President Speech 2025

Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2025 from the master’s programs and doctoral program at the International University of Japan.

I am pleased to announce that we are proudly sending off 110 Master’s students from the Graduate School of International Relations, 88 Master’s students from the Graduate School of International Management, and 1 PhD student(s) from the Graduate School of International Relations.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have dedicated yourselves to your studies with great passion on a campus surrounded by the rich natural beauty that evokes the traditional landscapes of Japan. In addition, I congratulate your families who have supported you so tirelessly. You are not alone in feeling proud of your remarkable achievements, for everyone connected with our university also takes great pride in your success.

IUJ, from which you are taking your leave today, is a unique institution.

First and foremost, IUJ is a place where students can not only learn about the world but gain a greater understanding about Japan at the same time. IUJ has approximately 400 students. Although this number is somewhat small when compared to other academic institutions, students from 67 countries and regions are gathered on our campus.

In Japan, there are approximately 36 universities which sport the word “international” in their titles. However, in terms of true internationality, IUJ is outstanding. Even at today’s graduation ceremony, we have the honor of welcoming ambassadors and embassy representatives from 9 countries. There is no other university that can hold such an international graduation ceremony in all of Japan.

IUJ is a truly “global place” situated within Japan, so that our “students can learn about the world and learn about Japan”. In general, our students live in dormitories on campus and English is used as the principal language of instruction, enabling students to receive an in-depth graduate education in international relations and international management delivered to a global standard. Furthermore, not only our faculty members, but also our administrative staff are highly proficient in English, which is another significant feature of IUJ.

Secondly, IUJ is a place where the world cooperates together. Many of our students are selected through competitive processes by major organizations such as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), ADB (Asian Development Bank), and the IMF (International Monetary Fund). We also have students who are sponsored by Japanese companies. Additionally, many students from both within Japan and abroad have been able to enroll at IUJ by taking advantage of our comprehensive scholarship programs.

The majority of students enrolled at IUJ study and live together 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at our Urasa campus in Minami-uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Due to this close contact with each other, a dense and diverse network is sure to be formed amongst those who enter our university. In other words, IUJ is a place “where the world cooperates,” providing a range of future benefits to our students and their ongoing or future careers, to our students’ current and potential employers and colleagues, and ultimately to our students’ home countries.

However, in order to make IUJ truly a “place where the world cooperates,” all students, staff, and faculty engages in open dialogue on an equal footing. As such, IUJ is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and harassment.

One important point I would like to emphasize is that IUJ is a university which is striving to establish a visible presence in both Niigata and Minami-uonuma.

Just one month ago, we held the International Festival on our Urasa campus, co-sponsored by Minami-uonuma’s local government. The festival is a wonderful event where local people can join IUJ students, faculty, and staff members to enjoy food and entertainment from around the world. I was truly amazed to discover that our students—who usually focus so diligently on their studies—are also incredibly talented dancers, singers, chefs, and even calligraphers.

We were also delighted by the performances of the brass band from Yamato Junior High School, and a joint choir made up of students and faculty from IUJ and Kokusai Joho High School. Furthermore, IUJ signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Kokusai Joho High School last year, further strengthening our collaboration in education.

Although local high school students were unable to attend today’s ceremony as it is being held on a weekday, we are pleased to report that our Summer Camp, launched last year, has once again received many enthusiastic applications. The camp primarily welcomes local high school students, while also accepting participants from outside the prefecture. Funded in part through Minami-uonuma City’s hometown tax donations (furusato-nozei), the camp offers young people valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of both the local community and the international society.

In addition, our “IUJ Musubiba College” has become a well-established fixture in the local community, with an increasing number of participants in recent years. At these events, IUJ faculty members, current students, and alumni share topics related to the daily lives of the local community, drawing upon their various research fields and backgrounds, and providing opportunities for interaction in a harmonious atmosphere.

We are honored to have so many of our local stakeholders joining us at today’s graduation ceremony. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their continuous support. Thank you, everyone!

So, graduates of the Class of 2025, you have reached a bright and glorious day. However, the true challenge begins now. I hope that you will be at the forefront of making the world a better place, using the knowledge gained in “the place where students can learn about the world and learn about Japan” to your best advantage, leveraging the network formed in “the place where the world cooperates”, and “blending into each local community. Always keep in mind that tomorrow is more important than today.

Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2025, and my best wishes to you all.

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