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There was a lovely surprise waiting for the freshers at this year’s entrance ceremony of Showa Medical University – none other than Japanese actress Hashimoto Kanna showed up unannounced, and the whole room lit up the moment she stepped on stage.
Held at the Meiji Jingu Kaikan in Tokyo, the ceremony welcomed 614 new students from the School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Health & Medical Sciences.
The mood was formal, with a quiet excitement buzzing among the incoming students, all geared up to begin their journey into medicine.
Just when everyone thought the ceremony had wrapped up, in walked Hashimoto – dressed elegantly, with her signature smile – and the hall erupted into cheers and gasps of surprise.
She began her short but heartfelt speech with a warm, “Congratulations to all the new students of Showa Medical University, and to the parents as well.”
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| Hashimoto Kanna Cheers on Freshers in Tokyo |
She admitted she was nervous herself since it was her very first time speaking at such a formal academic event.
The actress, now 26, is about to star in the upcoming drama Ameku Takao no Suiri Karte, where she plays a genius doctor for the first time in her career.
She shared a bit about how tough the filming has been. “Medical terms are super difficult,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve been studying every day to keep up!”
But her tone quickly shifted to a more serious and respectful one.
“The more I’ve learned, the more I deeply admire all medical professionals. I know many of you will face some really tough days ahead, but please lean on the friends around you, and never stop chasing your dreams.”
She even joked, “Since you’ll all be heading straight to the Yamanashi campus soon for lectures and training, maybe I’ll swing by for a visit too!”
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| Actress Hashimoto Kanna Warms Hearts at Med Uni |
Founded back in 1928, Showa Medical University – previously known as Showa University until its recent renaming on 1 April – has nearly a century of legacy behind it.
It's one of Japan’s most prestigious institutions in the medical field, producing countless professionals across disciplines.
Kanna’s surprise appearance added a personal, uplifting touch to what was already a big day for the new students and their families.
Her message wasn’t just inspiring; it was a rare bridge between pop culture and medical academia, showing that encouragement can come from the most unexpected places.
The applause that followed her words was loud, long, and full of hope – a fitting start to what will likely be a long, challenging, and meaningful road ahead for these young future doctors and healthcare professionals.