Hiroshima University (HU) has been informed by external sources that an Assistant Professor (Special Appointment) at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences of HU posted content on Twitter that could be encouraging discrimination and prejudice against certain foreign nationals. At an extraordinary meeting of the university’s board of directors held on 11 August 2021, HU decided to set up a committee with additional experts from outside the university to investigate the matter.

The tweet, which was posted at the end of July, has already been deleted because of its use of phrases such as “certain foreigners are morally inferior”.

The assistant professor in question apologized by saying: “There are some expressions that could be perceived as linking a particular group to a particular course of action, which was not my intention. It is undeniable that the tweet could be encouraging prejudice against a particular group, and I sincerely regret that I did not take this into consideration when tweeting. I would like to sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been hurt by my tweet.” 

HU recognizes that the language used is highly inappropriate and would like to apologize to anyone affected. The university is going to set up the abovementioned investigation committee as soon as possible to investigate the matter in detail and is determined to take all possible measures to ensure that this kind of misconduct shall never happen again.

As an international university that does not tolerate discrimination or prejudice of any kind and respects human rights, Hiroshima University is committed to ensuring diversity in education and research.