Upon UNESCO's proposal and a decision of the United Nations, this year is designated as the International Year for "The Culture of Peace". "The Culture of Peace" is an idea which was born in the 50 year history of the United Nations. It contains people's wish to create a culture based on the love of peace.

　 For a long time, peace has meant a situation which has no wars among nations. In the past 50 years, the number of large scale wars has decreased and the Cold War has ended. Today, the flow of people, things, money and information circulate globally and the walls between nations became lower. However, the conflicts within a state, among ethnicities, religions, and regions, have been increasing. In the 50 years after World War II ended, we can count 39 conflicts with more than 1,000 victims and the numbers are still increasing.(See ※１)

　　(※１)　39 conflicts with more than 1,000 victims in the 50 years after World War II until 1995.

　 Not only among nations but also in society in general, to create a situation of peace is desirable. We now need to solve a fundamental problem--- how can we prevent such conflicts?

　 It is becoming clearer that an obstacle which prevents the construction of peace is a "gap". The most significant gaps are those among ethnicity and religions. But the economical gap is at the base of them. We now recognize that when we overcome the economical gap, we can resolve some of the problems. For this, we must relocate the economical capability, that is, the wealth. Japan has been working for 30 years to resolve the economical gap among Asian countries which brought certain results. I am sure we would be able to adjust the gap more efficiently if the citizens, not only the governments, could make decisions on how to spend money.　

　 The roles of NGOs, in cooperation with the governments, are becoming larger and larger. Today, in a local community, there are more roles which NGOs can easily handle. (※２)

　 It is very important to tackle difficult problems in a community. The roles of a local　community and of each person are becoming more significant. What should we do now? The local government which scraps the least wastes is Hawaii and they preserve a beautiful environment. For Peace, I would like to say, "dump less wastes", "respect your neighbor", and "keep a good relationship with your parents." We have to turn our eyes to the ground we stand on.　　　 July 31, 2000

1) Concerning the theme of this year : "What we need and what we do not need in the next generation"　--- Free market is for the past. The leading principle for the 21st century is "Compassion and Love." "Con" = together with or to share. "Passion" =pathos, pain. (In an international conference in Delhi, many intellectuals have concluded this.)

2) About International Marriage--- Japan was a country that experienced a stream of international marriages. In the ancient era, Japanese accepted various people from Koreans to Tamils. This phenomenon resulted in the rising of the original culture. Encounter is very important. Wishing you may have many good encounters.

3) Words are culture, not a tool to communicate.

4) Conditions needed for workers in international organizations --- The first requirement is a "Personality" and the second is "Language ability with capabilities for judgement, analysis, and decision making"--- in this order. There is no 3rd, or 4th requirement and the 5th is one's special ability.

5) Joy of an encounter beyond national borders (which has only 250 years of history)--- it is a great pleasure for me to meet so many people here. To express my delight, I would like to say "You are the stars of our hope for the

　21st century"