Like many other young people back then he was set on going to Waseda because he admired its opposition, grassroots character. It was a symbol for them of individuality and the rejection of ossified values.
對當時的許多年輕人來說，別的學校不肯去、卻立志上早大，正是因為嚮往那種「草根」、「在野」性格，這也是年輕人反抗社會僵化價值、凸顯自己個性的一種表徵。