On behalf of Hiroshima University, I would like to extend my congratulations to the 3,647 students who are graduating from Hiroshima University today, ready to face the world.

Looking back, you spent most of your student life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes were held online, and club activities were canceled. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, you have made it to this auspicious day today. As University President, I would like to pay my heartfelt respect to all of you for your efforts to overcome such difficulties. I know that your families, friends and loved ones, who have supported you so far, must be extremely happy for you. I hope that you will always remember to appreciate those who have watched over you in the past.

Hiroshima University has a history of more than 150 years since the founding of its oldest predecessor school. The university has grown to be one of the most comprehensive research universities in Japan. It is one of the most international universities in the country, known for its diversity, as we currently have 2,078 international students from 101 countries and regions in the world. In recent years, the university has been selected for a number of large-scale national research funding projects, pushing forward its world-class research.

In the 2024 edition of ‘THE Impact Rankings’ by ‘Times Higher Education’, a UK-based higher education magazine that evaluates universities’ contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our university was ranked in the 101-200 range out of 1,963 universities worldwide and placed 3rd in Japan for the 3rd consecutive year. I hope that you will all take pride in having studied at Hiroshima University, especially given the status that it clearly enjoys both nationally and internationally.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the site of the first atomic bombing in human history. After a gap of 20 years, Hiroshima will host the Pugwash Conference. It was founded by world scientists based on the declaration of physicist Einstein and others who called for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The predecessor schools and affiliated schools of Hiroshima University lost many faculty members, students, and pupils to the atomic bombing. Four years after the bombing, Hiroshima University was established as a ‘University of Peace,’ and its spirit has been passed down in various ways. This legacy lives on through the peace-related courses which you have studied, the ‘Peace Study Tour,’ which brings together students from around the world in Hiroshima, and ‘the University Presidents for Peace Conference,’ which has been held since last year.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine and Palestine, many people continue to fall victim to war, and the threat of nuclear conflict is growing. In this context, last year’s Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers’ Organizations was also a great source of hope and encouragement for Hiroshima University. This recognition has reaffirmed our commitment to contributing to the realization of a free and peaceful international society and the well-being of humanity. I sincerely hope that, as you embark on a new chapter, taking your first steps towards building a peaceful world, you will never forget the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.

As current world affairs show, we cannot ignore the fact that even in developed countries, democracy is being put to the test, while the future appears increasingly uncertain. As you have joined this unpredictable and uncertain era, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on the concepts of ‘freedom’ and ‘responsibility’ once more.

In his book ‘Escape from Freedom,’ the German social psychologist Erich Fromm pointed out that freedom comes with both opportunities and anxiety. While freedom offers the joy of a broader range of choices, it also requires individuals to make their own decisions and take responsibility for those choices. Fromm noted that the burden of this responsibility can sometimes be felt overwhelming. Unable to bear this burden, people often seek easy answers and tend to rely on authority. Consequently, in an effort to escape the weight of responsibility that comes with freedom, individuals may stop thinking for themselves.

Dictatorship and oppression do not emerge suddenly; they spread gradually throughout everyday life. When language based on division and exclusion pervades society, it eventually becomes institutionalized, altering the very fabric of social norms. By the time we realize it, our freedom may have already slipped from our grasp. So, how can we protect our freedom?

The British philosopher John Stuart Mill, known for his work ‘On Liberty’, argued that ‘in order to protect freedom, it is important to listen to the different opinions of the minority and continue thinking critically.’

In today’s context, it is important not to blindly accept the fake news that is widely spread on social media, but to maintain a critical perspective and think for oneself. I am confident that the courage to speak up when necessary, without relying easily on authority, is what will pave the way for the future of society.

The knowledge, friendships, and experiences which you have gained at Hiroshima University will enrich your lives in the years to come. Carry with you the wisdom and pride you have cultivated here and embrace the challenges of the new world ahead. Most importantly, ‘Live without fear of freedom’.

Once again, my heartfelt congratulations on your graduation. I sincerely hope that your future will be bright and full of promise.
 

23rd March 2025 (Reiwa 7)
Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University