Japan Press Weekly

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2017 January 18 - 24 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Meiji Univ. puts full-page ad opposing military research in major dailies

Meiji University in the major daily newspapers of Asahi, Mainichi, and Yomiuri dated January 15 placed a full-page ad making clear its position that the university prohibits any research and cooperation aimed at military use.

According to the university’s public relations office, this was the first time for the university to announce through a newspaper ad its policy banning military-related research. The PR section said the university authority received more than 100,000 comments from readers in the week after the ad was published.

The title of the full-page ad is, “Meiji University on a quest for human rights and peace”. It apparently hopes to convey the university’s position and campus atmosphere that offer a respect for human rights, freedom, independence, autonomy, diversity, contribution to international society, and working to establish world peace in addition to the banning of military research.

Meiji University in 2004 released its policy statement stipulating that the university will not engage in any social coordination activities for the purpose of military use, human-rights suppression, or anything which threatens peace.

Past related articles:
> Kansai University makes formal decision to refuse military-related research [December 9, 2016]
> Professors criticize Hokkaido Univ. for promoting military-academia cooperation [September 28, 2016]
> Vote independently for brighter future: Kyoto Univ. president to freshmen [April 9, 2016]
> Scholars and students in joint symposium resolve to abolish war legislation [October 26, 2015]
> Many researchers resolve to fight to have war legislation repealed [September 20, 2015]
> Professors call for protecting academic freedom [July 6, 2015]