A Bridge Connecting the World and the Heart

Abelia’s Story: A Universal Spirit of Giving and an Everlasting Love for APU Students

Junko Abe—known fondly as “Abelia”—works at Beppu City Hall, where she supports local residents. Among APU students, especially international students, there is hardly anyone who does not know her.

From resident registration procedures to connecting students with the local community, and sometimes even providing emotional care, students turn to Abelia in every aspect of daily life. Over the 25-year history of APU, she is like the “ever-welling land of Beppu,” supporting generations of students. Because of the boundless scope of her activities, people often whisper, half in awe, “She’s not just a city hall employee, is she?” or “Who exactly is she?” She is an enigmatic presence with a quietly extraordinary aura.

This time, we spoke with “the ever-welling land of Beppu” about her relationship with APU students and the source of her inexhaustible passion.

Bonds Stronger Than Family—Today’s Job: Babysitting and Collecting Futons!!!

“ Recently it suddenly got cold, and everyone started saying, ‘I need a futon.’ So today I’ve been running around the community asking, ‘How many futons can we gather?’” she laughs.

“Also, there’s an international student who gave birth here in Beppu. When I heard her situation, it sounded like she was completely overwhelmed, so I told her, ‘I’ll look after the baby, so you should go to your class.’ Today I’ll be babysitting too—carrying the baby on my back! ”

From the very start of the interview, stories revealing her deep involvement in students’ lives flowed endlessly.

From administrative support to childcare, there are no boundaries to her role.

“ I don’t want the precious aspirations of these women, who are mothers, wives, and also as an individual carrying the future of their countries, to be cut short by challenges that childrearing or administrative systems alone cannot fully address. I want to overcome each difficulty with human strength and the kindness of the community. ”

Behind her support lies a profound, invisible story.

“Oh, that reminds me…,” says Abelia with a hearty laugh as she shares her memories of international students. Around her, countless human dramas have unfolded, each one deeply moving. Truly, they feel like legends.

She has been involved in numerous initiatives alongside international students: exchange programs at elementary and junior high schools, camps that bring together children from across the city, and large-scale art events and music festivals that engage the entire community.

“ Whatever we do, we should think big,” Abelia says with a smile. “Not just Beppu, but on a global—maybe even cosmic—scale. Looking a hundred years ahead is way more exciting, don’t you think? ”

She has even flown overseas more than once to surprise graduates at their weddings. But the moments that bring her the greatest joy are when graduates return to Beppu from abroad with their families to see her.

“ Studying alone in a foreign country is very worrying for families. So, I’ve always done everything I could. As a result, I also become close with the families of international students. Even if languages and cultures differ, hearts are universal. This is something I’m reminded of time and time again. It truly makes me happy when graduates come back to Beppu thinking of it as their ‘second hometown.’
Just recently, I went out to eat udon with one of the first-generation students, who had persevered through many hardships, but persevered them all. He said on the reunion with Abelia, “I don’t want a luxurious feast. I want to eat that warm, nostalgic udon I always had during my student days.” Hence, we went to eat udon with his families without being uptight. ”

The bonds Abelia has formed with international students have now become something beyond the scope of friendship—true family.

A Spirit of Giving That Crosses Borders

Born and raised in Beppu, Abelia is a true Beppu native. After graduating from junior high school, she studied abroad alone.

“ Living and studying alone in a foreign country meant constantly facing anxiety, loneliness, and fear. But each time, so many people helped and supported me, treating me with incredible kindness. They didn’t just think in terms of ‘I want’ or ‘I need’—they had the spirit of giving.
During my own study abroad experience, I was taught so many precious things. From that time, I decided, ‘When I return to Beppu, I want to give back to them.’ Studying in a foreign country comes with so many emotions—anxiety, loneliness, and more. Even so, students choose to come and study here. I want them to be able to say from the bottom of their hearts that life in Beppu was wonderful. That strong feeling is what led me to where I am today. ”

These experiences and feelings naturally connected to her support for international students from the very founding of APU.

Another source sustaining her spirit of giving, she says, comes from the generation that experienced war.

“ My driving force comes from a beloved elderly woman in the local community . They lost so much in the war and carried immense pain, yet regardless of nationality, or whether someone is an enemy or an ally, they has compassionately honored and cherished the lives of the people right in front of them. Because they lost so much, they came to believe even more strongly in the spirit of giving and supporting one another. They believed that a peaceful world should continue for the next generation, and the generation after that, with this cycle repeating itself. Connecting heart to heart, caring for one another, supporting and helping each other—that’s what I believe leads to building the better future. ”

She sees this as a giving something back for the future and continues to cultivate a strong foundation between APU students and local residents.

Her approach to building this foundation is uniquely creative. One example is her original initiative called GPS (Gross Personal Smile), which represents the belief in doing whatever it takes to create smiles. Because it is not based on numerical evaluations, but rather on smiles as an indicator, simply facing one another naturally connects hearts; it is a system overflowing with love.

An Energy That Never Runs Dry, Like a Hot Spring

Finally, we asked Abelia what she hopes for the future of APU students as they set out into the world.

“ If the friends who met and learned together here in Beppu each carry a seed and nurture it wherever they go, I think they’ll be unstoppable. APU’s motto of ‘Shape your world’ is not just a catch phrase. I truly believe it’s possible. ”

She describes Beppu as “a place that embodies what the world should be.” That is why she continues cultivating the “soil” of this city, so that students can put down roots and bloom into beautiful flowers or grow into strong, towering trees.

And her energy, like Beppu’s hot springs, keeps bubbling up without end.

“ I hope the seeds within everyone become the foundation for building the future, spreading and flourishing all over the world. And we, the residents of Beppu—including myself—are just one part of nurturing those seeds and helping them spread worldwide. I can’t wait to see this spirit circulate across the globe.
You know, in hot springs everyone gets completely naked and just relaxes, soaking in the water. I hope Beppu will always be a place where people can be themselves, just like that. ”

To never give up, to enjoy life, and to cherish connections of the heart—this is the message Abelia continues to send to APU students, an encouraging cheer even hotter than the waters of Beppu’s hot springs.