Key Facts
• On November 19, Governor Motohiko Saito announced a lecture at Kwansei Gakuin University.
• The lecture is part of the university’s “Regional Policy Studies 1” course.
• Approximately 300 students will attend in person, with 200 joining online.
• The lecture, titled “Hyogo’s New Dynamism – Towards the Next Stage,” is scheduled for November 27.
• The university’s law school dean stated the faculty did not formally approve the event.
• Concerns arose over potential protests and campus safety during the lecture.
• The dean proposed a remote lecture format, which the hosting professor rejected.
• Criticism of Governor Saito includes his handling of past political issues.
• The dean expressed discomfort, feeling the university was being used for political performance.
• The controversy has sparked debates on social media, with mixed public reactions.
Summary
Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito’s planned lecture at Kwansei Gakuin University has drawn criticism and sparked controversy. Announced on November 19, the lecture is part of a law school course and will address regional policy topics. However, the university’s law school dean clarified that the faculty did not formally approve the event, raising concerns about the university being used for political purposes. The dean also highlighted safety risks due to potential protests and proposed a remote lecture format, which was declined by the hosting professor. The event has triggered debates on social media, with some questioning the governor’s motives and others supporting the initiative. The lecture is set to proceed on November 27, with 500 students expected to participate both in-person and online.
