New Year's Greetings 2026

Happy New Year.
I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for welcoming the new year of Reiwa, 2026, with renewed enthusiasm. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the students, faculty and staff, local community, industry, government, and international partners who supported our university throughout the past year.

2025 was a year in which the world was shaken by significant changes and uncertainties. However, in the midst of this, I feel that the raison d'être of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and our mission for the future have become even clearer.

As you know, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has been a university that connects nature, industry, and society for 150 years. Today, the world faces complex challenges, including climate change, food security, the energy transition, and the rapid advancement of AI. To solve these issues, cross-disciplinary knowledge and new value creation are essential. The fusion of "agriculture and engineering" advocated by our university is at the heart of this era. To correctly understand natural capital, share its importance, and extract the value created from it through science and technology and return it to society. We are confident that this is the most important way for Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology to contribute to Japan and the world.

Last year, our university began many initiatives with the aim of becoming a "research university that creates future value." Accelerating cutting-edge research in fields related to carbon neutrality, energy, robotics, AI, life sciences, etc. demonstrating smart agriculture, exploiting forests and biomass, and building international food supply models; Formation of new research and education bases in collaboration with industry and local governments. And fundamentally strengthen human resource development from bachelor's to doctoral level. These are not just a collection of research topics; It is a challenge to redesign the foundation that will support Japan's future and shape the society of the next generation. We expect students to transcend the boundaries of learning, go out into society, and grow as "world practitioners" who create new value.

In today's world, the shift to "natural capital" and "nature positive" is progressing rapidly. Seeing forests, water, soils, and ecosystems as values, not just resources, and connecting them to industry and finance –Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology believes that it should be a leading university in Japan in this field. Through regional collaboration, international cooperation, and co-creation with companies, we will disseminate new social models from our university and work together to create a sustainable and prosperous future.

In 2026, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology will take a higher step forward to become a "university with even greater conceptual and execution power." The formation of a campus full of diversity and creativity is the foundation of this, and we will work as a university that creates the future by itself rather than fearing the future.

I hope that the new year will be full of hope and challenges for everyone involved in our university.
Thank you for your continued support this year.