On October 6 to 7, 2022, Sophia University hosted the 5th Japan-Mexico Rectors’ Summit. The summit serves as a venue for higher education institutes from Japan and Mexico to build friendly relationships and hold discussions with a view to future development.
It has been held once every two years since 2011 with universities from both countries taking turns to serve as hosts.

The main theme of the fifth summit was “Universities and Global Risks” and participants discussed the social role of universities in regard to various global issues. The summit was attended by a total of around 80 people, including leadership figures from 24 universities and institutions in Japan and 18 in Mexico.

Student staff from the Office of Sophia Sustainability Promotion also participated in hosting duties. Student staff created furoshiki clothes made from recycled PET bottles, which were presented to attendees as a commemorative gift, and then held a demonstration of how to wrap them. The attendees from Mexico showed a great interest in the furoshiki, which are Japan’s traditional eco-bag, and showed delighted at receiving them.