Students at Kyoto University's Yoshida Dormitory have submitted 8,800 signatures requesting a dialogue about the dormitory's future and the urgent implementation of earthquake-resistant renovations that respect its architectural and historical significance.
On the 19th, students from the Yoshida Dormitory at Kyoto University, represented by the Yoshida Dormitory Autonomous Association, submitted a petition containing about 8,800 signatures to the university. They are advocating for discussions to resume regarding the dormitory's future and calling for the expedited implementation of earthquake-resistant construction that honors the dormitory's architectural and historical value. This move is part of their ongoing signature campaign aimed at fostering a collaborative approach with the university regarding critical decisions affecting their housing.
The Yoshida Dormitory, which was built in 1913, has faced challenges concerning its earthquake safety. The university issued a notice in 2017 for residents to vacate due to these concerns, leading some students to resist leaving. The university filed a lawsuit in 2019, which was resolved when a settlement was reached in August 2025, stipulating that residents would vacate temporarily until renovations were completed, after which they would be allowed to return.
Following this settlement, the students have been seeking to return to a more collaborative decision-making process with the university about the dormitory’s management and future. Presenting the signatures, student representative Akira Okayama stated, "It is concerning if decisions about the building are made unilaterally. We wish to discuss the future of the dormitory," highlighting the students' desire for transparency and participation in the decisions that affect their living conditions.
