Opening Messages

Matsuda Keita

Deputy Mayor of Oita City

Opening Speech Summer in JAPAN 2026

Good morning, everyone. My name is Keita Matsuda, Deputy Mayor of Oita City. Thank you for inviting us today. Mayor Shinya Adachi is at another event right now, so he cannot attend today. On his behalf, I am happy to give this opening speech.

First, congratulations on the opening of Summer in JAPAN 2026. To all the teachers, welcome to Japan. To teachers and students, welcome to Oita City. I want to say a big thank you to President Hirotsuru and her team for their hard work in organizing this event. I would also like to thank co-founder Sumire Hirotsuru for your great work as a member of the Oita Board of Education and as our ambassador.

Summer in JAPAN is a special opportunity to meet Harvard University students and graduates. They are doing great things around the world. You can learn new things and new ways of thinking from them.

Last week, a big earthquake hit our neighbor, Kumamoto. We are thinking of everyone affected there. This reminds us how important it is to help each other.

To all the students, I hope you enjoy these seven days, learn a lot, and make good friends with each other. To all the teachers, I hope you share your wonderful ideas with the students.

Lastly, Oita has rich nature, long history, and delicious food. I hope you enjoy everything here in Oita. I also wish Summer in JAPAN continued success and a bright future. Thank you very much!