TUJ Class of 2025 celebrates commencement in Tokyo. Photo by Yumi Tsutaichi (TUJ Student)
The Japan campus of Temple University (TUJ) continued the 2025 commencement ceremony of Temple University in Tokyo on May 16 at Hitomi Memorial Hall. More than 1,300 guests, including family members, friends, and distinguished guests from Japan and abroad, were invited to honor the Class of 2025 and their acquisition of undergraduate and graduate degrees from a globally renowned and top American public university. The graduates comprise a diverse and accomplished group whose achievements span academic excellence, international recognition, practical skills development, and career success.
As TUJ enters one of the most dynamic periods in its 43 years of history, with enrollment continuing to reach all-time highs and the official opening of a second location Kyoto in January, Temple University awarded degrees to almost 500 students who completed their degree studies in Japan. These graduates earned more than 400 bachelor’s degrees, over 80 master’s degrees in education, management, and law, and four doctoral degrees in education. Over 300 undergraduate and graduate students attended the commencement ceremony.
Achievements
This year’s graduates have excelled to incredible heights, received a variety of awards, gained admission to graduate programs at other prestigious universities, and completed internships at leading companies and organizations. The Class of 2025 has received job offers from organizations such as Asahi Shimbun, Coca-Cola Bottlers, EY, Nitori, and more.
On behalf of their fellow graduates, three student representatives delivered speeches to the audience and their classmates. Soren Dickson, representing TUJ Kyoto and a recipient of Temple University’s prestigious Diamond Award, was joined by undergraduate graduate Leonardo D’Amato, and Bartolome Jose Bazen Rios, a doctoral graduate from the Graduate College of Education. The graduation ceremony was streamed live on the internet so that family and friends from around the world could view it. The broadcast can also be viewed on the Graduation 2025 website.
Distinguished guests extended their congratulations to the Class of 2025. Ari Staiman, Head of Roblox Japan and President of Roblox China, delivered the keynote address. A member of TUJ’s Board of Overseers, Staiman praised the graduates for their outstanding accomplishments and challenged them to make a difference in the world going forward. Yuko Baba, Vice Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture, and A. Sunshine Ison, Culture Affairs Officer and Director of Public Engagement of the U.S. Embassy, also delivered congratulatory remarks. In addition, other members of TUJ’s Board of Overseers and prominent TUJ supporters from the business community were also in attendance.
A congratulatory video message from Temple University’s Main Campus featured remarks from President John Fry and Senior Vice President and Provost Gregory Mandel, honoring the graduates for their achievements.
About Temple University and the Japan campus
TUJ is a full-service branch of Temple University, a leading U.S. institution based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Recognized as a Carnegie R1 research university, Temple ranks 46th among the top U.S. public universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2025) and in the top 400 universities worldwide (Times Higher Education, 2025).
Founded in 1982, TUJ is the oldest and largest branch campus of a foreign university in Japan, hosting students from about 80 different countries and regions. Building on over four decades of academic excellence and global engagement, TUJ’s degree-seeking student body, including both undergraduate and graduate students, has nearly reached 3,000 degree-seeking students. In January 2025, TUJ marked a new milestone with the grand opening of TUJ Kyoto, a new multi-building satellite location in southern Kyoto City near the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
TUJ also serves more than 250 graduate students in the Graduate College of Education, the Master in Management and the Law School, along with more than 2,000 learners in non-degree programs, including the Academic English Program, Continuing Education and Corporate Education. In the fall 2025 semester, TUJ Kyoto will formally launch the Master of Science in Communication Management.
Other related stories
- Temple University, Japan Campus Expands Rapidly, Creating More High-Quality Career Opportunities for Students (April 8, 2025)
- TUJ Presents Third Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards to Honor Esteemed Graduates (March 14, 2025)
- Temple University Marks Historic Opening of New Kyoto Location (January 24, 2025)