On Monday, September 29, 2008, GRIPS held its 10th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony at the Sokairo Hall on its campus. The ceremony was attended by about 200 guests.

GRIPS President Tatsuo Hatta delivered a speech, expressing his gratitude for the support GRIPS has received over the past decade from various individuals and relevant organizations, making its wide range of achievements possible. He stated that GRIPS would not dwell on its past achievements, but instead would aim to further its unique research and educational activities, with future goals including the enrollment of a wider variety students, the enhancement of the doctoral programs, modernized education for municipal employees and the strengthening of a tight academic social network with Europe and the Americas, as well as with Asia and Africa.

GRIPS President, Tatsuo Hatta

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The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ryu Shionoya (read by Deputy Minister of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hideo Tamai), former Minister of Education, Seisuke Okuno, State Minister in charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy, Kaoru Yosano and House of Representatives member Yukio Hatoyama, also delivered congratulatory speeches.

Deputy Minister of Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science and Technology, Hideo Tamai

Former Minister of Education, Seisuke Okuno

State Minister in charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy, Kaoru Yosano

House of Representatives Member, Yukio Hatoyama

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We also took the opportunity to unveil the Takeo Fukuda Fellowship, which was created by GRIPS in honor of the late former prime minister Takeo Fukuda and to commemorate the 10th anniversary. Mr. Fukuda has contributed greatly to the establishment of an axis for diplomatic relations in Asia, the promotion of intellectual exchanges and the realization of stability and prosperity in East Asia. This Fellowship will endeavor to attract world leaders worthy of Mr. Fukuda’s name, especially leaders from Asia, while fostering future leaders, promoting intellectual exchanges and establishing a policy community for democratic rule. Please click here for more information about the Takeo Fukuda Fellowship.

This was followed by the introduction of the graduates from the various countries that attended the anniversary event. Mr. Loo Took Gee (from Malaysia), who represented the graduates, also gave a speech.

The Graduates

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The ceremony ended with an aria and chorus performance by the Fujiwara Opera to commemorate GRIPS’ 10th anniversary.

Aria and Chorus performance by Fujiwara Opera

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After the ceremony, a party was held at Hotel Okura Tokyo with approximately 350 guests in attendance, which included figures from the political, governmental, public and academic communities, as well as representatives from various embassies to Japan. Congratulatory speeches were delivered by House of Representatives members Yoshinobu Shimamura and Kozo Watanabe, as well as House of Councilors member Yoshimasa Hayashi. Following a toast made by the former Governor of Oita Prefecture, Morihiko Hiramatsu, numerous congratulatory messages from both within Japan and abroad were read. The party also featured interviews with alumni who graduated in September this year and was overall great success.

The First GRIPS President, Toru Yoshimura

House of Representatives Member, Yoshinobu Shimamura

House of Representatives Member, Kozo Watanabe

House of Councilors Member, Yoshimasa Hayashi

Toast by the former Governor of Oita Prefecture, Morihiko Hiramatsu

Interviews with Alumni

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It was a truly memorable day, as well as an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the history and experience of GRIPS and to endeavor toward taking our next step forward.