History of UT Women

UTokyo women today

Last updated: 19 March 2022

Support for female students (2017-present):
UTokyo provides support for female students in several ways, such as housing subsidies for those with difficulties commuting from home, on-campus events, scholarships, etc. There are also outreach activities to female high school students, such as visits by current female students to their alma mater to carry the message that "we welcome female students".

Congratulatory speech by Dr. Chizuko Ueno at the 2019 entrance ceremony:
In her address, Dr. Ueno highlighted the low ratio of female students at UTokyo, the gender biases held by parents that “cool down” their daughters’ aspirations, and various difficulties faced by female students after they enter Todai. This caused controversy both within and outside the university.

Banning of "Women-Free Circles" (2020):
In response to female students being refused entry to certain UTokyo student groups because of their gender, the Director for Gender Equality and the Vice President warned that such practises go against the principle of equality enshrined in the UTokyo Charter. The Orientation Committee banned such circles from joining recruitment events.

Successful female entrance exam-takers exceed 21% for the first time (2021):
Partly due to the introduction of the school-recommended selection system, the percentage of female undergraduate students accepted to UTokyo topped 21% in 2021. Though the Faculties of Liberal Arts and of Education exceeded 30%, the total for all faculties is slightly less than 20%. Among international undergrads, females actually outnumbered males.

First national university with a majority of women on its executive board (2021):
5 of 9 members of UTokyo's executive board, which includes the president and executive vice presidents, are women, making it the first national university with more women than men at this level. The move aims to incorporate diverse perspectives into decision-making and increase the university's international competitiveness in education and research.