Congratulatory Address

On this distinguished Conferral of Degrees Ceremony, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have successfully earned your degrees from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and are celebrating your graduation today.
I would also like to express my deepest respect to President Yoneyama and the faculty and staff members for their dedicated and passionate guidance. At the same time, I offer my sincere congratulations to the families whose unwavering support, encouragement, and affection have nurtured the growth and achievements of the graduates.
Since its founding in April 2000, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University has established an outstanding record as a leading institution driving the globalization of higher education in Japan, including the attainment of internationally recognized accreditations and many other remarkable achievements.
Today, we are facing an era of unprecedented change, characterized by demographic shifts and rapid technological innovations, including advances in artificial intelligence. As a result, expectations are growing for leaders with diverse perspectives and for individuals capable of addressing social challenges and creating new value for society.
Against this backdrop, APU continues to undertake ambitious initiatives. In June of this year, the university concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement with Tourism Oita to promote sustainable tourism and develop tourism professionals in Oita Prefecture. In addition, APU entered into a cooperative agreement with Ishikawa Prefecture concerning international contributions through Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Through these and other efforts, the university continues to grow as a center of knowledge that Oita proudly presents to both Japan and the world.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the university’s continued contributions to not only the internationalization of our prefecture but also the revitalization of local communities. These efforts include workshops for elementary school students, residential experiential programs for high school students, hands-on events for residents, beach-cleaning activities, and many other community-based initiatives.
The graduates gathered here today have devoted themselves to their studies in a multicultural campus environment where students from 122 countries and regions learn together. The opportunity to study with and learn from people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds is an invaluable asset. I am confident that this experience will serve as a powerful foundation as you help shape a new era amid the profound transformations taking place around the world.
After graduation, I hope you will continue to draw upon the global mindset and personal networks you have cultivated during your time at APU, excel in your respective fields, and make significant contributions to the development of the Asia-Pacific region.
In closing, I sincerely hope that you will always cherish Oita, a place filled with many memorable experiences, as your second home. May you serve as bridges connecting nations and nations, regions and regions, people and people, and indeed Oita and the wider world. With my best wishes for your future success and for the continued growth and prosperity of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, I offer my heartfelt congratulations.

Kiichiro Sato
Governor of Oita Prefecture
September 18, 2026

To all graduates of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, and to your families, my sincerest congratulations on this memorable day. On behalf of the citizens of Beppu, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you all. I would also like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to your families, as well as to the faculty and staff members who have supported and guided you throughout your academic journey.

During your time at APU, you have learned, exchanged ideas, and grown together with people from diverse countries, cultures, and backgrounds. Through dialogue, collaboration, and at times the challenge of overcoming differences, you have gained invaluable experiences. The world you are now entering is marked by increasing uncertainty, including division and conflict, as well as disasters associated with climate change. Precisely because of these challenges, I encourage you to put to full use the abilities you have cultivated at APU: the capacity to understand differences, grasp the essence of complex issues, and work with others to create solutions and move society forward.

Here in Beppu, an International Tourism Hot Spring Culture City, people from around the world have long been welcomed with open arms. APU, where students from across the globe come together to learn and grow, has become a symbol of the rich international character of our city. The time you have spent here and the relationships you have built in Beppu are invaluable assets, not only for you but also for our community.

Last year, APU celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding. Over the past quarter century, young people from around the world have come to Beppu to study, build lifelong friendships, and embark on journeys that have taken them across the globe. The fact that each of you will continue to cherish your connection to Beppu wherever life may lead you is a source of strength and hope for the future of our city.

The road ahead may not always be easy. There will be moments of uncertainty and challenges to overcome. In those moments, I hope you will draw upon the power of dialogue and your ability to understand different perspectives, both of which you have cultivated at APU. Believe in yourselves and continue to embrace new challenges. Every step you take forward will help shape not only your own future but also the future of our society.

Whenever you find yourselves uncertain or wishing to pause for a moment, I hope you will remember your days in Beppu: the mornings enveloped in the rising steam of the hot springs, the evenings spent talking with friends, and the warmth of the smiles and conversations you shared with members of the local community. Those memories will remain alive in your hearts for years to come.

And someday, please return to Beppu and say, “I’m home.”

The people of Beppu will always welcome you back with the same warmth, encouragement, and hospitality that you experienced during your time here.

In closing, I sincerely wish for the continued growth and success of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and for the bright and prosperous future that awaits each graduate.

Congratulations once again on your graduation.

NAGANO Yasuhiro
Mayor of Beppu
September 18, 2026