To all of you who have graduated and received your degrees, congratulations on reaching this significant milestone. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all graduates and students who have completed their studies. I would also like to express my gratitude to the families and other guests who are present today. I understand that, amidst the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of you have faced significant difficulties. Nevertheless, your steadfast support has been crucial in helping these graduates reach this moment of celebration, and I sincerely thank you for your continued warmth and encouragement.

Looking around our campus today, I hear the lively voices of students heading to their classes in the morning, see students happily chatting while having lunch in the cafeteria at midday, and in the evening, I can hear the enthusiastic voices of students participating in extracurricular activities and the sounds of the brass band echoing throughout the campus. However, during the period from 2020 to 2021 when you were studying, these everyday scenes were lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, and I think you spent your days with a lot of stress and anxiety due to the restrictions on your movements.

Despite these difficulties, you did not run away from the challenges before you. You faced each obstacle with a positive attitude, finding solutions and overcoming many trials along the way. Now, the vibrant campus that we see today is a testament to your hard work and determination. You have triumphed over significant constraints, completed your studies, and earned your degrees. This accomplishment is no small feat. I deeply respect your relentless efforts and determination.

Our society is changing at an unprecedented pace. Globally, conflicts are constant, and the stability of the world is increasingly uncertain, impacting all of our lives. Furthermore, technological advancements, particularly in AI, are dramatically changing the way we work and the nature of business. In an era where traditional jobs are disappearing and new ones are emerging, we will increasingly face situations where previous norms and conventions no longer apply.

Furthermore, the rise of authoritarianism and the manipulation of information are threatening the very foundations of democracy in many parts of the world. A small number of people with great power are now running the world, and the reliability of the information we receive is being called into question, making it more difficult to make correct judgments. In times like these, it is important to have diverse perspectives and to cultivate critical thinking. Each of us needs to think independently and be deeply involved in the direction of society.

In these times, I encourage you to embrace the idea of living true to yourself. However, in the face of rapid societal changes, it is not easy to maintain one’s true self. To achieve this, you must continuously reflect on what you value and what you want to accomplish in life. It is also essential to accept change flexibly and, in collaboration with people who hold different values, develop the ability to carve out new paths.

How can you cultivate this ability? The key is to maintain a mindset of continuous learning and to accumulate diverse experiences. By broadening your knowledge and maintaining your curiosity, you will develop the flexible mindset necessary to adjust to any change. In particular, it is important to engage with different ways of thinking and cultures. While it may seem that we are overwhelmed with information in today’s society, much of what we see is selectively presented based on our search history and interests, leading us to unintentionally confine ourselves to a narrow perspective. Moreover, in our busy work lives, we often interact with only a limited range of people. In such circumstances, it can be difficult to gain new insights or knowledge to break free from the status quo.

For this reason, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new challenges. Your alma mater provides opportunities for such growth. Whenever you wish to continue your learning or build new connections in your career, I encourage you to visit the university. As society evolves, the university will continue to offer education and research that responds to the demands of the time.

In this era of increasing life expectancy, there may be moments in the future when society faces critical decisions. In such times, I hope that you will not passively accept the changes in society but will instead take an active role in shaping the future. In an uncertain age, the possibilities are limitless. Do not fear change, approach challenges with courage, and follow the path that you believe in. I look forward to seeing your continued success in the years to come.

Finally, I want to emphasize that the reason you are able to graduate today is due to the support of many people. Especially during the uncertain days of the pandemic, your families, loved ones, alumni associations, and local communities have supported and cheered you on. Please carry that warmth and gratitude with you as you move forward into your life.

In closing, I sincerely wish that your future will be in a society where you can live true to yourself, and that we will achieve a peaceful world where all people are respected.

                                                                                     President Tamate Hidetoshi, March 25 2025