2024年4月1日
On Monday, April 1, special guest and journalist Akira Ikegami brightened up a warm spring day by giving the Welcome Speech.
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1950, Mr. Ikegami is a journalist and a professor at Meijo University. After graduating from the Keio University Faculty of Economics, he joined the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), where he worked as a reporter, television newscaster, and in other roles, before going independent in 2005. He now works as a freelancer in various media, including writing, publishing, and broadcasting.
In his speech, Mr. Ikegami started out with the topic of "the meaning of foreign language learning in an era of increasingly widespread AI translation." Referring to examples such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other incidents in various countries and regions, he explained that differences in “language” and “words” are underlying causes of international wars, civil wars, and other conflicts in around the globe. He also touched on major differences between border control measures in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that even people who speak the same language can have highly diverse cultures and ways of thinking.
In addition, he delivered another important message to new students: "Learning in high school is based on curriculum guidelines, but learning in university is quite different. At university professors, who are also researchers, teach you some aspects of their research. It's important that you refrain from simply accepting what you are taught as the 'correct answer,' and instead study and explore things in greater depth on your own. The depth of learning you obtain is dependent on your personal drive." He also emphasized, as a tip for success in personal growth among students, the act of "always questioning oneself."
New students listened intently to Mr. Ikegami's lecture, which explored the value of language amid the events unfolding in today's world, the importance of learning about culture and history in addition to language on its own, and effective approaches to study at the University and Junior College.
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