It is with great pleasure today that I assume the duties of the 18th president of Utsunomiya University. Though I acknowledge the weight of this important responsibility, at the same time I ask for your cooperation and support as I strive wholeheartedly to fulfill my duties in this role. It is my greatest hope for Utsunomiya University to stand as a university both loved and trusted by the public-a university that walks together with the community. I remain firm in my belief that Utsunomiya University's future lies in the very community that has shaped our past.

With this in mind, I have established the following goals for the University:

As an open institution that is trusted and respected by the community and makes significant contributions to society, Utsunomiya University will continue to demonstrate excellence in teaching and research and contribute to human welfare and global peace. In order to facilitate such an environment, I will do all in my power to maintain and enhance the quality of education at the university, forming even deeper cultural and practical ties and fostering professionals who will revitalize and reshape our collective futures. It is my wish to re-focus research at the University towards the establishment and maintenance of a sustainable society-particularly as it relates to our fields of specialization, such as optics-and to further raise our already-high standards to create an even more exceptional research environment. I also aim to establish the University as a globally-recognized beacon of responsible and cutting-edge research by proactively utilizing our successes in education to contribute to both the local community and international society.

Last year, Utsunomiya University outlined its "Plan for Comprehensive English Education Reform", which is set to go into effect this year. I intend to commit myself fully to the implementation of this new and practical program. I always stress the importance of fundamental education-as the saying goes, we must "strike while the iron is hot." True to those words, we must equip ourselves with essential skills while still young, creating lasting influences that will serve us for the rest of our lives. It is this sort of fundamental education, including career training, that forms the heart of a university.
The need to foster creativity is also incredibly important-I cannot stress enough the value of being able to create something from nothing. An adventurous spirit and a sensitivity towards research are essential for the development of creativity, and it is in this respect that our faculty's research activities play a significant role.

Teaching creativity is no easy task, and the research conducted by our faculty is but one step in instilling a creative outlook in our students. Students are first exposed to the wonder of research when they see their teachers' passion for learning about the world around them. Of course, some hardships inevitably come along with research, but students, especially graduate students, will find that they are able to overcome their difficulties by observing their teachers' diligent efforts to continually better themselves through learning and creating. This is an incredibly valuable experience. Through this process, students and teachers are able to work together, creating an even better research environment.
Research is driven by the needs of society. By responding to society's needs, research can yield significant benefits that are then fed back into society, creating an endless loop of benefits for both researchers and members of the community. For this reason, it is of great importance for the University to engage in cooperative efforts with other academic establishments, government institutions, industries, and society at large. I hope to guide the University further along this path, emphasizing academic-industry-government cooperation as a source of direction and purpose for research.
Utsunomiya University also needs to present a clear vision for the future of society. In April 2009, Utsunomiya University, in partnership with Canon, established the Center for Optics Education and Research. In October of this year, the brand new four-story building housing the Center will be completed. There are already undergraduate and graduate students engaged in various activities at the Center and, in addition to conducting cutting-edge research, I have great expectations for the Center as a world-class educational institute.

In line with the motto "Giving back to the society that supports us" Utsunomiya University aims to make the results of its research available for the benefit of society. In a 2006 survey on community cooperation conducted by Nikkei Global (the Chikikoukendo survey), Utsunomiya University was awarded overall first place national honors. Since then, the University has consistently ranked as a top-level institution. I fully expect the University to continue leading the way as a front-runner in community cooperation, and I will dedicate myself to this goal as President. I will not hide away in my office on campus, but will immerse myself in the ideas and realities of the outside world.

Since becoming independent legal entities, universities have had the high expectations of autonomous and productive management forced upon them. At the same time, the basic financial allotment from the government has decreased, leaving us a situation in which not all prior research investments can be maintained. Now more than ever before, it is important to seek outside investment for university research. As part of this effort, we will improve our research and learning environment and develop international exchanges and support systems for international students. In order to fulfill our mission as an educational institution at the heart of society, the University must become fully engaged within the community. It is my hope that Utsunomiya University can become even more visible and accessible to the community we serve.
To accomplish this, capital funds are necessary, and I intend to develop a capital funds acquisition plan. In creating this plan, we must put to good use the creative, unique, and heretofore unseen educational and research results created through our own efforts here at the University. By focusing not on "A" and "B" as separate research fields, but instead on the combination of "A" and "B" into the new research field "C", we can create exciting new possibilities that will give us a competitive edge in the acquisition of funds.
In putting this plan into motion, we will, one step at a time, strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation, stress the importance of information sharing, and introduce a responsive and intelligent management system.

Currently, the financial management of the University is a particularly difficult situation. Rather than becoming overwhelmed in the face of current difficulties, however, we must continue to work closely with the community, preserving our energy and advancing with clear hopes for the future. This is not the work of one person; cooperation and collaboration are of the utmost importance. I intend to perform my role as President while continually keeping in mind the importance of mutual trust. I hope to learn from this University as I strive to create a golden age for all its students and faculty. Let us face the future, and all of its dreams and challenges, together.

In closing, I look forward to your support and cooperation as I continue to work for our University's continued development and success.