashi-Senda Campus on August 7 as a symbol of carrying forward the aspirations shared by those connected with the University: the pursuit of peace, the quest for knowledge, and a commitment to serving society.

Concluding his address, President Ochi quoted Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl: “We must not ask what we expect from life, but rather what life expects from us,” and offered words of encouragement to the graduating class.

“As you set sail upon the ‘sea of turmoil’ that lies ahead of you, I hope that you will keep this question close to your hearts: ‘As someone who has studied at Hiroshima University, what does the world expect of me?’” he said.

Following the president’s address, Mitsuki Kondo of the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life delivered a farewell speech on behalf of the current student body. In response, Md Altafur Rahman of the Graduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society offered words of gratitude on behalf of the graduates.

Full text of the President’s address (English) (Japanese) 

*More photos from the event will be available on Hiroshima University’s official social media channels.