Why Yuko Fujigaki Was Chosen as Tokyo University’s Next President

In a surprising turn of events, Yuko Fujigaki was selected as the next president of Tokyo University, despite her being the runner-up in the faculty vote. The election, which took place on Monday, saw Takao Someya receive significantly more votes; more than double the support for Fujigaki. Nevertheless, Fujigaki made history as the university's first woman to assume the role.

She is set to assume office in April 2027, pending formal approval from the education minister. This decision has left many in the university community and the global audience, both baffled and questioning the point of the faculty's input.

The reason behind this apparent contradiction lies in the nature of the vote itself. The faculty and staff at UTokyo do not directly elect their president. Instead, their vote is an "opinion poll," one part of a larger selection process where a 16-member selection committee ultimately decides. This committee takes into account various factors in its decision-making, including candidates' interviews, policy statements, and the results of the faculty poll.

The ballot, therefore, serves to inform the committee's choice rather than definitively determine it.

This "opinion vote" has sparked criticism, with some questioning its necessity and even suggesting gender bias. Shiori Yamao, a former University of Tokyo student and current member of Japan’s House of Representatives, has questioned whether gender played a role in Fujigaki's selection. She argues that the university's claim of "comprehensive consideration" of various factors is too vague, especially given that the existence of gender quotas in university entrance exams is publicly disclosed.

She argues that this allows for public discourse and potential legal challenges. In contrast, while the selection process mentions diversity, it does not explicitly state that gender would be a consideration.

However, UTokyo maintains that the decision was not influenced by gender. In a press conference, selection committee chair Hiroko Kuniya emphasized that the issue never arose during their deliberations. According to the committee, Fujigaki was selected because she aligns with the university's vision of becoming a more open institution.

The committee highlighted her international experience and her potential to promote diverse forms of knowledge through the integration of arts and sciences and improved communication. Fujigaki herself, a professor at UTokyo's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, has expressed her commitment to establishing a solid financial foundation for the university and ensuring its role in academic development both in Japan and globally.