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A celebration of 70 years of leadership
in integrated learning, exploration and empathy

Fulbright Japan 70周年祝辞

70th Anniversary
Congratulatory Address

この70年の間に、日米フルブライト交流計画において、約1万人もの日本人と米国人がお互いの国を訪問し、共に学び、研究するとともに、交流を通じて相互理解を深め、価値観を共有する機会を得ました。フルブライターと呼ばれる同窓生の多くは、今日、ノーベル賞受賞者を含め、政治、経済、教育、科学、学術、行政等の幅広い分野で活躍し、成熟した信頼ある日米関係の構築に貢献しています。

70年間の長い歴史の中でも、特にこの2年ほどは、新型コロナウイルス感染症の世界的な感染拡大により、日米間の往来も一時的に中断せざるを得なかった厳しい時期がありました。しかし、そのような困難な状況下においても、人と人との交流の重要性をうたう本計画の設立当初の信念は変わることなく、志の高い留学生、研究者、そして事務局職員等の皆様の強い熱意と努力により、その交流は速やかに再開され、両国のより強固な関係に寄与しています。

近年、国際社会は多くの課題に直面しており、グローバルな平和、安全及び繁栄にとって、基本的価値を共有する米国との関係は益々重要になっており、日米両国は、かつてないほど強固で深いパートナーシップを確認しています。本計画が、両国の次の時代を担う人材の育成に一層大きな役割を果たすことを期待しています。

文部科学省としても、今後も皆様方の御指導・御協力を頂きながら、本計画を引き続き積極的に支援していくとともに、日米両国の関係強化に貢献してまいります。

Over these past 70 years, close to 10,000 Japanese and American young studentsand scholars have made reciprocal visits under the Fulbright Program. Learning and researching together, they have gained invaluable opportunities for deepening mutual understanding and sharing common values through the exchanges. Many of Fulbright alumni called “Fulbrighters”have gone on to playactive and leading roles in a wide range of fields extending to politics, business, education, science, academia, government and so on, includingNobel Laureates. They have contributed greatly to the building of the mature and trustfulJapan-U.S.relationship.

There have been trying periods during this long 70-year history, particularly during these past two years when visitsbetween Japan and the United States were forced to be suspendeddue to the COVID-19pandemic. However,even under these difficult circumstances, the founding belief of the Fulbright Program in the importance of people-to-peopleexchanges has never changed. Thanks to the strong zealand effortsof thehighly motivatedstudents, scholars, and the Secretariat, these exchanges have been promptly resumed and are again contributing to the even strongerties between thetwo countries.

In recent years, the international community has been facing numerous challenges, making Japan’s relationship with the United States, with which it shares basic values, even more importantfor global peace, security, and prosperity. Both Japan and the U.S.have affirmed that our partnership is stronger and deeper than ever before. We expect that the Fulbright Program will play a greater role in fosteringtheleaders ofthe next generation in both our countries.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) continues to support the Fulbright Program proactively with guidance and cooperation from you alland contribute to the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. relationship.

文部科学省国際統括官
岡村 直子

OKAMURA Naoko

Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)