TOKYO - The iconic Red Gate of the University of Tokyo, long seen as a symbol and goal for aspiring students hoping to "walk through the gate," is now closed due to seismic safety concerns.
A project is underway to restore the structure in time for the university’s 150th anniversary in 2027, but a shortage of donations is complicating progress.
In 2021, inspections revealed that the gate could collapse in a major earthquake or strong winds. It has remained closed since February that year, surrounded by fencing and covered with protective netting.
The university aims to reopen the gate in 2027, which also marks the 200th anniversary of its construction. However, according to Masako Takahashi, deputy director of the Development Office, funding remains insufficient despite support from the government and local authorities. Public grants prioritize education and research, leaving the gate’s restoration underfunded.
To fill the gap, posters have been placed in nearby shopping streets and storefronts appealing for donations. So far, about 230 million yen has been raised, far short of the 1 billion yen target. As an incentive, donors’ names will be inscribed on the back of new roof tiles to be installed on the gate.
Many current students have never passed through the Red Gate, which has been closed for more than four years. Some expressed excitement about the project: “I’ve never gone through it, but it’s an important building and should be preserved,” said one student. Others voiced skepticism, suggesting funds would be better used for education costs.
The challenge extends beyond the Red Gate. The university’s Faculty of Science Building No. 2, a major research hub, is also deteriorating with peeling walls, tilted floors, and windows that no longer close, prompting another fundraising effort.
Financial strains continue to weigh on the institution. In fiscal 2025, tuition will be raised for the first time in 20 years, while the university’s endowment remains small compared with overseas institutions—just 29.9 billion yen, compared with Harvard University’s 7 trillion yen and Oxford University’s 1 trillion yen.
Whether the Red Gate can be restored in time for the 2027 anniversary remains an open question, but the project has become a test of how the university preserves its heritage amid mounting financial pressures.
Source: FNN
