President Yoichi Kawanami and his speech

　Congratulations to all of you who have graduated from Shimonoseki City University and who have completed the graduate course. This year, a total of 541 students, including 237 students from Department of Economics, 228 from Department of International Commerce, 72 from Department of Public Management, and 4 from the graduate school master's program, have decided to leave the school building with bachelor's and master's degrees. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the families and stakeholders who have supported the graduates and graduates so far, on behalf of the faculty and staff for their great understanding and support, and congratulations on the graduation and completion of their sons and daughters.

　Originally, the 55th Diploma and Degree Award Ceremony should be held to celebrate the start of a new society in honor of the efforts accumulated in undergraduate and graduate schools, but we have to cancel the award ceremony this time. From the perspective of reducing the risk of infection in COVID-19, which is rampant not only in Japan but also around the world, we had to make a hard decision by giving consideration to the health and safety aspects of our graduates and graduates and those who are planning to participate first. It's really my heart. On this sunny day, on the Yamanota campus, we will remember the process of our efforts so far, including family, friends, teachers, administrative staff, and other people involved, and have the opportunity to celebrate while thinking about the future. I am very sorry for not being able to offer it.

　The crown of graduation and completion is the result of the efforts and study that each person has paid so far, and the proof of that is the diploma you have gained this time. The first thing you should think of with this degree is that this crown has not been accomplished by your efforts alone. The first thing to come to mind is the support of parents and families who have supported your studies both physically and mentally. Please remember how parents looked at the back of everyone who passed City University and passed through the gates of the university. Four or two years later, you will be relieved and proud to see everyone who has achieved a certain level of growth and earned a diploma. We must not forget our gratitude to the teachers who took care of us in the education field. You must have met a wonderful teacher who influenced not only the knowledge and skills you have absorbed, but also the way of thinking and living. I think that I have taken great care of administrative staff, including academic affairs, general affairs, management planning, libraries, careers, international exchange, etc. Without the efforts of the administrative staff, your study would have been even more difficult. In addition, I think that interaction with the local community and senior juniors has also been a great force to support your university life. I would like to thank those who have taken care of me and hope that you will get this diploma.

　As you begin, I would like to tell you two important things. One is that the learning is not over by graduation and completion, but rather by starting from now on. In today's diversified and complex modern times, it is necessary to develop the ability to identify the truth. From now on, you will often encounter situations where decisions must be made in various organizations and sites, including companies and government offices. When I was a student, the process was more important than the results, and the decision itself was not accompanied by so much responsibility. Decisions in society are responsible because each and every one has significant consequences and can have a significant impact on other people and organizations. In society, judgment without error is generally required even if it is wrong 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 to society, but the basis for that is what I learned at university. What I learned when I was a student is a small knowledge, but after entering society, I should be able to refine my knowledge and experience gained so far by studying further. I would like you to remember that this is the beginning of true learning.

　The other is what to do when you are lost or in trouble. I would like to introduce my own method. As mentioned above, it is necessary to make a much smaller decision after entering society. Even if you make an error-free decision, in an era when the world is extremely confused and cannot read ahead, elements that make mistakes will occur one after another. In such a case, I want you to keep in mind that what kind of decision would you make with this person, assuming a certain person and thinking about it as a person. It can be a real person, such as your teacher, friend, or immediate family, or a respected person in history or a fictional person. It doesn't matter what kind of person is, so imagine a person who can enter the person's brain and become the person and think about it. When you encounter a problem that is difficult to find a solution, think about how that person thinks and acts. By doing so, you should be able to obtain one guideline for the way of thinking. If you have more than one person like this, I think it will help you make decisions in your life.

　Last but not least, I wish you all well-being as graduates and graduates of Shimonoseki City University, who have a proud tradition, and hope that this coronavirus will end as soon as possible, and that your future will be bright and hopeful.

March 25, 2020
KAWANAMI Yoichi President, Shimonoseki City University

Chairman Shigeaki Yamamura, Video Message