2026/4/1

Throughout history, humanity has regularly found itself faced with stark choices that have impacted on its destiny. Decisions that have often led to the following of two distinctly different paths: confrontation and division, or understanding and cooperation. But what is the one defining factor that has generally allowed us to navigate successfully between these two paths? The simple answer is language.

Language is far more than a means of communication. It is the fundamental intellectual foundation that enables us to understand cultures and values different from our own, to respect one another, and to envision a shared future through dialogue. Because language exists, humanity possesses the capacity to transform conflict into dialogue and division into collaboration. Since its founding, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies has been devoted to cultivating this power under its guiding principle, PAX MUNDI PER LINGUAS—World Peace through Languages.

Today, the world is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Yet no matter how far technology progresses, the foundation of human society remains unchanged: our ability to understand one another, to build trust, and to shape the future together through words and dialogue. Our university will, therefore, continue to place language education at the heart of its mission while fostering intercultural understanding and a global perspective. We seek to nurture individuals who are prepared to confront the unknown, collaborate across boundaries, and contribute to shaping the future of society.

Rooted in Kyoto, a city long known to be at a crossroads of global culture, our university aspires to remain a center of knowledge that connects the local and the global, linking education and research with society. Through the power of language, we will continue to guide humankind toward understanding and cooperation, and thereby contribute to the realization of peace in the world.

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