ニュース 2026年10月21日午前04時00分
Japan's Ministry of Education has for the first time urged the University of Tokyo to review and account for its presidential selection process, after former Vice President Fujigaki Yuko—who received roughly half the votes of the top-polling candidate in a faculty ballot—was chosen as the next president in a surprise reversal. In Canada, CBC reported that voters in Alberta appear set to reject moving forward with formal secession procedures following an October 19 referendum. Meanwhile, in Kitami, Hokkaido, the beloved annual 'Marumero-yu' event—in which the city's signature quince fruit is floated in hot-spring baths—got underway on October 20.
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What this episode answers
What did the Ministry of Education request of the University of Tokyo, and why?
MEXT requested that the University of Tokyo verify the circumstances of its selection process and fulfil its accountability obligations to parties inside and outside the university—the first time the ministry has ever sought a review of an individual national university's presidential selection.
Why is the University of Tokyo's presidential selection process under scrutiny?
In the faculty transitional vote, the highest vote-getter was passed over in favor of former Vice President Fujigaki Yuko (藤垣裕子), who had received roughly half as many votes, prompting widespread calls from within and beyond the university for a detailed explanation of the selection rationale.
What was the outcome of the referendum in Alberta, Canada?
CBC reported, based on its own analysis, that as of just after 2:00 p.m. Japan time on October 20, those in favor of remaining in Canada appeared set to form a majority; the October 19 referendum asked whether to proceed with legally binding secession procedures.
What grievances underlie Alberta's independence movement?
There is deep-seated frustration with the federal government over a perceived failure to fully share the benefits of Alberta's abundant oil wealth, and the provincial government is also said to have pursued the referendum partly as a political maneuver to extract budget and other concessions from Ottawa; tensions with the Trump administration over tariffs also formed part of the backdrop.
What is the Marumero-yu event in Kitami City, and when does it run?
The Marumero-yu is an annual event at the Kitami City Health Center Seseragi Onsen in which approximately 70 quinces—Kitami's specialty produce—are floated in the baths; it began on October 20, 2026 and runs through October 25.
Ministry of Education Issues Unprecedented Request for Review of University of Tokyo Presidential Selection
Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has requested that the University of Tokyo verify the circumstances of its presidential selection process and fulfil its accountability obligations to audiences both inside and outside the university. It is the first time MEXT has ever sought a review of an individual national university's presidential selection, making the step highly unusual.
The controversy traces back to last month's (September's) selection. In a transitional vote by faculty and staff, one candidate received the highest number of votes. Yet former Vice President Fujigaki Yuko (藤垣裕子), who had received roughly half that candidate's tally, was chosen in an upset to become the designated next president. The result triggered a wave of calls, from within and beyond the university, for a full explanation of the selection rationale.
In its request, MEXT stated that "taking firm account of its social responsibilities and fulfilling its accountability obligations is critical to advancing the governance reforms of the University of Tokyo." The ministry asked the university to examine what discussions took place in the selection committee and how each candidate was evaluated and compared, adding that it should "report to MEXT without delay should any materially improper facts be identified."
Minister of Education Seki, speaking at a press conference on October 20, said: "It is regrettable that a clear explanation of the selection process and the reasons for the selection has not been forthcoming. I believe it is important for the university corporation to exercise its autonomy and independence in pursuing verification and improvement."
Alberta, Canada Independence Referendum Expected to Favor Remaining in Canada
On October 19, the western Canadian province of Alberta—home to abundant oil reserves—held a referendum asking whether to proceed with legally binding steps toward secession. CBC, Canada's public broadcaster, reported based on its own analysis that as of just after 2:00 p.m. Japan time on October 20, those in favor of remaining in Canada appeared set to form a majority.
Several factors lie behind the vote. Long-standing frustration with the federal government has been building within the province over a perceived failure to fully share the benefits of Alberta's vast oil wealth. The provincial government is also said to have pursued the referendum partly as a political maneuver to extract budget and other concessions from Ottawa.
The vote had become a major challenge for the federal government led by Prime Minister Carney. With Canada-US relations under strain over tariff disputes with the Trump administration, Carney traveled to Alberta personally to call for unity and signaled his intention to expand energy exports from the province. Even with a majority for remaining appearing likely, how the federal government addresses the region's underlying grievances is expected to remain an ongoing domestic political issue.
Annual "Marumero-yu" Bath Event Begins in Kitami, Hokkaido
On October 20, the Kitami City Health Center Seseragi Onsen (北見市健康センターせせらぎ温泉) in Kitami, Hokkaido, launched its annual "Marumero-yu" event, in which the city's specialty fruit—the quince (marumero)—is floated in the bathtubs. This year approximately 70 quinces were placed in the baths, and visitors were seen picking them up, admiring them, and savoring their fragrance as they relaxed.
The quince is a fruit native to Central Asia, roughly the size of a softball, and prized for its sweet scent. Full-scale cultivation in Kitami began about 40 years ago. The facility holds the event each year during harvest season so that as many people as possible can enjoy the aroma of this local specialty.
A man in his 70s who visited said, "It makes me feel like the season has arrived. The sweet fragrance is wonderful." A man in his 80s added, "It's my one pleasure of the year. Soaking in the hot spring puts me in a great mood." Yamada Takashi (山田孝), who manages the facility on behalf of a social welfare corporation, commented: "This year's quinces are beautifully shaped and impressive. The scent is something to enjoy, so please do come and visit." The Marumero-yu runs through October 25.
Takeaways
- MEXT's unprecedented request that the University of Tokyo review its presidential selection process puts the university's governance transparency squarely under the spotlight.
- Alberta's referendum is expected to return a majority for remaining in Canada, but the province's deep frustration over oil revenues and federal relations remains an ongoing challenge for Prime Minister Carney's government.
- The Marumero-yu, rooted in about 40 years of quince cultivation in Kitami, is a seasonal highlight at the Seseragi Onsen running through October 25.
This article is edited from a machine transcript of the first 30 minutes of the episode. It is not an official summary — please listen to the episode itself.