Who we are

In September 2021, the University of Tokyo announced UTokyo Compass. Under the title “Into a Sea of Diversity: Creating the Future through Dialogue,” this document sets out the university’s guiding principles, which include valuing creation through dialogue, diversity, and inclusion, and making UTokyo a university that anyone in the world would want to come to. The University of Tokyo Center for Coproduction of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IncluDE) was established to realize those goals.

To address the global issues facing human society, it is important for people with diverse backgrounds to formulate questions regarding difficult conditions and to share those questions and think together with others. This Center brings together UTokyo researchers in wide-ranging advanced fields to create and implement a cross-sectional and interdisciplinary model.

The cutting-edge research results in DEI-related areas gained at the Center are applied back to the front lines of support, and unresolved issues identified in the field are input into research. By creating this virtuous cycle of research and support, IncluDE helps to realize a more just society.

Since becoming Executive Vice President in 2021, my mission has been to transform the University of Tokyo into a vibrant mosaic of diversity. We have embarked on an exciting journey to make the University of Tokyo a welcoming place for all, where research and education are encouraged across boundaries. By merging the Office for Gender Equality and the Disability Services Office, we are creating an inclusive community under one dynamic umbrella, IncluDE.

Imagine a campus where diversity isn't just accepted but also celebrated. A place where every individual is seen, heard, and valued. While the comfort of “sameness” might appeal to some, we believe in embracing the richness of different backgrounds, values, and perspectives. This is not just about creating a conducive space for learning and research. It is also about fostering joy, enthusiasm, and a deeper connection with life, both within the university and in the wider world. Life is more thrilling when we discover the unexpected and learn to embrace the diversity around us.

The launch of IncluDE marks a new chapter, not a conclusion. We envision IncluDE as a source of inspiration, guiding every member of our community towards a deeper understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Let us work together to create a campus that is not just about academic excellence, but also about celebrating the unique potential of individual members of our community. Please join us in this journey toward a more inclusive and vibrant University of Tokyo!

The newly established University of Tokyo Center for Coproduction of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity consists of two main parts: the DEI Implementation Division, which unites the Disability Services Office and Office for Gender Equality that have been responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the University of Tokyo, and the DEI Research Division, which brings together researchers active in DEI-related fields at graduate schools, research centers, and other bodies throughout the university. The Center as a whole is referred to informally as “IncluDE.”

In addition, the Office for DEI Coproduction Strategies has been established within the Center to make the results of the cutting-edge DEI research conducted at the university visible and to create a virtuous cycle between research and practice. The Office links research results to the creation of new academic knowledge by having those results reflected in practice at the university while at the same time utilizing the insights and knowledge gained on the front lines of practice.

The concept of diversity is itself truly diverse. We are all concerned parties in that we are all members in one way or another both of minority groups and of the majority, so we all need to be aware of the gap between the two. With its driving force being the affected people themselves, IncluDE establishes a foundation for both research and practice to create a place where everyone involved can manifest their abilities in line with their unique characteristics. Another goal is to increase the percentage of women among faculty and students, which has been an issue at the university for many years.

Having all members understand DEI not as “something for someone else who is having problems” but rather as a “something that concerns oneself” is key to building this foundation. For this reason, IncluDE emphasizes education in the broad sense, including various awareness-raising activities and training for faculty and staff members. We will devise a framework to steadily promote changes in awareness and behavior first inside the university and ultimately in society as a whole, and we will link this framework to practice.

Of course, these tasks cannot be carried out by the Center alone. IncluDE will enhance our activities by learning from and collaborating with industry, government, and academic bodies engaged in advanced initiatives in Japan and internationally. As a university-wide education and research facility, IncluDE will also promote DEI throughout the university in collaboration with various faculties.

Everyone at IncluDE is looking forward to pioneering new paths with help from all of you. We will be very grateful for your understanding and support.