Opening ceremonies held for new residential facilities: Hyakumanben International House and Okazaki International House (25 September 2019)

Kyoto University has recently established two new residential facilities for international researchers and students: "Hyakumanben International House" and "Okazaki International House". Ceremonies to celebrate the opening of the two new international houses were held on 25 September 2019.

The ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Hyakumanben International House was attended by approximately 50 people, including President Juichi Yamagiwa and Mr Takatoshi Nishiwaki, the governor of Kyoto Prefecture, who gave opening addresses, which were followed by an overview of the Hyakumanben International House by Professor Kayo Inaba, executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations. A ribbon cutting ceremony was then held, followed by a tour of the facility.

In his speech, President Yamagiwa explained that the University is continuing its efforts to provide a comfortable environment for motivated international researchers and students to facilitate their engagement in advanced academic study. He explained that the new facilities are part of the University's efforts to encourage the pursuit of creative and diverse research that will benefit society.

The ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Okazaki International House also consisted of opening addresses, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a tour of the facility.

The Hyakumanben and Okazaki International Houses are the sixth and seventh international houses established by the University, following the Shugakuin International House (1982), Uji International House (1986), Ohbaku International House (1999), Misasagi International House (whose ownership was transferred to Kyoto University in 2010 from the Japan Student Services Organization), and Yoshida International House (2013). The new facilities will house international students matriculating during and after October 2019, as well as current and incoming international researchers.