Subtitles section Play video
-
I graduated from college in 1951.
-
This was the six years after the end of the war,
-
and a lot of new ideas were coming into Japan -- democracy, women's
-
education. It was a rather exciting time. There were opportunities for graduate
-
students, but the interesting part of The Rotary Foundation fellowship seemed to
-
me that you were supposed to be the ambassador going to another country to
-
build friendship and understanding.
-
That was rather attractive to me -- to go abroad and study.
-
It was very exciting.
-
Americans were generous -- this was the time when America was very confident as
-
the world leader. I went to many Rotary meetings. I was very happy to be exposed
-
to this world of organized service. I was learning a new way of life that I
-
was trying to bring back to Japan.
-
I don't think I can claim to have chosen a path to service because my service was
-
very much more in the academic world in the diplomatic world. But if I had not
-
gone on a Rotary fellowship I would have just stayed in the University.
-
I think the idea of service may have come in rather naturally
-
because of my early exposure.
-
Each person gives something back in a different way.
-
Rotary Alumni Global Service Award.
-
This is a great honor and a surprise pleasure.
-
I would like to thank Rotary because it was great fun being invited to various
-
places or represented by people of very varied what shall I say professional
-
coverage, and I learned so much but I have to having been a Rotary fellow.
-
Arigato. Thank you very much.