UTokyo New York Office Relocation Ceremony Held

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, a ceremony celebrating the relocation of the University of Tokyo New York Office (UTokyoNY), along with a commemorative dialogue event, was held at its new premises in Manhattan. The gathering brought together numerous guests, including alumni residing in the United States, researchers, and partners from academic institutions and industry, to celebrate the office's fresh start in North America.

The new office has moved into the Heron Tower building, located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, approximately a 10-minute walk from the previous location. Following his work on the former office, Associate Professor Yoshiyuki Kawazoe of the Institute of Industrial Science designed the interior. At the entrance, a new navy blue noren (traditional Japanese hanging curtain) featuring the university's ginkgo mark is displayed, and the Shelf of Wisdom, a display shelf crafted from timber donated by Japanese local governments that hold partnership agreements with the university, was also brought over to the new office. The shelves throughout the premises also feature various items that chronicle the history and milestones of the office's past activities.

Moderated by Professor Yoshiho Ikeuchi of the Institute of Industrial Science, the ceremony opened with congratulatory remarks from Dr. Teruo Fujii, President of the University of Tokyo; Mr. Yasuo Okamoto, President of UTokyoNY; and Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, Consul-General of Japan in New York. The subsequent dialogue session featured President Fujii, Professor Miles Pennington of the Institute of Industrial Science (the Prospective Dean of UTokyo College of Design, a new college scheduled to launch in the fall of 2027), and Ms. Anna Esaki-Smith, an educational journalist. The participants engaged in an animated discussion on how to address increasingly complex contemporary social issues through a design approach and how to shape knowledge for the next generation.

(From left) Ms. Esaki-Smith, President Fujii, and Professor Pennington

During the session, Ms. Esaki-Smith provided insights into the current global landscape of higher education and the efforts of Japanese universities to attract international students. In response, President Fujii spoke passionately about the future of global education in the AI era and UTokyo's vision. Professor Pennington then outlined his educational vision for the new college, highlighting practical programs designed to transcend existing academic frameworks and deliver real-world social impact. A lively Q&A session followed, with local stakeholders and alumni raising many questions, reflecting the high expectations in North America for the forthcoming college.

Following the session, a gift exchange ceremony took place with Daikin, which has a local base in New York. Mr. Takayuki Inoue, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Daikin, and Mr. Yoshiyuki Uemura, Managing Executive Officer of Daikin and President of Daikin US, presented a copy of The New York Times published on July 1, 2015, the date of UTokyoNY’s official incorporation. In return, President Fujii and President Okamoto presented a reproduction of a shin-hanga (modern Japanese woodblock print) depicting the Akamon. In addition, Mr. Kazuhiro Sakurai, President of DASSAI Inc., gave a talk on his company's sake-brewing initiatives in New York State. The company and the New York Office have been collaborating since 2019 through various joint activities, including lectures and workshops. The event concluded with closing remarks delivered by Professor Hiroaki Aihara, Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo.

At the subsequent reception, a traditional kagami-biraki (sake barrel-breaking) ceremony was held. The kagami-biraki featured key figures, including Professor Iwao Ojima, President of Friends of UTokyo, Inc. (FUTI); Professor Geeta Mehta, Board Director of FUTI and Member of the Management Policy Council of the University of Tokyo; Mr. Katsuhiko Hibino, President of Tokyo University of the Arts, which has concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement with UTokyo and is collaborating on the concept for the UTokyo College of Design; Ambassador Katahira; President Fujii; and President Okamoto. They took up wooden mallets to celebrate the launch of the new office.

With that, the highly successful event drew to a close.

(From left) Ambassador Katahira, Professor Ojima, President Okamoto, President Fujii, President Hibino, and Professor Mehta

Event Overview

Date & Time

Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Event), 5:00 p.m. – (Reception) *Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Venue

The University of Tokyo New York Office (70 East 55th Street, Suite 4A, New York, NY 10022)

Speakers

Dr. Teruo Fujii (President), Mr. Yasuo Okamoto (President of UTokyoNY), Ambassador Satoshi Katahira (Consul-General of Japan in New York), Professor Miles Pennington, Ms. Anna Esaki-Smith, Professor Hiroaki Aihara (Executive Vice President)

Attendees

Approximately 50 attendees, including UTokyo faculty and staff, representatives from UTokyo alumni organizations, university invitees, and UTokyoNY stakeholders