Annual Fund-Raising Gala “The Magic of TUJ” Features World-Renowned Illusionist Hiroki Hara

Hiroki Hara performs a live illusion show during TUJ’s Diamond Dinner at the Westin Hotel Tokyo on June 27, 2025.

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) held its annual Diamond Dinner on June 27, 2025, welcoming over 170 guests to the Westin Hotel Tokyo for the second consecutive year. The annual fund-raising gala plays a vital role in generating support for student scholarships and serves as a key community-building event. The evening highlighted the philanthropic spirit and unity of the TUJ and Tokyo communities while reaffirming the university’s commitment to educational excellence.

The annual gala generated excitement among attendees with its popular live and silent auctions aimed at raising funds for student scholarships. Student workers visited each table, engaging with guests and encouraging them to contribute by purchasing raffle tickets. All proceeds from these activities will go directly toward supporting student scholarships.

This year’s gala, titled “The Magic of TUJ,” celebrated a range of recent developments and accomplishments, including the formal opening of TUJ Kyoto. To emphasize the theme of “magic,” TUJ invited renowned illusionist Hiroki Hara to headline the evening with a live performance.

Hara first gained international acclaim through his performance on America’s Got Talent, where he received a standing ovation. He was recently named by Newsweek Japan as one of the “100 Japanese People the World Respects,” joining the ranks of luminaries such as Shohei Ohtani. He has also appeared on popular Japanese television programs, including Jounetsu Tairiku on Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. He has also performed in over 30 countries around the world.

Hara’s 40-minute magic and illusion performance captivated the audience. Inviting several attendees on stage to participate in his act, he delivered a rare treat of world-class entertainment. His dazzling illusions drew continuous applause and cheers, filling the evening with a sense of magic and elevating the spirit of the TUJ community.

The evening brought together a distinguished group of attendees, including business leaders, diplomats, alumni, and supporters of the university from a wide range of fields, as well as members of TUJ’s Board of Overseers. TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson opened the event by highlighting the university’s recent achievements, such as the launch of new programs, continued enrollment increases, and new partnerships with government, industry, and educational institutions throughout Japan and beyond.

In his remarks, Dean Wilson projected the enrollment will exceed 4,000 in the coming years. He also specifically highlighted the recent opening of TUJ Kyoto in January 2025 that welcomed an inaugural class of over 100 students. “It’s a bold step. It’s an extraordinary step, and it’s a magical one,” he said. A video presentation followed, introducing TUJ Kyoto.