Guest Speaker Dr. Akihiko Tanaka
President of Japan International Cooperation Agency
International University of Japan Graduation Ceremony 2025
Chairperson Kokubu Fumiya, President Kikkawa Takeo, Trustees, members of the Faculty, distinguished guests, family members, friends, and above all, graduates. Congratulations!
I am honored to have this opportunity to speak at the commencement of the International University of Japan. As president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, I am privileged and honored to join others to celebrate the new graduates of the IUJ. As you may know, the IUJ accepts more JICA scholars as degree candidates than any other university in Japan.
In fact, the mission of the IUJ, “Foster global leaders who have a high level of professional knowledge and skills with deep understanding of and respect for different cultures, thereby contributing to the development of international society.,” is perfectly consistent with the mission of JICA.
JICA is also privileged to be part of the joint management of three IUJ programs: the Japan-Global Development Program, the International Public Policy Program, and the International Social Entrepreneurship Program. I would like to thank Chairperson Kokubu, President Kikkawa, members of the faculty, administrative staff for accepting JICA scholars and allowing us to jointly manage the three programs I just mentioned.
But I would like to repeat my congratulations to the graduates. I am sure that you have learned many things in the academic programs of IUJ. I am also sure that you enjoyed your stay in Niigata; you must have enjoyed its beautiful scenery, lots of snow, hot springs, and delicious foods. Some of you may have come to love local sake. Congratulations, again, on your achievements. Based on your study here, you are now ready to pursue you respective future.
The world you face, however, is not an easy place; it is full of challenges. As global leaders, you are expected to make your own contribution to the betterment of your country and the world.
In fact, the world you face is in the midst of, probably, a once in a century turmoil. Russian aggression in Ukraine is continuing. The atrocities in Gaza does not seem to end. The war between Israel and Iran, now involving the United States, has fortunately reached a ceasefire. But the stability of the entire Middle East is still uncertain. Civil wars in Sudan and Myanmar are continuing. The future of the international trade regime appears uncertain as the tariff negotiations between the United States and many countries are going on.
We are being threatened not only by instability of international relations and man-made crises but also by natural disasters and diseases. Huge earthquakes, tsunami, volcano eruptions are threatening human beings almost regularly over the years. A big earthquake hit Myanmar last March. Japan was hit by a huge earthquake and tsunami in 2011 that also caused a nuclear disaster. Huge volcanic eruptions have not occurred in recent years but if the one like the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia occurs, the world may experience a “Year Without a Summer,” as in the case of 1816.
In addition, we are now observing increasing frequencies of extreme weather events induced by the on-going climate change. Floods and droughts are becoming more frequent and more severe. Forest fires close to urban centers are taking place as was the case of Los Angeles last January. Heat waves cause many deaths without causing damages to physical assets.
Diseases have long threatened human beings but with the increasing interconnectedness of the world, a locally emerged infectious disease can become an epidemic and then a pandemic very quickly. COVID-19 was the most recent example.
Each crisis, both man-made and natural, alone requires difficult responses. But in many cases, crises are not taking place alone. They are more often compounded. a major earthquake occurred in a politically unstable country may amplify the human damages and further worsen the political situations. Extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts may lead to ethnic conflicts. Wars may disrupts the global supply chains of food and energy and bring about economic crises in countries distant from the warring countries.
In other words, under the current compounded crises, our human security is being threatened. Our freedom from fear is threatened by man-made crises such as wars, violent conflicts and crimes. But natural disasters are sources of fear, too. Our freedom from want is being threatened by lack of development and mismanagement of economy. But natural disasters also deprive the people of food and income. Human dignifies are threatened by political oppression, lack of food, and inhumane conditions after natural disasters. Human security, defined as freedom from fear and want and preservation of dignity, is now being threatened by this once-in-a century compounded turmoil.
However, we should not become overly pessimistic. There are opportunities and possibilities of progress and innovation. While wars are going on in several areas in the world, efforts of peace building and consolidation are progressing in other parts. For example, Muslim Mindanao in the Philippines had long been a place of violent conflicts. But after the comprehensive peace agreement was concluded in 2014, it went through a series of peace-building efforts with legislatures and development activities. It is expected to have a parliamentary election this autumn to complete the process to establish the Bansamoro Autonomous Region.
Many countries that suffered from fiscal crises including defaults are now improving their financial conditions with more fiscal disciplines and sound macro-economic policies. Several countries that experienced instability after presidential and parliamentary elections are now on track to achieve peaceful transition of power.
Although the compounded crises that I outlined just now dims the prospect of achieving some of the SDGs, we are also witnessing the success of at least some development projects. For example, the SHEP approach that JICA initiated in Kenya in 2006 is now being implemented in 57 countries. SHEP stands for “Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion.” By transforming farmers’ orientation from “grow and sell” to “grow to sell,” the SHEP approach increases the income of smallholders significantly.
Obviously, we can explore new frontiers of development by the innovative use of newly available technologies. Some start-ups in Africa and elsewhere are implementing on-line medical services. Innovative use of 3D printing enables to make prosthetic arms and legs more quickly at more reasonable prices. Inefficient revenue collection of water supply systems could be dramatically improved by the introduction of pre-paid card like water consumption card.
These positive trends and approaches of innovation are in fact a very useful way to preserve our human security. We need to make quick responses to cope with an immediate and acute human security crises. But in the long run, it is also very important to create a society resilient to future crises. In this sense, innovation to maximize the opportunities is an important approach to human security, too.
Distinguished graduates,
You must have specialized in areas related to the challenges and opportunities that I have just outlined, and your knowledge and expertise are valuable assets for your countries and the global community. In order to cope with the global geopolitical challenges, we need responsible political leaders and talented diplomats. In order to reduce humanitarian crises, we need effective staff of international humanitarian organizations and non-governmental organizations. To maintain and create a better international trade system, we need far-sighted political leaders and effective trade negotiators. To avoid fiscal crises and maintain good macro-economic policies, we need good central bankers, effective bureaucrats in ministries of finance.
Disaster risk reduction requires administrators well versed with disaster management as well as engineers and scientists in seismology and meteorology. In order to reduce threats to health, we need administrators trained in the health sector as well as medical doctors and scientists.
To maximize the benefits of new technologies, we need entrepreneurs and financial experts who provide necessary capital for start-ups. As there are innovative use and re-use of old technologies, we need experienced development experts. As the crises and opportunities and inter-connected, we need talents to coordinate and encourage innovative co-creation.
The importance of the talents in education and journalism should not be forgotten. In order to understand the nature of the current global crises and to explore possible solutions, the roles of education and journalism are crucial. In order to maximize the current opportunities, the role of education and journalism are also crucial.
Distinguished Graduates,
Regardless of your area of expertise, I am convinced that your work at the IUJ has prepared you to step out into the world, to make a contribution, and to have an impact.
Congratulations again and thank you in advance for your valuable contribution to the global community. I am very much looking forward to working together with you to co-create a better future we want.
Thank you and good luck.