Dear President Itoh,

Dear Vice-President Matsuura,

Dear Dean Takashio,

Dear Vice-Presidents,

Faculty, and Staff,

Dear students,

Ambassadors,

Excellencies,

It is a great honor to receive this honorary doctorate from Keio University, especially considering the distinguished past recipients such as Delors and Adenauer. This reflects the esteemed status of Keio, Japans oldest university, founded as a bridge between East and West by Fukuzawa Yukuchi. His vision of spreading knowledge remains integral to the universitys mission today.

Fukuzawa Yukuchis life and writings highlight the importance of independence—both personal and national. He argued that true freedom is essential for a resilient society. His key work, “An Outline of a Theory of Civilisation,” emphasizes this theme, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of its publication next month.

We can draw parallels between his era and ours. The late 19th century faced imperialism and regional conflicts, much like today. The question is how we navigate this historical moment. For Europe and Japan, Fukuzawa’s principles of freedom and independence provide guidance.

We must confront our current realities without nostalgia. The challenges we face today are significant and will shape our century. We cannot wait for things to revert to the past; we must proactively create a new model of independence that encompasses security, prosperity, and democracy.

Europe is making strides in defense investment and promoting technological innovation. Independence means having the freedom to shape our own future, which necessitates collaboration, not isolation. Europe and Japan face shared challenges, and our partnership strengthens us both.

In economic security, we are fortifying our supply chains to withstand competition and investing in each other’s security. We are committed to global partnerships, recognizing that our strength lies in collaboration.

Dear students, your responsibilities extend beyond your immediate surroundings. Your work can have far-reaching impacts. As exemplified during the pandemic, when Europe united to support each other and the world, we learned that our actions are interconnected.

As you move forward in your careers, remember that taking responsibility for others fosters a global community. This is the legacy of Fukuzawa Yukuchi and the message I leave with you today.

Thank you for this honor—long live Keio University and the friendship between Europe and Japan.