Students in Kyoto set cameras rolling before university closesーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Demographic Crisis: The impact of Japan’s declining birth rate on higher education institutions.
• Institutional Closure: The suspension of admissions at Kyoto Notre Dame University starting in the 2026 academic year.
• Creative Expression as Coping: Using filmmaking as a medium to process grief and preserve institutional legacy.
• Alma Mater: The emotional connection between students and their university.

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The Crisis of Kyoto Notre Dame University

Kyoto Notre Dame University, a prestigious women’s institution, has announced the suspension of all new admissions beginning in the 2026 academic year. This decision is a direct consequence of Japan’s ongoing demographic crisis—specifically, a plummeting birth rate that has led to a sustained decline in university applications across the country. Despite proactive efforts by the student body to reverse this trend, including independent promotional campaigns and outreach to local high schools, the university could not overcome the systemic enrollment challenges.

Filmmaking as a Response to Institutional Loss

In response to the announcement, a student film club, led by fourth-year student and director Ozaki Hisano, chose to document their experience and honor the university’s history through a film. The project served two primary purposes:

1. Emotional Processing: Providing a creative outlet for students to navigate the grief and shock associated with the loss of their campus.
2. Archival Preservation: Immortalizing the physical spaces of the university—such as the fountain and long-standing classrooms—that hold decades of collective memory.

Narrative Framework and Production

The film production process was highly collaborative, with students carefully curating the script to reflect the emotional weight of the closure.

• Plot Structure: The narrative centers on a student who encounters a mysterious senior figure. Together, they traverse the campus, highlighting familiar locations that serve as the backdrop for their shared history.
• The Climax: A pivotal scene features the protagonist in a job interview, where she is forced to articulate her feelings regarding the university’s closure, mirroring the real-world anxiety felt by the students.
• The Title: The film’s title is revealed only at the conclusion, utilizing the university’s official motto, which serves as a symbolic link to generations of alumnae.

Impact and Reception

The film debuted to an audience of over 100 people, including university alumni, creating a bridge between past and present generations.

• Personal Growth: Director Ozaki Hisano noted that the project transformed her confidence, stating: "I wasn't confident before. But now, I can stand here and speak in front of all of you and create something like this."
• Community Sentiment: The screening was marked by emotional resonance, with alumni expressing pride in the students' ability to articulate the pain of losing an alma mater. The film is intended to serve as a permanent record, filling the "void" left by the physical disappearance of the institution.

Synthesis

The situation at Kyoto Notre Dame University highlights the profound social and psychological impact of Japan’s demographic decline on educational infrastructure. By transitioning from a state of mourning to creative production, the students successfully transformed a narrative of institutional failure into one of personal empowerment and historical preservation. The film stands as a testament to the enduring bond between students and their university, ensuring that while the institution may close, its legacy remains documented.