I am writing to let the SSJ-Forum members know that, thanks to your strong interest and support, and to the hard work of many concerned in Sapporo, Hokusei Gakuen University has decided to renew the contract for Mr Uemura for the next academic year. The formal announcement shall be made at a press conference in the afternoon of December 17th.

It is no exaggeration to say that the reversal of the decision would not have happened without the active engagement of so many of you. Many people inside Hokusei who courageously voiced their support for Mr Uemura and the for academic freedom as well as press freedom were much encouraged by the fact that the wider scholarly community beyond the Japanese borders stood up in solidarity. The President, who initially expressed his intention to let Mr Uemura go at the end of this academic year for fear of further, continuous threats and negative publicity to the university, revisited his decision, and met and apologized to Mr Uemura in the past week.

While this is great news and a victory for basic civil liberties in Japan, it goes without saying that we need to continue to keep our eyes open and provide support for Hokusei and other institutions under threat.

Thank you again!

Koichi Nakano
Sophia University