The University of Tokyo has selected Professor Yuko Fujigaki as its next president, marking the first time a woman will lead the institution since its founding in 1877. The university announced her selection on September 28, with Fujigaki speaking at a press conference the following day.
At 64, Fujigaki is a Tokyo-born University of Tokyo alumna and professor specializing in science and technology studies and scientometrics. She is scheduled to become the university’s 32nd president on April 1, 2027, following formal appointment by Japan’s education minister.
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Fujigaki’s appointment comes as the University of Tokyo approaches its 150th anniversary in 2027.
The university said she will serve a six-year term through March 31, 2033. Her selection represents a notable change in the institution’s leadership history, as no woman has previously served as its president.
Fujigaki said the appointment sends a significant message to society and expressed hope that more women will enroll at the university and pursue careers in research.
From UTokyo Alumna to President-Elect
Fujigaki earned her doctorate from the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences before joining the university as an assistant professor in 1990.
Her career has included:
● Professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences since 2010
● Researcher at the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy
● Vice dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
● Executive vice president from 2021 to March 2026
● Work involving student support, admissions, evaluation and research ethics
Her academic work has focused on how science and technology interact with society, as well as the measurement and evaluation of scientific research.
Her Priorities for the University
Speaking after her selection, Fujigaki outlined several priorities for the institution.
She said the university needs to establish a solid financial foundation while maintaining long-term public trust in scholarship and research.
Encouraging More Women in Academia
Fujigaki said she hopes her appointment will encourage more female students to enter the university and more women to pursue research careers.
Creating a More Open University
The selection committee cited her international experience and ability to promote collaboration across academic disciplines as factors in its decision.
Fujigaki also expressed interest in the upcoming UTokyo College of Design, an interdisciplinary programme scheduled to begin in September 2027 and taught entirely in English.
The university’s selection process involved multiple stages.
Five candidates reached the second stage, followed by an opinion vote among eligible faculty and administrative members on September 28. In the second round of the vote, Takao Someya received 1,107 votes, Fujigaki received 553 and Ryuji Yamamoto received 451. The screening committee subsequently selected Fujigaki after considering the voting results alongside interviews, policy statements and other evaluation materials.
The university has emphasized that the screening committee’s final decision was based on a comprehensive assessment rather than the opinion vote alone.
1. A First for UTokyo
Fujigaki will become the first woman to lead the University of Tokyo in nearly 150 years of its history.
2. A Milestone Ahead of the 150th Anniversary
Her term begins in the same year the university marks its 150th anniversary.
3. Focus on Academic Diversity
Her stated goal of encouraging more women in higher education could influence the university’s approach to student recruitment and research careers.
4. A New Leadership Agenda
Financial sustainability, public trust, interdisciplinary education and communication are among the issues highlighted in her vision for the university.
Yuko Fujigaki’s selection marks a historic moment for the University of Tokyo. When she takes office in April 2027, she will become the institution’s first woman president and lead the university into its 150th anniversary year.
Her tenure is set to focus on strengthening the university’s financial foundation, expanding opportunities for women in academia, encouraging interdisciplinary education and maintaining long-term trust in research and scholarship.
