Staff Interview

Ichiro Yamamoto
Program Leader, Trustee (Education and Information) and Vice-President, Nagoya University

Become a leader through your efforts and aspirations

This program provides the best opportunities and environment for selected students. Our students receive an elite education that cannot be found elsewhere through lectures on unique subject matter, diverse hands-on experiences in Japan and abroad, opportunities to talk with distinguished individuals in many fields, access to advanced equipment, and camaraderie among other program participants. Financial assistance is provided so that students can concentrate on their studies.

It is up to each student to take advantage of such an excellent environment. Each student's experience in this program will be what he or she makes of it, and it is the responsibility of each participant to put his or her best effort forth and share his or her talents with society. The opportunities provided in this program are more of guidelines of how to try new and interesting things. We do not teach one absolute method to reach a goal or what to do once a goal is achieved. Although proper guidance is necessary, too much stifles a person. However, people with a lot of will power thrive in this type of situation.

Graduate schools are places where students work with faculty members and fellow students, rather than a place where students are taught. In this program, we strive to produce people with doctorate degrees who are quality leaders in industry. We know that leaders are developed through various experiences in diverse workplaces, overcoming difficulties, and progressing beyond their predecessors.

In Japan, people often talk about social disparities. However, almost all young Japanese people have never experienced shortages of foods, clothes, and accommodations, and most believe that they never will. Additionally, sickness and terrorism rarely threaten people in Japan. However, if you look at Japan just 50 years ago, most people did not know what was going to happen tomorrow. Even today, many places in the world are in a similar or worse situation as Japan was 50 years ago, and in light of the fact that international relationships change rapidly, there is no guarantee that Japan will be a better place 50 years from now.

Many places in the world are filled with unfairness beyond what one individual could ever mend, such as places where there are unfathomable differences between the rich and the poor. Although it is difficult to imagine such a place when living in Japan, even people in such despair strive to build a new, better society. Their vitality is remarkable. I feel that they possess a desire for life that is lacking from the current youth in Japan, but it is people like that who elevate humanity.

This program is designed not only to improve individual students, but to improve society. This program allows highly motivated students to grow rapidly in a superb environment and eventually change the world.

What are your aspirations? Higher education was once only available to an elite few, which may be difficult to imagine if you live in Japan because more than half the population studies at universities. Previously, students desiring an opportunity for higher education had to possess an innate ability as well as an intense desire to contribute to society. This program welcomes people who have visions of how they can contribute to society and a vitality to overcome difficulties to become a leader. I want these people to accumulate experiences through this program because their future endeavors will contribute to society.