Interview with President Hiroshige Inazumi

Exclusive Interview with President Hiroshige Inazumi: Fashionable But “Superficial”? AGU’s Brand Challenge

Sakuya Okada

　Almost two years have passed since Hiroshige Inazumi became AGU’s 20th President in 2023. A.G.University News sat down with him for an hour in an exclusive interview in August. He shared his vision for the university, the challenges he sees, and his message for students. The interview began with questions about his background.

“Mistakes are never the end”

How do you reflect on your childhood? Is there any connection to your character today?

　I was a cheeky kid. I never liked being ordered around without explanation.  There is no clear reason. I think I was just born that way. I did not like formality, either. When I first joined AGU in 1993, I wore jeans and a T-shirt to the faculty meeting.   I could tell that senior members were uncomfortable with my clothing, but I did not let that bother me. I kept wearing the same style month after month. Even today, I do not prepare full scripts for speeches at ceremonies because I do not want to “read them aloud.” I want to be as honest as possible with my audience.

Did you have any difficulties when you were young?

　My biggest failure in my youth was not getting into my first-choice university. I was devastated when I received the exam results. But mistakes are never the end.   At Waseda University, I had the chance to think deeply about who I was and what I could become in the future. 

Why did you choose academia as your career path?

　I wanted a free life—I did not want to become a salaryman. Growing up, I was interested in self-reliant professions such as being an artist, novelist or even military analyst. I ultimately stayed in academia because my own papers would be judged on their merit. I was not as successful as I could have been as a researcher, though. (laughs) My motivation wasn’t purely academic, you see—I chose academia mainly for independence, not just for study.

32 years have passed since you came to AGU and now you serve as its President. Why did you decide to take on this role?

　I wanted to introduce more responsibility and consistency to university governance. Decision-makers must take ownership of AGU’s problems and set out a strategy that benefits the university in the long term. It is usually invisible to students, but governance is important. This has been my belief since I was a young professor, and the presidency is the ultimate position to put that belief into practice.   However, I had never expected myself to become the President. It was a result of a series of coincidences.

AGU’s fashionable image has become “superficial”

AGU’s placement in the World University Rankings has declined from the 1001+ bracket in 2019 to 1501+ in 2025. What measures is the university taking to address this?

　Vice President Uchida is handling this. Since last year, we have been discussing strategies on how to approach this. Because the rankings are calculated through a highly technical process, I sometimes question whether it is meaningful to focus only on rankings themselves. Still, I believe it is worth paying attention to the indicators. Our research performance is rated poorly, for example, but that is not the only factor. 

Do you see any other issue that AGU should address?

　AGU has long had a fashionable image, but it has become more “superficial” over time. In the past, that image came with the assumption of being elite—only a small percentage, 10 to 20 percent of young people went on to university. But today, more than a half of 18-year-olds are coming to universities. In such an environment, that elite assumption has faded, leaving AGU with an image of being merely fashionable. That’s why I promote “sincere academic pursuit.” Without this, AGU will not be chosen by students from top-level high schools and that is a problem.

Why establish a Data Science course on Aoyama Campus?

To promote “sincere academic pursuit,” what agendas are you advancing?

　Due to its location and history, Aoyama Campus here is the face of the university. It is currently dominated by humanities courses, but I believe it is essential to introduce science courses here again. Establishing a Data Science course is one concrete step with great potential: Data Science is interconnected with many academic fields, including humanities courses. It will also be beneficial for science courses on Sagamihara Campus. The Data Science course on Aoyama Campus would become a hub to showcase Sagamihara’s projects and achievements to the public. 

　Also, we aim to grow the number of graduate students on both campuses. I expect that establishment of the Data Science course will contribute to this, too. Our research capacity will rise if we have more graduate students  . They can serve as role models for undergraduates as well. 

　In addition, we are speeding up AGU’s internationalization. The number of professors from overseas is increasing not only in the School of International Politics, Economics and Communication but also in the College of Science and Engineering. So is the number of subjects taught in English. We may offer degree programs that can be completed entirely in English in the future. 

Final Message to Students and A.G.University News

What message do you have for AGU students?

　College students have great potential, but I think there is a culture of “not trying too hard” among them, especially here at AGU.   It is admirable only if you have real ability. Otherwise, you’ve got to keep trying, trying even harder. 

What message do you have about A.G.University News?

　There are many ways to learn English, but what matters is thinking about your own problems in English. That’s what your English newspapers do and invite your readers to the discussion, right? That makes your activity invaluable.

President Inazumi, thank you for your time and thoughtful insights. 

　Thank you.