The Era of University Disputes

2019/12/23

Image: In 1968, the All-Juku Student Assembly on October 18 (in front of the South School Building, Mita) served as the catalyst for ending the strike; on November 2, a Keio students assembly was also held at Hiyoshi.

In the late 1960s, a storm of campus disputes swept through universities across Japan, leading to situations such as long-term suspension of classes due to strikes, cancellation of entrance examinations, and the occupation of university buildings. Keio University was no exception, and in 1968, the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration) was occupied by some students.

In the "Tuition Increase Opposition Dispute" that began in January 1965, the strikes by Keio University students—who were previously considered quiet—and the use of signboards that displayed a sense of composure and humor not seen at other universities, were covered by the media as a "completely new type of student movement," becoming the herald of the era of turmoil that followed.

The photos show the 1965 dispute, the 1968 "US Military Funding Dispute," and the 1969 "University Legislation Dispute." Later, entering the 1970s, the "Second Tuition Revision Dispute" occurred in 1972. Year-end exams that were cancelled at the end of the academic year were postponed to the following year, graduation ceremonies were held by individual faculties, and the entrance ceremony for the following year was also cancelled. In June, classes at Hiyoshi finally opened, resulting in the summer vacation being pushed back.

Many books have been published regarding what the university disputes of this era were about, and while it is not easy to clarify everything, a portion of that history is introduced here.

The related texts include an article edited based on a posthumous interview with Professor Emeritus Kenkichiro Iwamatsu (who passed away in August of this year), who was involved in the tuition increase opposition dispute as a student government leader in the Faculty of Letters in 1965, and a contribution by Toshihisa Nagura, President of the Mita Athletic Association, who sought campus harmony from his position as captain of the Athletic Association Karate Club during the 1968 US military funding dispute and the 1969 university legislation dispute.

〈Editorial Department〉

1965

A barricade built on the slope from the main gate (Mita)

1968

The US military funding dispute, which erupted from newspaper reports on June 3, 1968, led to the occupation of the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration) by radicals after several meetings with Vice-Presidents and the President, but the occupation was ended by the hands of Keio students.

On July 5, Hiyoshi Campus was blockaded by barricades and entered an indefinite strike. Meanwhile, in Mita, meetings were frequently held by Keio students.

Three meetings with President Kunio Nagasawa were held (Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration) Conference Hall 3, Mita).

Vice-President Aida at the student assembly on July 1 (Room 518, Mita).

President Kunio Nagasawa. In the Office of the President after the occupation was cleared (October 4).

3rd Floor of the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration)

A gathering of students in the Mita courtyard

On October 28, the Faculty of Law resumed classes at Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall for the first time in 115 days; on November 4, classes resumed for all faculties.

Resolution to end the strike at the All-Juku Student Assembly on November 2. Barricades were removed by Keio students (Hiyoshi).

1969

The university legislation dispute, which began with the Hiyoshi student assembly in May 1969, saw Hiyoshi blockaded by barricades again at the end of June, and in August, all buildings in Hiyoshi, the Mita South School Building, and research offices were occupied. On September 11, President Saku Sato expressed his convictions to over 10,000 students gathered at the Hiyoshi Rugby Field. Subsequently, on October 13, the barricades at Hiyoshi were removed by faculty and staff while the riot police were on standby.