Natural to Accept Transgender Students: Ochanomizu Univ.

July 11, 2018

Tokyo- The decision of Ochanomizu University, a women's university in Tokyo, to accept transgender students is a natural course of action, head of the university said Tuesday.

"It's only natural to accept those hoping to study seriously," Kimiko Murofushi, president of the university, said at a press conference. The new policy is "in line with moves in society to embrace diversity," she added, explaining the decision announced last week.

From the fiscal year beginning in April 2020, the national university will offer undergraduate and graduate programs to students who are men under Japan's family registration system but see themselves as women.

It will also accept such students for a transfer program from fiscal 2022.

Ahead of the acceptance, Ochanomizu will set up a committee and draw up guidelines.

The qualification for admission will be changed to those who are registered as women or self-identify their gender as female.

The university will confirm that the applicants self-identify as female and provide them with information about campus life to prevent any trouble.

No objections were raised by its teachers and students, the school said.

Similar moves can be seen at other women's universities, including Tokyo Women's Christian University, Japan Women's University and Nara Women's University, which are positively considering accepting transgender students. Jiji Press