Australian Embassy
Tokyo
Japan

Ambassador Designate Hayhurst remarks at Tokyo City University (transcript), 2 April 2023

Mina sama, ohayo gozaimasu.

Justin Hayhurst to mou shi masu.

Good morning, President Miki, Chairman Izumi, Professor Kusaka, distinguished guests and students.

I am Justin Hayhurst, Australian Ambassador to Japan.  I thank President Miki for inviting me to deliver some words of encouragement.

To the students here today, congratulations on your admission to Tokyo City University. 

I’m sure you have worked hard to get here, so you should be very proud of this achievement.

A university education is a privilege, but it is above all an opportunity.

Not just for you as individuals but for your society as a whole, which will need your talent and dedication. 

And you are embarking on university life at a time of great promise, as well as great uncertainty.

Never has the power of human intellect and creativity been better rewarded, or more needed.

To create clean energy, improve digital governance, protect our environment or harness the power of quantum computing, for example.

We know also there are challenges for modern democracies like Japan and Australia.

We both need to work hard to improve productivity, tackle inequality and to protect our security.

That will require brain power and creativity.

It will require partnerships and collaboration.

And it will require critical thinking and open inquiry.

In my current role, I know more than ever about the importance of international engagement and cooperation.

I encourage you to think broadly and ambitiously about your studies – and the wider intellectual and social life of your university.

In our connected and contested world, language skills and international experiences will be invaluable.

They won’t just make a difference to your own prospects, they will help you better serve the interests of your country, the future of which is tied to the stability and character of the world outside.

It is the same for Australia.

Our connections matter more than ever.

If you do decide to study abroad, I encourage you to consider the ‘Tokyo City University Australia Program’.

This is a great opportunity for you to discover more about yourself, by experiencing Australia’s vibrant culture and society.

You will get an understanding of the power of partnership.

Our two countries need to develop intelligent, creative and passionate future leaders.

You could be one of those leaders, and one who supports academic, business or governmental cooperation between Japan and Australia and other countries. 

So, I wish you all the success in your studies at the Tokyo City University – and I hope to see you in Australia at some stage in the future.

Thank you and Ganbatte-kudasai!