On Sunday, October 15, the 2023 Mita-Kai Homecoming Day (Keio Rengo Mita-Kai Taikai) was organized without COVID-19 infection prevention measures and other restrictions for the first time in four years. It was held at the Hiyoshi Campus to cater to everyone in Keio and the local community. This year's slogan was "Looking up once again upon the morning star of hope," a call for us to renew our hope for the future while also a reminder of the social upheavals and turbulent times we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The commemorative ceremony for the event was held at the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall from 10:00 a.m. Kichihei Mori, chairperson of the event's planning committee, officially opened the festivities. Following that, the Keio school flag was brought to the stage and a rendition of the Alma Mater, or Juku-ka, was played. Akiko Suganuma, president of the Keio Rengo Mita-Kai, then delivered her address in which she figuratively passed the baton to Yutaka Aso, a member of the Keio University Board of Councillors, who will be taking over the position in her stead. Following the congratulatory address by President Kohei Itoh, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Keio alumnus Yuzo Kayama for his contributions to the university over the years. After this, attendees watched a 50-year graduation commemorative videotape, featuring images from the college days of the class of 1973. More than 1,200 Keio alumni were invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation this year. Kazuhisa Koizumi, representative of the 1973 Mita-kai, then spoke about how it had not been possible to have graduation ceremonies back in March 1973, making it their goal to assemble the class fifty years later. This ceremony was the successful culmination of that dream. Finally, members of the high school baseball team, which won the championship at the Japan National High School Baseball Tournament (Koshien) this summer, reported on their victory. The event closed with "Wakaki-chi," a popular Keio school song.
The Mita-kai Homecoming Day also included other events such as a three-way talk session, "Meeting in Real Life: The Source of Honorable Character in a Post-COVID-19 World," involving President Itoh, Akira Ikegami, and Shu Yamaguchi. There was also a kids' cheerleading workshop and other programs for participants of all ages to enjoy at various venues on Hiyoshi Campus. Numerous food stalls were set up as well, and many people could be seen enjoying their meals in front of the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall and in the courtyard after the rain had cleared up. For the grand finale, there was a raffle with extravagant prizes and a stage where people could sing various cheers, marking the end of a blissful day of long-awaited reunions.