120th Anniversary Celebration – Imperial Hotel Tokyo
On the evening of Saturday, 22nd March 2025, 158 members and guests of The Cambridge & Oxford Society gathered at the Imperial Hotel to celebrate the Society’s 120th anniversary. The occasion carried an unmistakably imperial tone, not only due to the venue itself but also thanks to the distinguished presence of HIH Princess Akiko of Mikasa (Merton, Oxford 2004) and HIH Princess Takamado (Girton, Cambridge 1972).
Upon arrival, attendees were welcomed by the lively atmosphere of the reception hall, where the sound of animated conversation, champagne glasses, and live music by a string quartet from the Toho Gakuen School of Music set the tone for the evening.
When the doors to the main dining hall opened, guests discovered that this elegant beginning had only been a prelude. Like a kaleidoscope unfolding, the entrance to the Fuji Room revealed a spectacular setting: a grand 1,200-square-metre hall illuminated by two large chandeliers and a gold backdrop depicting its namesake mountain. The grandeur of the hall perfectly complemented the black-tie dress code, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a more classical age.
Representative Honorary Secretary Tim Minton (St John’s Cambridge 1977) opened the formal proceedings with reflections on the Society’s origins and rich history. He noted that part of this history remains mysterious, as the Society’s first minutes book likely did not survive the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923. What was not lost, however, was the spirit of camaraderie, reflected in Tim’s engaging overview of the colleges represented that evening.
Continuing the theme of connection, Princess Takamado and Princess Akiko reminded the audience that despite the varied achievements and experiences from their respective colleges, it is the shared experience of attending Cambridge and Oxford that brings members together — across borders, across generations, and across the two universities.
Following these remarks, British Chargé d’Affaires Emil Levendoğlu (King’s Cambridge 1990 / Merton Oxford 1994) offered a toast, marking the transition from speeches to dinner.
Guests then enjoyed a superb six-course meal paired with wines from the Imperial Hotel’s collection. Amid lively conversation, the evening progressed to a memorable moment: Tim Minton’s announcement, during his closing remarks, that he would be stepping down from his role as Representative Honorary Secretary. An audible gasp was heard throughout the hall — no small feat given its size.
Naoko Miyazaki (St Anne’s Oxford 1992), who will assume the role, reassured those present that Tim would continue as one of the regular Honorary Secretaries. She also affirmed her commitment to leading the Society together with her husband Masato Miyazaki (Trinity Oxford 1986), in the same collaborative spirit exemplified by Tim and Yoko Minton throughout the past 25 years.
After dinner, around 80 attendees — including Their Imperial Highnesses — moved to a more intimate, softly lit private space at the 17th floor Aqua Bar. There, guests enjoyed digestifs, cheese platters, and warm conversation that carried on until closing time.
It was an evening that will be remembered for years to come — the beginning of another decade marked by history, connection, and shared memories within the Cambridge & Oxford Society.
— Robert Brand (St Hugh’s Oxford 2013 / Wolfson Oxford 2018)