Congratulatory Address

First, let me express my heartfelt congratulations on your graduation from the prestigious Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
I would also like to express my deep respect to President Yoneyama and all of the faculty and staff who provided you with dedicated guidance and extend my sincere congratulations to your families, who showered you with love and watched you grow.
Since opening in April 2000, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University has chalked up a stellar track record as a leader in the globalization of higher education in Japan, including the acquisition of several international accreditations. The 25th anniversary commemorated last year stands as a testament to the university’s achievements to date.
In recent years, as industries have become increasingly internationalized, the human resources sought by companies are also changing. There is a growing need for multicultural managers who, in addition to specialized skills, possess an understanding of diverse cultures, religions, customs, and other attributes. Against this backdrop, last July, APU signed a comprehensive agreement of cooperation with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan and launched a global talent development program for the semiconductor industry in cooperation with semiconductor companies in Kyushu.
Amid the increasingly severe situation that universities throughout Japan find themselves in, APU continues to take on ambitious initiatives like this and develop as a center of knowledge that Oita Prefecture can be proud of both at home and abroad.
In addition, through international exchange programs for local elementary school students, overnight experiential programs for high school students, industry-government-academia collaboration events, and cleanup activities within Beppu City, APU has provided tremendous support not only for the internationalization of our prefecture but also for regional revitalization.
On APU’s multicultural campus, where students from 119 countries and regions live and learn together, you, the members of the graduating class, devoted yourselves to your studies to become people who can play an active role in the international community. During your time at APU, amid a period of profound upheaval around the world, I believe each and every one of you has deepened your learning by applying creativity and ingenuity while confronting diverse values and challenges. I am convinced that these experiences will sustain you and provide you with the power you will need to shape the future in these times of constant change.
Now that you have graduated, I sincerely hope that you will utilize the global mindset and networks you have developed at APU to contribute greatly to the development of the Asia Pacific region in the various fields you have each chosen to enter.
Finally, I hope that you will always feel affection for Oita as your “home away from home” and a place full of fond memories. I also hope you will serve to bridge the gap between different countries, regions, and people as well as between Oita and the wider world, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors while praying for the continued advancement of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

Kiichiro Sato
Governor of Oita Prefecture
March 13, 2026

On behalf of the citizens of Beppu, please allow me to express my warmest congratulations to the graduating class of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. I would also like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to all the family members, faculty members, and staff who have supported you along the way.

At APU, you have learned together, exchanged ideas, and even at times been at odds with one another, while always building dialogue and collaboration, transcending differences in nationality, culture, and values. In an age of rising uncertainty marked by division, conflict, and climate-related disasters, these experiences will empower you to grasp the essence of complex issues and move forward toward solutions while engaging with and involving those around you.

Beppu is known as a hot spring town, but more importantly, it has a culture of naturally welcoming a diverse array of people and supporting those who take on new challenges. The words you shared, the smiles you exchanged, and the days you spent engaging with the local community are invaluable assets to the city of Beppu as well. Having marked the 100th anniversary of its incorporation, Beppu is now taking on new challenges for the next century across a wide range of fields, including tourism, wellness, disaster preparedness, and the local economy. Keeping a place in your hearts for Beppu as you venture out into the world is sure to be a source of strength for the future of our city.

Just like Beppu’s hot springs, which are nurtured deep underground over a long period of time before they bubble up to the surface, your efforts and experiences, even when they have yet to take shape, will surely become a warm and nurturing force that will help someone somewhere down the road. Please continue to take on new challenges at your own pace. The friends you have made at APU are treasures that will last a lifetime. Wherever you may be in the world, cherish the connections that allow you to support one another.

If you ever feel lost or weary, please come back to Beppu and say, “I’m home.” The rising steam of the hot springs and our friendly residents will always be here to give you a warm welcome.

In closing, I would like to express my sincerest wishes for the continued growth of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, and may the future that lies ahead of you all be full of hope.

NAGANO Yasuhiro
Mayor of Beppu
March 13, 2026