The Josai University Educational Corporation (Chancellor Noriko Mizuta) held a commemorative ceremony for its 50th anniversary on October 31, 2015. The ceremony took place in the General Gymnasium on the Josai University Sakado Campus, located in Saitama Prefecture's city of Sakado. The 50th anniversary commemorative ceremony was honored by the presence of Her Highness Hisako, Princess Takamado. It was a magnificent celebration, with attendance by presidents and professors from about fifty sister universities around the world, student and faculty representatives and alumni from both Josai Junior College and sister school Josai International University, as well as guests from around the region. Some of the more honored guests included the ambassadors from Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria, members of the National Diet, local government top officials and lawmakers, and officials from affiliated organizations and businesses. Altogether, about 1,300 guests came to celebrate reaching this half-century milestone.

Before the commemorative ceremony, Her Highness Princess Takamado was presented with an honorary doctorate degree for her many contributions to Josai University's international education activities. As a female leader, she has represented Japan in activities for the promotion of international exchange, and she has made outstanding contributions to the arts and sciences throughout Japan and the world. Chancellor Mizuta gave a few remarks at the award ceremony. “Through your numerous activities, international regard for Japan has risen. What's more, you encourage and guide us with your all-encompassing warmth. We feel extremely privileged that you would accept this honorary degree from our university,” she said, expressing her gratitude.

During her opening address for the commemorative ceremony, Chancellor Mizuta touched upon Mikio Mizuta’s founding principle of “character building through learning” as well as the university’s progress up to now. “We have come this far with the cooperation of the regional and international communities, and by those same means we would like to take yet another step in the cultivation of human resources,” she said. “Deep in my heart, I feel that the most precious thing we have is the support from all of you, from those of you in our region and those of you from universities across the world. I want us to put all of our effort into being a university that can further meet all of your expectations,” she concluded.

After offering a few words of appreciation for the honorary doctorate degree, Her Highness Princess Takamado’s tone became more serious. “Our grandparents’ and parents’ generations gave the utmost sacrifice, doing whatever they could and paying any price. It is because of this that today we have peace and friendly relations with other countries. As we carry our gratitude and respect for our ancestors in one hand, we need to properly hand it off to the next generation, like a sash in a relay race. I have great expectations for the young people currently studying at your three universities. I hope they will look outside Japan and acquire the strength to walk together with the world. I ask that you take this 50th anniversary as an opportunity to try harder than ever, that more and more of your people will become active resources in the international community. I also hope for your university's improvement, growth and prosperity.”

Josai University President Yasunori Morimoto spoke at the ceremony, as well, saying, “The effort of so many affiliates and staff members has truly been a gift that has illuminated these fifty years. I am extremely proud to be able to say that in fifty years we have grown to be a wonderful university.”

Dr. István Szerdahelyi, Hungarian Ambassador to Japan, congratulated the university with a guest speech. “The seeds planted by Mikio Mizuta have grown, and now they bear fruit. Every time I come here, I am surprised at the transformations achieved by Japanese society. With this kind of tireless progress, throughout 50 years Josai University has been turning out responsible people. I give my deepest respect for your service to society,” he offered.

Representing all currently enrolled students were Koichi Takano, a 3rd-year student in the Faculty of Contemporary Policy Studies, and Yuki Kobayashi, a 1st-year student in the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. They announced several vows before the audience, such as “While taking care to preserve the traditions built by our seniors, we feel that it is our mission over the next 50 years to expand even further the links that Josai has around the world,” and “We promise to lift up our founding principle even more.” After that was the presentation of a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the chanting of the university's anthem. Then with the ceremonial popping of the kusudama ball, the commemorative ceremony was over.

A reception followed the commemorative ceremony. Once again, Chancellor Mizuta addressed the guests. After Josai International University President Hakuo Yanagisawa led everyone in the toast, the attention changed to several guest speakers who wished to offer their congratulations. One of those speakers was South Korea's Hannam University President Hyung Tae Kim, who presented Her Highness Princess Takamado with an honorary doctorate degree during April of last year and just this year in August also awarded Chancellor Mizuta an honorary doctorate. Drawing from the Bible, he said, “Through cooperation and exchange, Korean and Japanese young people can respect one another’s cultures. We hope that we can come together academically and contribute in a big way to the development of Northeast Asia.” A professor choral group from Dongseo University provided entertainment with five songs for the reception. They performed Korean songs as well as the Japanese songs “Furusato” (Hometown) and “Kojo no Tsuki” (The Moon over the Ruined Castle), adding a touch of color to the evening.

At the end of the reception, Chancellor Mizuta wanted to express her full gratitude for everyone’s cooperation up to that point. Thank-you letters were given to the university’s Parent Support Association, Pharmacology Cooperation Association and Alumni Association, as well as to sister universities abroad, collaborative businesses, media companies, and people from around the region. Additionally, Josai Family Awards were given to their representatives.

Between the commemorative ceremony and the reception, Her Highness Princess Takamado took the time to visit the Mikio Mizuta Memorial Hall Exhibition Room that had just been opened on July 1. She showed great enthusiasm for the "Masterpieces of Mizuta Collection," which were on display until November 3. It was a special exhibition that included nine Sharaku Toshusai works from the collection in the Mizuta Museum of Art.

The Josai University Educational Corporation established Josai University in 1965 in the city of Sakado. In 1983 at the same location, the Josai Women’s Junior College (changed to Josai Junior College in 2000) was established, and in 1992 Josai International University was established in Togane, Chiba Prefecture. Upon the corporation’s 40th anniversary in 2005, the Kioicho Campus was established in the Kioicho area of Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. Its position serves as a link between the three universities on three different campuses. Between the three universities, there are currently about 14,000 students, and they have had approximately 100,000 graduates.