Awards Ceremony for World Maritime University (WMU) Sasakawa Fellows in the Class of 2020

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, Sasakawa Fellows, ladies and gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to commemorate the departure of the 27 Sasakawa Fellows, as global first-class maritime experts. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to President Cleopatra and members at WMU for having provided the best education for these excellent Fellows.

Congratulations, 2020 graduating Sasakawa Fellows! You will now be returning to your home countries and agencies to devote yourselves, once again, to be ever more actively involved in the maritime sector. We must be reminded that the Mother Ocean that plays an important part of our lives is now facing severe threats and risks. Without a doubt, this is precisely the time that the training, knowledge and experience that you have gained at WMU will be put to use most effectively in wide-ranging fields.

It is my sincere wish that you will face these challenges together with the colleagues and teachers of WMU, with whom you have shared joys and hardships, and the members of the Friends of WMU who await you all. I want you to work together to break the ground to unlock the new potential of the ocean. The Nippon Foundation operates under the principle of “One World, One Family.” Our dreams and hopes are always to continue to work with all of you as members of the same global family.

The Friends of WMU not only has deepened the bonds and expanded the alumni network of the Sasakawa Fellows, but also, has supported their various activities to work together across sectors, professions, race and national borders. This year many activities had to be rescheduled due to COVID-19 including the unfortunate cancellation of your field trip to Japan. But I promise that once this global pandemic is controlled, I will invite you all to Japan.

There is but only one ocean. It is a common property of humankind that we must coexist and co-prosper with for a thousand years and beyond. The mission that you are tasked with, as maritime experts, is immense. Let us work together to put all our efforts in solving the numerous issues of the ocean on hand. This will be effectively carried out by comprehensive cooperation of sharing information and experiences through working with the members of the Friends of WMU.

Once again, congratulations and welcome to the Friends of WMU!

Arigatou.