{
  "id": 10814824,
  "title": "University of Tokyo's president-elect hopes for more female academics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/university-of-tokyos-president-elect-hopes-for-more-female-academics",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T00:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260930/p2g/00m/0na/006000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The University of Tokyo's incoming president, Yuko Fujigaki, has expressed her optimism that her appointment as the school's first female head will inspire more women in Japan to pursue academic careers. At 64, Fujigaki is a professor at the university's Graduate School of Science and Technology Studies. She will assume the role from next April, marking the university's 150th anniversary.\n\nIn a press conference, Fujigaki stated that her election sends a powerful message to society. She hopes to witness an increase in women pursuing research careers. When asked about her aspirations, Fujigaki emphasized her commitment to ensuring that the university remains a leading academic institution for both Japan and the world.\n\nThe University of Tokyo's selection of Fujigaki as the next president comes as the institution is implementing measures to enhance its governance following a series of bribery scandals involving some of its professors. Fujigaki assured that she will continue the reform measures initiated by the current president and intensify efforts to combat corruption.\n\nFujigaki secured the second position among three finalists in a vote by the university's professors, associate professors, and staff. Hiroko Kuniya, a trustee of Tokyo University of the Arts and chair of the selection committee, noted that Fujigaki's gender was not a topic of discussion during the deliberations. The committee chose her after carefully reviewing her achievements and evaluating her responses in an interview.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The University of Tokyo's president-elect, who will become the school's first female head in its history, on Tuesday expressed hope t",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "Scandal-hit University of Tokyo seeks change with first female chief",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/scandal-hit-university-of-tokyo-seeks-change-with-first-female-chief",
        "published": "2026-09-29T19:33:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}