Kyosei Station arcoíris

If you look up "ibasho" (a place where one belongs) in a dictionary, it is defined as "a place where a person can feel settled and at ease" (*1). In a university that values diversity, what kind of space should that be? Let's consider this from the perspective of social structures that create "difficulty in living" and the stance taken to resist them.

Let's start with the concept of "intersectionality." Our society contains various differences such as gender, race, ethnicity, class, disability, age, and sexuality. Intersectionality is a way of thinking that understands how these differences intersect in complex ways to create structural oppression and inequality, and enables transformation. This term was first used by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American legal scholar and activist. In her 1989 paper "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex" (*2), she explains discrimination by overlaying it with the image of an intersection. When an accident occurs at an intersection, it may be caused by cars coming from multiple directions, or sometimes from all directions. What Crenshaw clarified in her paper is that people whose identities—such as gender, race, class, and others—overlap and are marginalized in multiple ways are like people standing at an "intersection" where cars are coming and going. She points out that those marginalized by society in multiple ways must dodge many cars, increasing the danger of standing at the intersection.

Crenshaw's image is important because it reveals not only the complexity of discrimination—being exposed to multiple forms of discrimination—but also the structure of oppression arising from the fact that these discriminations intersect. Have you heard the term "institutional racism"? Since "institutional" means "organized" or "customary," we can understand it to mean that discrimination is embedded within society. That is precisely why transformation from the roots is necessary. If you look at your immediate surroundings and feel that a society respecting diversity is being realized, please look further toward the periphery. You should be able to see people facing complex difficulties that you had never noticed before.

By deeply understanding the concept of intersectionality, we become aware of the existence of people facing various difficulties in living, not limited to the differences mentioned earlier like race, ethnicity, class, disability, age, and sexuality. We also realize the need for a place where everyone can feel safe, rather than an intersection where dangers cross. The difficulties people carry may be multifaceted or complex. What kind of space allows such inner voices to be conveyed? The poet Maya Angelou, who lived in the same era as Crenshaw, said that all of us "yearn for a safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned" (*3). Perhaps the ideal is a Kyosei (harmonious living) space where one can relax quietly without being questioned, probed, or blamed—a place where it is okay to open one's heart a little or try to engage in dialogue, and where one can connect gently.

In May 2025, "Kyosei Station arcoíris" will open.

(*1) Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten, 7th Edition

(*2) Kimberlé Crenshaw, "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics" (University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989)

(*3) Maya Angelou, All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986)

This is a place for information dissemination and interaction aimed at respecting and understanding the various differences that exist between us—such as gender, sexuality, disability, race, and culture—not as "differences," but as "individuality." A place where each person can spend time freely and with respect while valuing their true self.

...That is "Kyosei Station arcoíris."

This is a safe and secure space that any Keio students and faculty/staff can use with peace of mind. When you want to spend time quietly, it serves as a place to concentrate on reading or studying, and when you want to talk or consult, you can speak with the resident coordinator.

Arcoíris means "rainbow" in Spanish. It also carries positive meanings such as hope, the future, diversity, and a bridge. "Iris" is the name of the rainbow goddess in Greek mythology and a flower in the Iridaceae family; its flower language includes "hope" and "good news."

Just as different colors harmonize to form one beautiful shape, "Kyosei Station arcoíris" hopes to become a place of belonging for all Keio students and faculty/staff, toward the realization of a society where diverse individualities live together and resonate with one another.

Location: Keio University Mita Campus

2-15-45 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8345

Information Plaza 2nd Floor MAP

Opening Hours: Tue, Thu, Fri (11:30-16:00)

Lunch Time (11:30-13:30)

*Opening days and times are subject to change.

Please check the Opening Calendar for the latest information.

Eligible Users: Keio students, faculty and staff

To maintain a comfortable and safe space, please cooperate with the following points:

We accept individual consultations regarding gender, sexuality, life, career, and employment. This is a place where you can safely talk about feelings such as "I'm struggling but can't talk to anyone" or "I want to find a way of living and working that is true to myself." Consultations are strictly confidential. Instead of carrying it all alone, why not start by talking? We value the time spent empathizing with your feelings and thinking together.

As a hub for promoting the realization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we will collaborate closely with relevant organizations and various consultation desks within the university to build a university-wide support system.

Aiming for a campus where everyone can spend time without anxiety, we will actively promote the removal of barriers in university environments and systems. We will also look at invisible barriers and proceed with creating an environment where "no one is left behind."

We will hold events and projects to deepen understanding of diversity, centered around initiatives such as "Kyosei Environment Promotion Week." Workshops and study sessions will be held in the room on an irregular basis.