President Yoichi Kawanami

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

　Originally, the 55th diploma and degree conferral ceremony should be held to celebrate the start of a new society in honor of the efforts made by undergraduate and graduate schools, but this time we have to cancel the award ceremony. 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 difficult decision by giving first consideration to the health and safety of our graduates, graduates, and those who are planning to participate. It's a great feeling. On this sunny day, at the campus of Yamanota here, I am very sorry for not being able to provide the opportunity to remember the process of my efforts so far with my family, friends, teachers, administrative staff, and other people involved, and to celebrate while thinking about the future.

　The crown of graduation and completion is the result of the efforts and study that each person has paid so far, and the proof is the diploma that you have received this time. The first thing you should think about with this diploma is that this crown was not achieved solely by your efforts. The first thing to come to mind is the help of parents and family members who have supported your studies from both physical and mental aspects. Remember what your parents were looking at the back of everyone who passed City University and passed through the gates of the university. Four or two years have passed since then, and you will be able to see the people who have achieved a certain level of growth and have earned a diploma with a sense of relief and pride. Don't forget to thank the teacher who took care of me in the educational field. You must have met a wonderful teacher who influenced not only the knowledge and skills you absorbed, but also the way of thinking and life. I think that the administrative staff, including academic affairs, general affairs, management planning, library, career, and international exchange, have been greatly taken care of. 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 help to support your university life. I would like to express my gratitude to those who have taken care of me and hope that this degree will be obtained.

　In your beginning, I would like to mention two important things. One is that learning is not completed by graduation and completion, but rather by starting from now on. In today's increasingly diverse and complex, it is necessary to develop the ability to identify truths. From now on, you will often encounter situations where you need to make decisions at 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 did not involve so much responsibility. Decisions in society are responsible for each and every one of them produces significant consequences and can have a significant impact on others and organizations. In society, even if you make a mistake in a small place, you need to make a judgment without error. In such a case, what you need is the ability to analyze complex events and determine the essence and truth of things. To do so, it is important to study hard and gain experience even after entering society, but the basis at that time 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 further studying it. I hope you don't forget that this 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. As mentioned above, it is necessary to make a big or small decision after entering society. Even if you make a judgment without error in the general rule, there will be many factors that make mistakes one after another in an era when the world is extremely confused and cannot read ahead. In such a case, what I want you to keep in mind is to assume a specific person and think about what kind of decision you would make with this person. It may be a real person, such as his teacher, friend, or his immediate family, or a respectful person in history or a fictional person. It doesn't matter any person, so it's about envisioning a person who can get into the person's brain and think about it. When you encounter an annoying problem that is difficult to find a solution, think about how that person would think and act. By doing so, you should be able to get one guideline for how you think. If you have multiple people like this, I think it will help you make the decisions you make in your life.

　Last but not least, as a graduate and alumni of Shimonoseki City University, who carries a proud tradition, we wish that this coronavirus will end as soon as possible, and that your future will be bright and full of hope.

March 25, 2020
President KAWANAMI Yoichi, Shimonoseki City University

Mr. Shigeaki Yamamura, President, Video Message