Today, I am very pleased that we are able to hold the Kanazawa University 2025 Academic Year Degree Conferment Ceremony. Congratulations to all the graduates. Through your studies at Kanazawa University and your sustained efforts to refine your abilities, today, you have earned the joy of receiving your diplomas or degree certificates. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you all. I also would like to congratulate the family and friends who have gathered here and thank them for providing you with their understanding and support.??
For many of you, your high school years were in the height of COVID-19 pandemic, and you have taken university entrance examinations with infection-prevention measures. After entering Kanazawa University, your life as university students began amid changes in academic styles, including the shift to online classes brought about by the pandemic. As daily life gradually returned, we then faced the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024, followed by the heavy rains in Oku-Noto in September 2024. Moreover, against the backdrop of remarkable advances in science and technology—such as AI and digital technologies—social transformation accelerated, and campus life changed significantly. In the midst of these circumstances, I offer my deepest respect to you for how you never lost sight of the true path of scholarship, enhanced your human skills, continuously pursued learning, and deepened your academic knowledge. Through your student life here, you have no doubt received warm encouragement and support from your families, mentors, the friends who have shared your aspirations, and others who have interacted with you in various ways. This is a good opportunity for you to look back on how these people have supported and guided you, and to express your gratitude to them. ????
????More than two years have passed since the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. I sincerely pray that those affected will be able to return to their former lives as soon as possible, and that the disaster-stricken areas will achieve recovery and reconstruction. In the process of recovery and reconstruction after the earthquake, you have likely witnessed firsthand complex social challenges involving the progress of a declining birthrate and a super-aging society, communities, social infrastructure, and livelihoods. In addition, here in Japan we face many challenges that must be overcome, including the declining birthrate and labor shortages, countermeasures against natural disasters such as earthquakes and forest fires, and economic measures in response to inflation. Internationally, too, concerns have manifested regarding economic and security issues, as well as the expansion of conflicts. As symbolized by global warming, the rich and sustainable global environment that has sustained life on our planet is now facing a serious crisis. Through your education at our university, I believe you have come to understand that an essential part of solving and overcoming many social challenges is cross-disciplinary, multifaceted wisdom that transcends boundaries, together with clear ideals and purpose. Our university is committed to contributing to society through “future-oriented intelligence.” This is the wisdom needed to explore and overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow. It is also a path to creating value for the future. I believe that you, too, have advanced diverse learning at Kanazawa University and cultivated thinking grounded in experience, along with the practice based on that thinking. In this way, the future-oriented intelligence that you have nurtured will surely become an irreplaceable asset for you in the years ahead. Now that the structure of society and our values are undergoing dramatic change, it is all the more necessary for each of us to think for ourselves and put those thoughts into practice. To accomplish this, it is vital for us to pursue learning that enhances our understanding of multiculturalism, and to embrace tolerance and coexistence. I fervently hope that, drawing on the future-oriented intelligence you gained through your studies at Kanazawa University, you will, as members of the international community, contribute to realizing a society filled with hope and good cheer.
You are about to embark on a new chapter in your lives as working members of society or graduate students, setting sail anew into a rapidly changing world. This is a perfect opportunity for you to reaffirm your personal aspirations or to forge new ones. As my parting gift to you, I would like to share with you three messages of advice that I hope will aid you on your journey.
??The first is “Grow as a person.” This means cherishing your encounters with others and constantly striving to improve your human skills. We learn many things from others. It’s important to meet and interact with those who are passionate about what they do. Precisely because we live in an age of AI that is rapidly advancing, now is a good time to reflect on what only you can do, and on how you can grow as a person. As you move forward through the expansive future awaiting you, broadly engage with the thinking, wisdom, and passion of the wonderful people you meet, you will likely have chance encounters that you will later see as destined experiences. Use the outlook on life and new ways of thinking gained from those encounters to continuously refine your qualities and skills.
????????There is a passage in the Analects of Confucius that says: “The Master said, ‘It is by the Odes that the mind is aroused. It is by the Rules of Propriety that the character is established. It is from Music that the finish is received.’” This has been understood to mean that in the process of human growth, one is brought to completion through the cultivation of cultural and artistic sensibilities. Fortunately, you have cultivated a wide range of such sensibilities at Kanazawa University, located in Kanazawa: City of Culture Growing Together for the Future. Please grow with awareness and pride as graduates of Kanazawa University and as members of this society. I strongly hope that you will keep polishing your human skills, grow tremendously as people, and serve as leaders in Japan and around the world.
My second message of advice is “Constantly challenge yourself.”
As you go out into the real world, you will find no right or model answers waiting for you. In some cases, there may be more than one right answer. Social challenges involve many elements that no one has ever experienced. There are also many issues that cannot be tackled through only one discipline or just your specialty. To reach your goals, you will need to take multifaceted approaches and build a strong team with passionate people. Also, be sure to keep boldly taking on diverse challenges without fearing failure. It is up to you to identify issues and work out the best solution for overcoming them. I believe that, at a comprehensive university, you have enjoyed the great value of encounters with students and mentors who possess diverse ways of thinking. As you pursue your careers, continue to look at the world from multifaceted, broad, and overarching perspectives so that you can gain a bird’s-eye view of the big picture. Along the path of life, there may be times when you feel uncertain and lose your way. In such moments, push yourself to take the first step, even if it’s just a small one, and focus your efforts. This can be expressed as “chakugan taikyoku, chakushu shokyoku” (think big and start small). And keep holding on to your dreams of success and your passion. I look forward to seeing you contribute to the growth of society in Japan and abroad through your constant dedication to boldly taking on diverse challenges.
My third message of advice is “Continue learning throughout your life.”
This means continuing to improve yourselves through constant self-discipline. I hope you will draw strength from your time at Kanazawa University and continue learning for the rest of your lives. The Analects of Confucius also says: “Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?” There is a joy in repeatedly putting what you have learned into practice and making it your own. Let your lifelong journey of learning new things start today. Try to constantly improve yourselves as you work toward your grand goals for the future with your hearts filled with hope. Guided by your ideals, continue thinking and studying throughout your lives as you design your future. No matter how old you grow, I believe that you will always have the power to change yourselves and the future. I sincerely hope that you will set forth your own aspirations, continue learning throughout your lives, and play active roles widely in the world in your respective fields.
Again, I hope that you will enjoy a fruitful and happy life throughout your lifetime. Let me conclude with my heartfelt wish that you will contribute to society on both domestic and international stages as Kanazawa University brand talent.
Congratulations on this special day.
March 20, 2026??????
Takashi Wada President, Kanazawa University
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