Message to Students

I would like to record the outline of my speech given at the entrance ceremony regarding how to achieve success while conducting research and further refine your learning habits as undergraduate and graduate students.

First, develop self-confidence. Several empirical studies have shown that having self-confidence may very well control a person’s actions and grades. A person who believes that “decision-making abilities are skills refined through practice and that these abilities may be further enhanced through diligently tackling difficult matters” will continuously strive toward challenging goals, making full use of superior problem-solving strategies, and will enhance vitality of their classes, teams, research, and the entire university. Having confidence and believing that you have the ability to handle a situation, no matter how difficult the task, is essential to endure and persist with continued efforts. To cultivate self-confidence, one must believe that “it is possible to succeed.”

Second, engage in real communication. Reliance on information networks has increased, driven by a desire to believe that communication via the Internet will automatically produce strong reliability. However, sophisticated interpersonal relationships cannot be built simply by typing on cellular phones and personal computers. There is no such thing as a virtual relationship of trust. Human beings have evolved as humans in the context of communities of trust. Please be aware that face-to-face communication, information exchange, and discussion comprise true responsiveness and knowledge transmission, and are the foundation of the advancement of research and learning. They are vital for balancing standard interpersonal social norms and the benefits of technological innovation.

Third, develop your originality and ability to execute. There was a tremendous boom in “Shrine Visits” to Ise over a period of almost sixty years during the Edo Period. Within a six-month period in 1830, one sixth of Japan’s population was recorded to have visited the Ise Shrine. The ability to attract visitors in that era surpasses that of current expos, even though walking was the main form of transportation at that time. Such an astounding traveling trend was created by the creative ideas and actions of the people of Ise. This type of creativity helped to produce a model for modern travel agencies using hotel reservation systems, group discounts, travel coupons, and home delivery services. Please absorb these wonderfully regional and creative characteristics of Mie prefecture and flourish academically and spiritually at Mie University. If we apply the efforts born from research and education, we can also promote regional innovation and foster human talent, and society will regard the school in high esteem as a university that produces talented graduate students.

Fourth, please proactively interact with researchers from other countries. Currently, Japan is accepting many international students from Asian countries and has been actively expanding international exchanges. However, the proportion of young Japanese scholars venturing overseas is comparatively low. The number of Japanese students studying abroad peaked in 2003, with over 113,600 students, but later declined gradually each year, to only 104,000 students in 2007. The reason for this decrease is unclear, but this may include more young Japanese students with introvert characteristics, economic effects of the recession, and a declining birthrate. Please seriously consider studying and presenting your research findings overseas. Make your own personal position clear, and your motivation for academics and research will be enhanced. Mie University will support everyone, so please make great efforts toward studying overseas.

Some may say that dwelling on the past is not productive. However, modern science and technology have been built on accumulated past successes and failures. It is essential to review these and apply their results in order to drive progress. Those who are wise never seem to repeat a failure. After observing the political and economic world repeating the same mistakes because of failing to scrutinize the past, I keenly feel that science and technology should not make the same mistake. Learn your lessons from the past and seek to develop an outlook that clears a path toward the future.

We believe that your lives as undergraduate and graduate students will be enjoyable and fulfilling. We hope that the vast and fruitful efforts you put forth will lead to future success.

April 4, 2010