News & Topics
- 2025.07.25
- Fukuoka Women’s University will start accepting transgender students from April 2029 onwards.
On Accepting Transgender Students:
Opening the Door to Equal Learning Opportunities for All Aspiring Women
MUKAI Tsuyoshi
President, Fukuoka Women’s University
Fukuoka Women’s University was founded in 1923 as Japan’s first public women’s college at a time when the doors to higher education were largely closed to women. Since then, the university’s fundamental philosophy has been to nurture female leaders who will guide the next generation, while addressing gender-based inequalities in the provision of educational opportunities and adapting to the evolving needs of society.
One hundred years have passed since this university was founded in response to women’s voices for change. In the meantime, concepts of femininity and gender have drastically changed, and society is now rightfully becoming more accepting of gender diversity. Based on the university’s founding history and basic philosophy, we believe it is our mission as a public women’s university to take steps toward embracing the diverse ways of being female and providing our unique learning environment for all motivated women.
Additionally, we must contribute to creating an inclusive society by offering timely education and support to all students and staff, helping them to deepen their understanding of and respect for diversity in terms of not only gender but also people and culture. This support will also encourage respect for the sexuality of others and oneself, as well as every person’s right to freedom of self-expression. We must contribute to the creation of such a tolerant society.
Therefore, in order to further advance the steps towards diversity and inclusion, Fukuoka Women’s University has decided to include transgender women* in the “female” category of the application qualifications for its undergraduate and graduate schools, starting with students wishing to enter the university in April 2029. In preparation for the start of acceptance, we will create an adequate environment where all female students, including transgender students, can live and study together without difficulty. We believe that this process and learning in this new environment will contribute to realizing a diverse and inclusive society, as well as help in the development of human resources with high sensitivity and a global mindset.
(*A person who identifies as a woman, even though their gender on the family register might be male based on physical sex.)
Click here to read the press release.
Opening the Door to Equal Learning Opportunities for All Aspiring Women
MUKAI Tsuyoshi
President, Fukuoka Women’s University
Fukuoka Women’s University was founded in 1923 as Japan’s first public women’s college at a time when the doors to higher education were largely closed to women. Since then, the university’s fundamental philosophy has been to nurture female leaders who will guide the next generation, while addressing gender-based inequalities in the provision of educational opportunities and adapting to the evolving needs of society.
One hundred years have passed since this university was founded in response to women’s voices for change. In the meantime, concepts of femininity and gender have drastically changed, and society is now rightfully becoming more accepting of gender diversity. Based on the university’s founding history and basic philosophy, we believe it is our mission as a public women’s university to take steps toward embracing the diverse ways of being female and providing our unique learning environment for all motivated women.
Additionally, we must contribute to creating an inclusive society by offering timely education and support to all students and staff, helping them to deepen their understanding of and respect for diversity in terms of not only gender but also people and culture. This support will also encourage respect for the sexuality of others and oneself, as well as every person’s right to freedom of self-expression. We must contribute to the creation of such a tolerant society.
Therefore, in order to further advance the steps towards diversity and inclusion, Fukuoka Women’s University has decided to include transgender women* in the “female” category of the application qualifications for its undergraduate and graduate schools, starting with students wishing to enter the university in April 2029. In preparation for the start of acceptance, we will create an adequate environment where all female students, including transgender students, can live and study together without difficulty. We believe that this process and learning in this new environment will contribute to realizing a diverse and inclusive society, as well as help in the development of human resources with high sensitivity and a global mindset.
(*A person who identifies as a woman, even though their gender on the family register might be male based on physical sex.)
Click here to read the press release.
