12th Osaka University Homecoming Day held

On a beautiful, sunny Sunday, April 30, some 520 members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended  the 12th Osaka University Homecoming Day, a number that exceeded the attendance numbers of last year's Homecoming Day.

In the first half of Homecoming Day held at Osaka University Hall, following a talk about current events at OU by President NISHIO Shojiro and a greeting from Osaka University Federation of Alumni Association President KUMAGAI Nobuaki, the Osaka University Cheerleading Party took the stage for a performance. Afterwards, in a segment entitled "Great Work, OU Students!" there were appearances by students from a variety of fields, including winner of the women's singles division at the 2016 Kansai Student Tennis Tournament HIGUCHI Naoko (3rd year, School of Science) and winner of the 85kg weight class at the 2016 West Japan Student Sumo Tournament by Weight Class NAKAYAMA Kotaro (4th year, School of Economics) with both students speaking about balancing study and sports and their goals for the future. Next was a performance by SHIMOI Ryutaro (2017 graduate, School of Science) and YAMAUCHI Masanori (4th year, School of Foreign Studies) of the student comedy duo B-Koku Shinshi , winners of the 8th National Student Comedy Competition D-1 Grand Prix, filling the venue with laughter with their witty banter.

Finally, the professional a cappella group INSPi captivated the audience with their beautiful harmony. The leader of INSPi, OHKURA Toyoyuki (2002 graduate, School of Engineering), spoke about the group, which started as a group of OU students, saying, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to return and perform at OU."

The social gathering at Café & Restaurant SORA began with a toast by Chairman of the Board and Representative Director of Senshu Ikeda Bank KATAOKA Kazuyuki (1976 graduate, School of Law). During the yearly raffle, delighted winners took commemorative photos with President Nishio, making for a lively and enjoyable event.

With masterful proceedings from yearly MC SEKI Junko (announcer, Kansai TV; 1988 graduate, School of Human Studies), this Homecoming Day was a great time for special guests and participants alike.

We would like to thank all of those who joined us for this 12th Homecoming Day. We hope to further deepen the bonds of the OU Family with what we have planned for next year, so don't miss it!