President Yoichi Kawanami, President

　Congratulations to all those who graduate from Shimonoseki City University and those who have completed their graduate school courses. This year, a total of 541 students, 237 from Department of Economics, 228 in Department of International Commerce and 72 in Department of Public Management for the bachelor's degree program, and 4 in the graduate school master's degree, respectively. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the families and stakeholders who have supported the graduates and graduates for their great understanding and support, and sincerely congratulate them on their graduation and completion.

　Originally, the 55th diploma and degree award ceremony should be held to celebrate the start of a new society by honoring the accumulated efforts at undergraduate and graduate schools, and celebrate the start of a new society. From the perspective of minimizing the risk of infection in the COVID-19, which is rampant both in Japan and around the world, we were forced to make a difficult decision, giving due consideration to the health and safety of our graduates and graduates as well as those planning to participate. It's a very heartfelt feeling. On this sunny day, I am very sorry for not being able to provide an opportunity to celebrate with family, friends, teachers, administrative staff, and other people involved, remembering the process of their efforts so far, and to celebrate the future.

　The crown of graduation and completion is the result of the efforts and studies that each person has paid so far, and that is the proof of this is the diploma that you have obtained. The first thing you should think about with this degree is that this crown is not accomplished solely on your efforts. The first thing to think of is the help of your parents and family members who have supported your study both physically and mentally. Remember what your parents were looking at the back of you who passed the City University and passed through the gate of the university. Four or two years have passed since then, you will be relieved and proud of the appearance of everyone who has achieved a certain degree of growth and earned a degree. We must not forget our gratitude to the teacher who took care of us in the field of education. You should have met a wonderful teacher who has influenced not only the knowledge and skills you have absorbed, but also your way of thinking and way of life. I think I have been very helpful to the administrative staff, including academic affairs, general affairs, management planning, library, career, international exchange, and many other administrative staff. Without the efforts of the administrative staff, your study would have been even more difficult. In addition, I think that interaction with local communities and seniors has also been a great force to support your university life. I am grateful to those who have taken care of them, and I would like you to have this degree.

　On your start, I would like to say two important things. The first thing is that learning does not end by graduation and completion, but rather it begins from now on. In today's diversified and complicated world, it is necessary to develop the ability to identify truths. From now on, you will often encounter situations where you need to make decisions in various organizations and workplaces, including companies, government offices, and more. When I was a student, the process was more important than the outcome, and the decision itself was sometimes not so much responsibility. Decisions after entering society are responsible for each and every one of them produces significant consequences and can have a significant impact on other people and organizations. In society, even if you make a mistake in detail, it is necessary to make a decision without errors in detail. In such a case, what you need is the ability to analyze complex events and determine the essence and truth of things. To that end, it is important to study hard and gain experience even after you go into society, but the basis for that time is what you have learned at university. What I learned during my school days is a modest knowledge, but after entering society, you should be able to refine the knowledge and experience I have gained so far. I hope you don't forget that the future is the beginning of true learning.

　The other is what to do when you get lost or in trouble. I would like to introduce my own method. After entering society, it is necessary to make a big or smaller decision. Even if you make a decision without error in the general rule, there will be a number of factors that make mistakes will occur one after another in an era where the world is extremely turbulent and cannot read ahead. In such a case, what you want to keep in mind is to assume a certain person, and think about what kind of decision you will make if you are. It could be a real person, such as his teacher, friend, or immediate family, or a person whom he respected in history or fictional. It doesn't matter what kind of person is, so envisioning a person who can get into the brain and think about it. When you encounter an annoying problem that is difficult to find a solution, you should think about how you think and act. By doing so, you will be able to get one guide in the way of thinking. I think that having more than one person like this will help you make decisions in your life.

　Last but not least, I would like to congratulate you on the 55th Shimonoseki City University diploma and diplomacy, which has a proud tradition, and that this coronavirus will end as soon as possible and that your future prospects will be bright and hopeful.

March 25, 2020
KAWANAMI Yoichi, President, Shimonoseki City University

Dr. Shigeaki Yamamura, Chairman, Video Message