Josai University’s Sakado Campus, located in Saitama Prefecture, celebrated the completion of its new Medicinal Plant Garden. The ceremony in honor of this occasion was held on March 2, 2016, at the new garden located near campus. The event was part of a celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Josai University Educational Corporation (Chancellor Noriko Mizuta). Approximately 300 people attended the ceremony, including faculty members, local guests, and representatives from affiliated businesses and organizations. The Saitama Pharmaceutical Association's President Hajime Koibuchi and the Japan Association of Botanical Gardens' Managing Director Katsumi Iizuka were among the distinguished guests. This new Medicinal Plant Garden will not only be a place for students to study, but also a place of learning to be used by the regional community and society.

Josai University's Medicinal Plant Garden was first established on campus in 1973, at the same time as the founding of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Later in 1980, the garden became a member of the Japan Association of Botanical Gardens. Currently, construction is underway on campus for the New Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, which is one of the main projects to celebrate Josai University’s 50th Anniversary. Because of this construction, the garden has been moved to a site along the left bank of the Komagawa River, about a 3-minute walk from campus. The ground is about 3000 m². Several steel-framed one-story structures are set up at the new Medicinal Plant Garden, including a high-ceilinged greenhouse (about 85 m²), a low-ceilinged greenhouse (about 114 m²), and a boiler room. There is also a two-story steel-framed administrative building (about 190 m²) in one corner of the garden. The administrative building was the first structure to be built. It contains various facilities, including the processing and regulation room, a research laboratory, and a reference room. The cultivation of herbs and spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, and mango is being kept to the greenhouses. Meanwhile, large flowered barrenwort, Japanese goldthread, and other medicinal plants are being grown alongside natural vegetation in an open plain. In all, approximately 800 different types of plants are being cultivated on the grounds.

On the day of the completion ceremony, a Shinto ritual was performed to bless the garden. Following this ritual, Chancellor Mizuta addressed the assembled guests. "It took the help of many people for us to arrive at this point, and we extend to all of you our deepest gratitude." She continued, saying, "We are so happy that this part of our 50th Anniversary Project has been completed and that we can now hold proper educational lessons here." Chancellor Mizuta was then joined by JU President Yasunori Morimoto, JIU President Hakuo Yanagisawa, and a student representative in front of the administrative building for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Following the guests enjoyed a preview of the grounds, a commemorative celebration was held in the Faculty of Business Administration Building. Chancellor Mizuta opened the event with a few remarks. "I am very pleased that we now have this wonderful place. It is a place where we can grow plants with care and consideration while also studying for building a healthy society. Each and every plant grown here will hold a part of that history, and this medicinal plant garden will grow full of stories. I hope that all our students will take those stories with them as they weave their own." She also made an announcement, saying, "Up to now, we have been promoting this 50th Anniversary Project in an effort to turn the lush greenery of our entire campus into a 'botanical garden.' And now, we are registered with the Japan Association of Botanical Gardens."
　 President Koibuchi and Managing Director Iizuka also addressed the guests, offering their congratulations. Following that, the Medicinal Plant Garden's Director Yoshiaki Shirataki―also a professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences―presented not only the garden but also his ambitions for it. He explained, "We will be holding lectures and observation events aimed at raising an interest in plants and our natural environment. I look forward to contributing to the cultural development of our region." Additionally, the celebration was graced by a choral ensemble from the nearby Kapira Kindergarten (Principal Noriko Tsuchida). Seventy-two of the school's older children brightened the event with their cheerful performance.