Yoshio Kaneko, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of Kanagawa University

Developing the ability to make the right choices about how to live

■ Profile

He has worked at Kanagawa University since 2003. After serving as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and a trustee, he became president in April 2016. He has also served as chairman of the Kanagawa University Educational Corporation since September 2020. He currently holds a number of important positions outside the university, including as a special member of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's University Establishment and School Corporation Council.

Kanagawa University aims to provide truly practical education based on the spirit of "simplicity and strength," "progressive initiative," and "moderate steadiness." The university will open its Minato Mirai Campus in April 2021. We spoke with President Kaneko, who is committed to developing world-class human resources, using the international city of Yokohama as a base of knowledge.

■What was your student life like?

　I always tried to think and act independently, and spent my days learning. I was a member of AIESEC Japan, a non-profit organization that supports international students working in Japan and Japanese students working overseas. I also visited universities in Southeast Asia on study tours, and I had my sights set on the world even as a student.
　I had many opportunities to interact with students from developing countries, and it was a learning experience to be exposed to their strong determination to "build their own country." It gave me the opportunity to ask myself, "What vision do I have for the future?" and "How do I want to live my life?"

■Please tell us about the meaning of academic research.

　There are unsolved problems in the world. In my field of research, economics, these problems include rising prices, poverty and hunger, and unemployment. Researchers all over the world are working hard every day to solve these problems, so that we can create a society in which everyone can live better lives.
　I too decided to pursue a career in research because I wanted to use academic research to find solutions to the harsh conditions people face in their daily lives and survival.

■Please tell us your thoughts as president

　At the core of my work is a desire to support students who work hard. I am always thinking about how I can best convey the wisdom of academic study to students.
　To that end, we aim to become an international university and conduct research at a high level, according to world standards. Our Minato Mirai Campus, opening in April 2021, is part of this effort, and it provides an ideal environment for realizing "new education and research" through mutually encouraging collaboration between industry, government, and academia. Our university is currently actively promoting research and education aimed at achieving the 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs. As an institution of higher education, we have a significant responsibility to find solutions to global challenges from various angles through our research and educational activities, in order to create a sustainable society. In the THE University Impact Ranking 2020, published by the UK's Times Higher Education (THE), which measures the social contributions of universities around the world based on the SDGs, our university was ranked in all SDGs. We are the only private university in Japan to be ranked in all SDGs. As one of Japan's leading universities, we will further strengthen our commitment to the SDGs.

■What kind of students do you think society will need?

　The future of capitalist society is uncertain and unpredictable; no one knows for sure. What we do know is that current concepts will no longer be valid. In an era of rapid social change, it is essential to have the ability to adapt and act flexibly to the situation and the ability to be active globally. Rather than thinking, "I want to join that company," I want students to constantly think about "how they want to live their lives" and hone their ability to make the right choices.
　Many of our graduates are active in global companies and hold important positions in government agencies. It warms my heart to see our students working hard in society.

■Please give us a message for university students

　Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a difficult situation, it is important to view this as an opportunity. Our university is also utilizing online resources to collaborate with approximately 180 overseas partner universities and broaden the scope of our educational content, thereby supporting our hard-working students.
　I hope you continue to move forward without losing hope for the future. Let's overcome this difficult situation together!

Student Newspaper April 2021 Edition by Sakurako Kojima, 3rd year student at Meiji Gakuin University