TOWARDS A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF JAPAN
AND A LASTING WORLD PEACE
I see the condition of the world today as
consisting of conflict between the different
national egoism. The Club of Rome has identified
three crises that endanger the future of
mankind: lack of energy, lack of food supplies,
and burgeoning world population. Unless mankind
learns to overcome these crises, there will
be no lasting peace. The truth of the statement
is undeniable, but in the conflict of national
egoism that surround us today, the road to
peace is still a long one. Therefore we are
called upon to do more than stand aside from
the current of history.
In order for Japan to coexist peacefully
with the other nations of the world, and
to facilitate the tasks that await our young
people in the 21st century, we are now trying
to prepare a forum for Japan's international
activities. In this way, I believe, we will
be able to open up a path to the future that
will preserve our nation and mankind.
Following the tragic experience of the Second
World War, Japan firmly resolved to reject
all attempts to enhance national prestige
by force of arms and instead to follow a
policy of peaceful reconstruction as an industrial
nation. More than thirty years have passed
since then, and it is now a fact that considerable
friction has arisen between Japan and several
foreign countries, especially in the fields
of trade and economics.
We Japanese are now making earnest efforts
to face up to this problem and are studying
how to open a path to peace and prosperity
on the basis of mutual understanding. My
search for enduring peace and friendship
among all nations of the world, and for an
effective reminder of the path to which we,
as a peaceful nation, are committed, led
to the decision to create this Foundation.
As will be clear from the statement of the
purpose of the Foundation, I hope to invite
active young research workers of outstanding
character, without regard to sex, race, religion,
ideology or nationality, to Japan. By deepening
their understanding of Japan, and establishing
links of trust and friendship, I seek to
make a real contribution to permanent peace
throughout the world. I shall therefore welcome
from the bottom of my heart applications
from promising young men and women who sympathize
with our aims and wish to undertake research
in Japan.
At this point let me acknowledge the deep
impression made upon me at the time of the
establishment of this Foundation by the inspiring
ideals and practice of the Alexander von
Humboldt Foundation, which operates under
the sponsorship of the Federal Republic of
Germany, and the far-reaching influence it
has exerted. I would like to take this opportunity
to express my deep gratitude and at the same
time to say that I intend to make every effort
to accomplish the purpose and mission of
the Foundation.
June 1979
Dr. Shigeyoshi MATSUMAE (1901-1991)