Congratulations to all new students on your admission to Yamagata University. I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the families and supporters who have supported you along the way. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and senior students of Yamagata University, I warmly welcome you as new members of our academic community.

Let me now introduce you to Yamagata University, the institution where you will continue your studies. The origins of Yamagata University dates back 148 years to 1878, when the Yamagata Prefectural Normal School was established. Subsequently, based on five higher education institutions established within Yamagata Prefecture from the Meiji to Showa eras, Yamagata University was founded in 1949, 77 years ago.

Since then, the University has continued to evolve in response to societal change. We established the School of Medicine in 1973. Last year, we launched the School of Social Co Creation and Digital Innovation and the Graduate Program in Mathematical and Information Systems, both designed to meet the needs of the digital era. This year, to address emerging challenges in teacher education across the region, we established a new Faculty of Education—the first such reorganization in 21 years. Today, Yamagata University has grown into one of the leading comprehensive universities in eastern Japan, with seven faculties and six graduate schools.

It is notable that the institutions that form our foundation were all established during periods of profound national transition—either in the Meiji era, when Japan first emerged as a modern nation-state, or in the post war period, when Japan was rebuilding from the devastation of the World War Ⅱ. More than 110,000 students have studied here and gone on to become leaders in shaping the future of their respective eras. A university exists to nurture individuals who can generate new knowledge and technologies, and who can build a better future, especially when society faces difficult challenges. In this sense, universities are an intellectual framework created by society to drive its own transformation.

Next, let me speak about learning at university.

From today, you begin a new kind of learning—one that challenges you to confront unresolved issues and unexplored domains. Unlike your previous education, university study requires you to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire to shed light on the unknown. At times, the outcomes of your learning may even contribute to reshaping society itself.

At Yamagata University, distinctive research is conducted across our campus in areas such as organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs), research on the Nazca Lines, heavy ion therapy and agri-food systems—is carried out across our campuses, enriching your learning environment.

You are entering what is often called the “100 year life era”—an age unprecedented change and vast possibilities. It is not simply about living longer; rather it is about an expansion of the time in which each individual can contribute to society and continue to take on new

challengers. For this reason, a commitment to lifelong learning has never been more important.

You are the generation that will look toward the 22nd century. By the time you become central players in society, the world will likely be even more complex, diverse, and unpredictable. Yet it is you who will shape that future. Reflecting on the fact that I graduated from university exactly 40 years ago, I see each of you as a kind of envoy from the future—individuals who carry within you the potential to anticipate challenges yet to emerge and to create new forms of value. The future is not something that simply arrives; it is something you will build through the learning and the bold challenges you begin today. I encourage you to learn without fear, to question, and to reflect, and to take action in your communities and in the wider world.

Finally, I would like to emphasize what is important in the age of AI.　As the development of AI accelerates, we need to reconsider the fundamental question of "what it means to be human." In this era where AI significantly influences human creativity and judgment, it is crucial for us to continually question the ethical principles guiding its use and the purpose behind employing this technology.

Our university has valued experiential learning that involves physical engagement, such as health and sports sciences and field learning, as part of general education. Such learning fosters imagination towards others and shapes how we relate to the world. Universities are also places that support human endeavors. Rather than accepting AI uncritically, I encourage everyone to learn actively, ask questions, and reinterpret the world through body and sensibility, creating new values. This is the mission of the university and our responsibility for the future.

We live in a society undergoing rapid transformation. Instability in global affairs, the accelerating changes in our natural environment, and shifting norms in work and lifestyle all affect our daily lives. Entering university—another major change—may bring both excitement and anxiety.

But here, you are not alone. Alongside your families who care deeply for you, you will find friends, faculty, and staff who share your goals and will always stand by you. When you encounter difficulties or uncertainty, I urge you to reach out with courage. We are committed to supporting you fully until the day you graduate, so that you may grow with confidence and lead a fulfilling university life.

 It is my sincere hope that your days at Yamagata University will be fulfilling, and that the experiences you gain here will connect you with many others and empower you to open the way to a bright future. Once again, congratulations on your admission.

 

 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 President Deguchi Takeshi, April 3 2026