The 6th Kyoto University Homecoming Day was held under the theme of "Restoration and Support Related to the Great East Japan Earthquake." A total of 2300 alumni (including graduates and former staff members), staff members and students participated in the event.
The general assembly was held at the Centennial Hall of the Clock Tower Centennial Hall under the chairmanship of Executive Vice-President Yuzo Ohnishi. At the beginning, President Hiroshi Matsumoto (chairman of the Kyoto University Alumni) gave a speech in which he expressed his wish "to make this event an opportunity to reflect on kizuna, or ‘human ties.'" Then, representing the executive officers of Kyoto University alumni associations, speeches were given by Mr. Koji Onogi (coordinator of the Kyoto University Gifu Alumni), Ms. Chen Suying (director of the Kyoto University Taiwan Alumni), and Ms. Anchaleepon Waritswat Lothongkum (committee member of the Kyoto Union Club in Thailand).
During the first memorial lecture session, which was packed with a full-capacity audience, House of Representatives member Seiji Maehara gave a lecture titled "Japan's Growth Strategy, Foreign Relations and Security" and House of Councilors member Tetsuro Fukuyama gave a lecture titled "Facing the Great East Japan Earthquake." Later, Ms. Chen Suying and Mr. Su Xianyang from the Taiwan Alumni and Ms. Anchaleepon Waritswat Lothongkum from the Thai Kyoto Union Club spoke, respectively, on their experiences of restoration after the disasters that occurred in their own countries. Later, Professor Kenichi Yoshikawa from the Graduate School of Science (assistant to the executive vice-president) gave a presentation titled "Kyoto University's Initiatives After the Great East Japan Earthquake."
Then, a memorial concert by thirty-three members of the Kyoto University Symphonic Band followed, which included the performance of such titles as Ue-wo-Muite Arukou ("Looking Up While Walking"), also known as Sukiyaki.
After the memorial concert, participants moved to the International Conference Hall to participate in a social gathering, which opened with an address and toast by Executive Vice-President Akihiko Akamatsu. Attending the party were alumni from inside and outside Japan as well as many students--including those from cultural and sports clubs like the TREVIS student circle, which gave a cheerleading performance. Amid the celebratory atmosphere, Mr. Hiroki Tsuji, the cheering squad leader, gave a college yell and Mr. Daisuke Saegusa, the assistant leader, led the chorus of the first college cheer song, Shinsei no Ibuki ("Breath of New Life"). The party ended on a happy note.
During the second memorial lecture session after the party, Mr. Takeshi Umehara, philosopher and an Order of Culture recipient, gave a lecture titled "How Civilization Should Change" to a packed audience at the Centennial Hall.
Other programs on the day of the event included "Exchange Meeting between Graduates and Current Undergraduate/Graduate Students" at the International Conference Hall, where young graduates and current students eagerly exchanged views on job hunting. In addition, Seifu-so Villa, Sonjodo and the University Library were open for free visits. Many participants toured an archive room displaying documents from the Third High School, the Faculty of Letters Exhibition Hall, and the special exhibition at the Kyoto University Museum titled "Studies of Egyptian Antiquities by William Matthew Flinders Petrie and Kosaku Hamada."
Lecture sessions and social gatherings by faculty, department and regional alumni groups were also held at the Clock Tower Centennial Hall and Rakuyu Kaikan, adding to the festive mood of the day.
The next homecoming day is scheduled for November 10, 2012 (Saturday). We welcome the participation of not only alumni, but also current staff members, students and their families.
 From left, Executive Vice-President Ohnishi, President Matsumoto, House of Representatives member Maehara, Mr. Onogi from the Gifu Alumni and House of Councilors member Fukuyama | |
 From left, Ms. Chen Suying, Ms. Anchaleepon Waritswat Lothongkum and Mr. Su Xianyang, Professor Yoshikawa and Mr. Umehara | |
 Lecture session |  Performance by the Kyoto University Symphonic Band |
 Exchange meeting between graduates and the present undergraduate/graduate students |  TREVIS performing a cheerleading stunt |
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| Leader Tsuji of the cheering squad, leading participants in the college yell, and the audience | |