SAP & SA 20th Anniversary Event Held

On Saturday, December 13, our school hosted a commemorative event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SAP and SA programs.

What Are SAP and SA?

This milestone event marked 20 years since the founding of the programs. Blessed with great weather, the celebration began with about 1,700 attendees, including students, faculty, parents, and members of the general public.

Part 1: Commemorative Ceremony

The ceremony began with greetings from Principal Yokozawa. Board Chairman Mr. Morishima emphasized the importance of a "diverse environment" and "opportunities to interact with excellence," highlighting how SAP and SA embody these values.

Special Keynote Speech

Following a spirited performance by the cheerleading team, Mr. Goro Yamaguchi, Chairman of Kyocera Corporation, delivered a special lecture titled "Your Passion Will Come True." Drawing from his own experiences and those of Kyocera founder Kazuo Inamori, he shared motivational messages with students:

• “The present is the result of past efforts, and today’s efforts will shape the future.”
• “Passion is the foundation of everything, and strong passion always comes true.”
• “Achieving one dream leads to finding the next.”
• “Youth is the perfect time to take on challenges—so go forward with strong passion.”

Sanga Talk Session

A valuable talk session was held featuring Head Coach Cho, players Okugawa and Nakano, and was moderated by our teacher Mr. Yoshidome, himself a member of the first SAP cohort. Coach Cho encouraged the students, stating, “What matters is whether you can continue to work hard in a privileged environment,” and, “If you truly give your all, you will feel regret when things don't go well—this is when you grow.” These words resonated deeply with the SAP and SA students striving for balance between academics and outside pursuits.

SA Performance: Kyogen (Traditional Comedy)
Mr. Terada, Executive Director, introduced the history of the SA program and the achievements of graduates who excelled in balancing school and their specialized fields. Following this, a Kyogen performance of “Kuchimane” (Mimicry) was presented by the Shigeyama family, featuring current SA second-year student Hohito Shigeyama, alumnus Torama Shigeyama, and Keiwa Shigeyama. The performance captivated the entire audience.

To close Part 1, all current SAP and SA students—who continue to strive daily in both academics and extracurricular excellence—were introduced on stage.

Part 2: Variety of Interactive Programs

Part 2 featured multiple programs held in parallel:

At Ritsumeikan Uji, we will continue to nurture students who strive globally through a balance of academics and activities, supported by an environment rich in diversity. We greatly appreciate your continued warm support.