The first one was from Moscow State University during the height of the Cold War. A month before Mr Ikeda’s second visit to the Soviet Union, at the request of the university’s faculty of philosophy, the university decided to bestow an honorary doctorate upon Mr Ikeda.

Conducting a rigorous screening process, universities and other academic institutions grant honorary degrees to people they deem worthy of special merit.

The first one was from Moscow State University during the height of the Cold War. A month before Mr Ikeda’s second visit to the Soviet Union, at the request of the university’s faculty of philosophy, the university decided to bestow an honorary doctorate upon Mr Ikeda.

In May 1975, Mr Ikeda visited Moscow. Vice Rector Vladimir Tropin and several members of the staff from Moscow State University came to the hotel Mr Ikeda was staying to inform him of the schedule of events. They then told them the school planned to confer an honorary doctorate upon him. After expressing his deep appreciation, Mr Ikeda replied, “With regard to cultural and educational exchange, our progress has only just begun.” He asserted the exchange between Japan and Soviet Union he intended to promote was solely for peace, not for any honours. Hearing this Professor Tropin and the other officials seemed surprise and somewhat worried.

Professor Tropin insisted, explaining that the university had already made the decision to do so. After a while, Mr Ikeda accepted. Professor Tropin was visibly relieved.