84
September
2023

One World, One Family

Welcome Reception

A wonderful week in JapanThe COVID-19 pandemic affected many things.
Amongst these was the annual Field Studies arranged by the
Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sakasakawa
Peace Foundation (SPF), which had to be cancelled in 2020,2021 and 2022. Fortunately for the Class of 2023 and myself,
the Field Studies were resumed this year. A group of 30
Sasakawa-funded students, as well as Professor Max Mejia
and myself, headed to Tokyo on 6 May 2023. What a great
week lay ahead of us.
Despite pouring rain the day we arrived, the welcome wastruly warm. We were met at the airport by Ms. Emi Shimada
from the OPRI, and tour guide Ms. Miyo Wada, who expertly
shepherded us to our bus. The skill of “expert shepherding”
was one that we observed so many times during the week:
no-one left behind!
We met Mr. Eisuke Kudo, Senior Advisor and Mr.
Keiichiro Yamada, Program Director to the OPRI at thefirst lunch. Mr. Kudo’s warmth and enthusiasm is always
infectious. We had a great time, despite our travel fatigue.
Following an orientation meeting, we had free time for
exploring Tokyo in the afternoon and evening. Many students
took this opportunity to find their way to Asakusa temple andmarket or to other iconic tourist sites like Tokyo Tower or the
Shibuya shopping area.

Monday 8 May was perhaps the biggest and mostimportant day of the week’s activities. After a very informative
visit to Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology,
the students paid a courtesy visit to the Maritime Bureau of the
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The
Maritime Bureau has consistently supported the field studies
arrangements for many years, and Mr. Shinnosuke Hada,
Deputy Director of Ocean Development and Environment
Policy Division of Maritime Bureau, travelled with us as anadvisor to our field studies. Our visit to the Bureau was a goodchance to express our gratitude for its kind help.
Next was a courtesy visit to The Nippon Foundation
where we had the honour of a personal meeting with Dr. Yohei
Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation. The students
were each introduced to Dr. Sasakawa and they thanked
him for the fellowship support they had received, outlining
briefly how their studies at the World Maritime University
would benefit the maritime industry in their home countries
and regions. The group then sang the WMU Song for Dr.
Sasakawa, which he seemed to enjoy, conducting us from hisplace on the podium. Dr. Sasakawa responded with a warm
personal address, and we were then delighted take both groupand individual photographs with him. The positive energy Dr.
Sasakawa displays is an inspiration to us all.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)

1

Chairman Sasakawa speaks to the students.
No.84

A wonderful week in Japan

Nippon Survival Training Center

Ariake Water Reclamation CenterTokyo Metropolitan Government Waste Landfill Sites

Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation

The day was not over yet! The Welcome Reception hosted
by the Friends of WMU, Japan that evening was delightful.
Welcomed by Dr. Hide Sakaguchi, Executive Director of the
Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the students, Professor Mejia
and I enjoyed the chance to chat with senior officers of the
Sasakawa Peace Foundation, representatives from various
maritime institutions, members of the Tokyo Diplomatic
Corps and, not least, WMU graduates who were able to join
us. The delicious buffet meal made sure we all in good spirits.
The students and WMU graduates sang the WMU Song, tothe delight of the audience.
The following days were a wonderfully-organized tourof the maritime industry in Japan. On Tuesday 9 May wecontinued our stay in Tokyo, visiting The Tokyo Metropolitan
Government Waste Landfill Sites and the Ariake Water
Reclamation Center, both of which were extremelyinteresting for our students to see.
Wednesday saw us depart Tokyo by plane for Fukuoka,
a very pleasant smaller city. During our stay in Fukuoka we
experienced what for me was one of the highlights of oursite-visits, at the Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation. Luckily,
our visit coincided with the launch of a new vessel. We had
the chance to tour the ship, and then to see it leave the wharf
on its maiden voyage. What an experience! Mr. Kudo asked
us to sing the WMU Song as it left and of course, we enjoyedsinging the ship off to sea, wishing it many safe voyages while
we waved from the wharf. Our next visit was to the Nippon
Survival Training Center where we were shown some very
2

Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporationinteresting equipment. It was also interesting to note that theCenter trains some international groups as well as Japanese
course participants.
Thursday saw us visiting the Port of Hakata, where as well
as a port tour we were given a boat tour around the harbour
area. Hakata, as viewed from the sea, was quite beautiful andI remember a particularly interesting baseball arena shining
like bronze in the sunlight. Of greater maritime interest,
perhaps, was the unloading of a vessel in port where I had myfirst opportunity to witness the efficiency of containers shiftedfrom a vessel to waiting transportation on land. One of ourgroup timed the unloading to 51 seconds per container, which
was impressive.
Before leaving this area of Japan, we also called at the
Kanmon Kaikyo Vessel Traffic Service Centre. The Center
provides a radar surveillance service, giving traffic informationand control for vessels entering, leaving or navigating throughthe difficult Kanmon passage. We were very interested to see
how this service was provided and I learned about the conceptof leading lights in navigation.
Late that day we boarded the Hankyu Ferry at Shinmoji
Port, headed for Kobe. Another adventure! Our evening hours
were spent in the dining room of the ferry, where our guide
Ms. Miyo Wada hosted a traditional Japanese tea ceremony for
us to enjoy. This glimpse of Japanese culture was very precious.
We disembarked in Kobe early on Friday morning.
Another busy day of site-visits awaited, firstly to the Furuno
Electric Co., Ltd. With a history dating back to 1938, Furuno
No.84

A wonderful week in JapanKANMON KAIKYO Vessel Traffic Service Center

Tea ceremony experience on the ferry

Furuno Electric Co., Ltd

Port of Hakata

From Kobe to Kyoto by bullet train (Shinkansen)

is now one of the major suppliers of marine radar equipment– and since my return to Sweden I have enjoyed spotting
Furuno equipment on boats moored near my home. I know
where it came from!
Our second visit that day was to HSN-Kikai Kogyo
Co., Ltd. where we saw many functions of this interestingly
varied company. Having started out making pumps for mines,
HSN-Kikai Kogyo ventured into the production of pumps
for vessels and then oil/water separators. The latest innovation
being pursued is the hydroponic production of fresh vegetables
on board ship – which was absolutely fascinating to see. The
Chairman of the company, Mr. Kimio Tomofuji kindly met
us at the conclusion of our visit, and we entertained him
with the WMU Song. Leaving HSN-Kikai Kogyo, our lastsite visit, we enjoyed for the last time the “10-minute wave
goodbye”, as our new friends there steadfastly stood to wave
us off as our bus disappeared into the distance.
Our last day in Japan was devoted to touring thewonderful city of Kyoto. Tour guide Ms. Miyo Wada took us
to three temples and a shrine – each of them surrounded by
meticulously kept gardens in the Japanese style. The peacefulatmosphere of the green areas complemented the dignity ofthe traditional buildings so beautifully. Ms. Wada did her best
to explain the Zen garden at Ryoanji Temple; I think she gave
us food for thought for a long time to come.
We left Japan the next day. At our orientation meeting on
the previous Sunday, Mr. Kudo had mentioned two objectives
for the field studies: an overview of maritime activities in

HSN-Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd

Zen garden at Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto

Japan, and the development of community feeling in the
Sasakawa student group. In my opinion, both these objectives
were met well.
What we do now is remember with great warmth thewelcome, the experiences, the knowledge and the friendships.
Our sincere gratitude for all the kind and thoughtfularrangements made for us goes to the SPF team: Mr. Kudo,
Mr. Yamada, Ms. Shimada and Ms. Naito. To our tour guide,Ms. Miyo Wada, our fondest thanks.
Arigato gozaimasu!

Heian Shrine in Kyoto

Lyndell Lundahl
Assistant University Registrar(Student Services),
WMU
3

No.84

WMU Celebrates© 2023 World Maritime University

From June 20 to 22, the WMU held an event commemorating
the 40th anniversary of the university’s establishment, together with
the WMU@40 Conference on Maritime and Ocean Sustainability.
The commemorative event was attended by approx. 450 participantsfrom around the world who celebrated the WMU and its
achievement of forging a 40-year history in grand style. (https://www.wmu.se/news/wmu-marks-40-year-anniversary)

Held on the morning of June 20, the Commemorative
Ceremony brought together many high-level speakers and guests.
The ceremony began with Opening Remarks by HE Kitack Lim,IMO Secretary General and a graduate of the WMU. Interweaving
anecdotes from his own student days, he emphasized how WMU
graduates are playing important roles within the IMO as wellas various countries’ maritime sectors, while also reiterating his
gratitude to the City of Malmö, which has hosted and supported theuniversity for many years.
Next, WMU President Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry
greeted the participants, saying that in looking towards a sustainable
future, WMU fellows in particular need to take responsibility.
During the ceremony, The Nippon Foundation was presented
with a special award for its scholarship support of the WMU’s MSc
program over the decades as well as its support in the establishmentof the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute and of NF Chairs.
In accepting the award on behalf of the foundation, Executive
Director Mr. Mitsuyuki Unno expressed high expectations for the
future activities of WMU graduates.
The WMU@40 Conference on Maritime and Ocean
Sustainability was held on the afternoon of June 20 and on June
4

21. During the conference, panelists comprising mainly WMU
professors and graduates presented panel discussions on six themes:
1. Zero Emission Shipping; 2. Healthy, Safer & Secure Working
Conditions; 3. Collaboration Among Stakeholders; 4. Rewarding
Sustainable Performance & Fostering Innovation; 5. Creating a
Level Playing Field; and 6. Protecting the Oceans.
Four of the panelists were Sasakawa Fellows, and they played
a role in deepening the discussions by bringing up issues and making
suggestions related to the various themes. Each of the panels took abroad range of questions and opinions from the audience, and there
was lively debate.
On the morning of June 22, the final day of the conference,
there was a session centered on presentations by WMU graduates
introducing the alumni association activities in two regional groups:
1. Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, and Pacific; and 2. Liberia,
Philippines, Kenya, Japan, Arab Alumni, and Hellenic Alumni.
A poster session was also held simultaneously, and the Friendsof WMU, Japan Secretariat presented a poster on the Sasakawa
Fellowship Program.
Taking the opportunity presented by these events, the Friendsof WMU, Japan Secretariat set up a meet-up place in the World
Bistro on the evening of June 21 for Sasakawa students and Sasakawa
Fellows to get together.
Although the gathering was short, lasting around an hour,
WMU President Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Prof. Max Mejia,
and many other WMU staff also took part. Not only was lively
exchange of network information among participants achieved, butalso a merry time was had by all.
One World, One Family
Sasakawa Fellowship Program
History

Sasakawa Fellows〔1983 Inauguration of WMU〕

1987 The Nippon Foundation deposited for scholarship (7 students)

1995 Friends of WMU, Japan inaugurated
2000 Sasakawa Fellow Forum in Tokyo
2002 Friends of WMU, Japan Newsletter
2002 Philippine Chapter
2005 Friends of WMU, Japan Website

760 People

2022 35th Anniversary of Sasakawa Fellowship Program

84 Countries

Big Family!

The Two Organizations
Donor•• Established in 1962
• Projects:
・Social Innovation
・Support for Children
・Support for Disaster Recovery
・Leprosy
・Support for Persons with Disability

Annual Event

Gathering Orientation 2011～

Japan Field Study Trip

Operator

1993～

Established in 1986
(Merged with Ship and Ocean Foundation)• Projects:
・Japan-U.S. Program
・Security Studies Program
・Asia and Middle East Program
・Peacebuilding Program
・Gender Investment and Innovation Program
・Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program・TThe Ocean Policy Research InstituteNetwork Activities- Friends of WMU, Japan Newsletter • Alumni newsletter since October 2002

• Issued on a quarterly basis• Over 1,000 copies sent to more than
100 countries worldwide to related
maritime personnel• Readership beyond just alumni

How to Become a Sasakawa Student
1. Submit Documents for Enrollment to WMU
2. First Selection "Academic Clearance" by WMU
3. Final Selection by Selection Board in SPF
4. WMU informs the successful candidate

Sasakawa Fellows Awards Ceremony 1993～

Network Activities- Regional Network Meetings 2007 Southeast Asian Regional Meeting in Thailand
2010 South Asian Regional Meeting in Sri Lanka
2013 African Regional Meeting in Ghana
2018 East European, Middle Eastern, andNorth African Reginal Meeting in UK
2022 African Regional Meeting in Tunisia

Thank you for Your Interest in
Our Network!!
To Contact Us: wmujapan@spf.or.jp
Friends of WMU, Japan
Ocean Policy Research Institute
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation Bldg.,
1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8524, Japan
Phone: +81-3-5157-5210 Fax: +81-3-5157-5230

No.84

s 40th Anniversary

Jesus Antonio
Menacho Pierola(Peru, 2010)

Victoria Quindara
Paraggua(Philippines, 2009)

Norhasliza Mat Salleh(Malaysia, 2006)

Altan-Od Bazarragchaa(Mongolia, 2006)

Last April, I was invited to speak at the WMU@40: Conference on Maritime & Ocean Sustainability in Malmö,
Sweden, from 20 to 22 June 2023. It was a privilege for me to actively participate in Panel 2 with the topic “The Roleof the Maritime Authority of Peru Promoting Healthy, Safe & Secure working conditions for Seafarers and Fishers”,
and prouder being an Alumnus of WMU, Class of 2010.
WMU@40 conference marked an important landmark in the University’s history. It was a prominent success,getting together internationally recognised maritime and ocean experts, many of whom are WMU alumni, to celebrate
four decades of outstanding achievements.
I had the opportunity to meet with Professors and WMU Staff, as well as some Classmates and several Sasakawa
Fellows, and I was delighted to know their success in the maritime world.
I remember my favourite phrase for every event like this: “The ocean is huge, but the maritime world is little.”

Visiting WMU after 14 years is nostalgic. My heart pounded with excitement while mingling withformer and new WMU professors and staff, co-alumni, and Sasakawa fellows. The new WMU building ismagnificent, whereas the brick remnant given as remembrance was a great idea. Moreover, the conference
topics are timely and informative. Indeed, the WMU@40 celebration was a wonderful encounter, etched to
my memory lane. Thank you WMU and The Nippon Foundation!

After leaving the World Maritime University back in October 2006, I have been coming back to Malmöa number of times to deliver a number of presentations in WMU as well as private visit. But my mostrecent visit to WMU in June 2023 to attend the 40th Anniversary of University brings lots of wonderful
memories, made me proud, with immense pleasure being part of this top-notch educational institution.
There was much reminiscing, there was also a focus on the future, as I was accompanied by my little girl.
WMU, Happy 40 years and keep on going strong!

I am from Mongolia and graduate of WMU from 2006 with specialization in Maritime Administration.
Had a chance to visit our beloved school and meet our lecturers, professors, classmates 17 years after our
graduation. Also had a chance to thank the Sasakawa staff for giving me a big opportunity to receive
maritime knowledge, which was very helpful for my career. It was a great pleasure to meet my classmates
after such a long time. Taking this opportunity I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers
of WMU@40 event.

Deniz Can Serter(Turkey, 2019)

This year is the 40th anniversary of the World Maritime University. By this occasion we, Sasakawa
graduates, had a very special opportunity to meet with experienced fellows who became part of the event.
Our conversations focusing on Sasakawa past and present, classmates, the years at WMU, our families, ouraccomplishments, and our legacies.
Probably we still did not transform the maritime world as we thought we would, but we may have helped
make it a better place. I felt very happy to see a different perspective of Sasakawa fellow graduates, ourSasakawa managers and staff as well as WMU faculty.

Chahrazed Tigha(Algeria, 2022)

Attending the 40th anniversary of World Maritime University was an incredible experience. The focus on maritime
and ocean sustainability, along with the shared insights and ongoing project updates, left me in awe. Reconnectingwith colleagues both from Sasakawa Fellows and Sasakawa Fellowship Students, added a sense of warmth. Words can’t
quite capture the wonderful atmosphere. Being a Sasakawa fellow, the opportunity to present was met with a fantastic
reception, thanks to the dedicated fellowship. Gratitude overflows for making this anniversary unforgettable.
On this occasion, I extend my special thanks to Mr. Kudo, Mr. Emi, and Ms. Shimada. It was a delight to see them;it felt like we’ve known each other for a long time. I’m truly grateful to Dr. Yohei Sasakawa and The Nippon Foundation
for making this transformative experience possible, changing my life for the better.

Roland Oladipo Ijabiyi(Nigeria, 2019)

As I stepped into the warm embrace of the breezy Malmö summer, I was overwhelmed by the nostalgiaof golden memories created on the hallowed grounds of WMU premises over 4 years ago.
The WMU@40 event was a star-studded festival of maritime accomplishments, innovative exploits andvisionary discourse that illuminated the future of our oceans, ships and ports.
It was the perfect opportunity to banter with old classmates, particularly my Sasakawa tribesmen andwomen, esteemed members of WMU faculty, and an inspiring array of maritime changemakers.
So, here’s to many more decades of WMU and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation lofty achievements – may
the lighthouse guiding us to new maritime frontiers and sustainable oceans, never cease to shine!
Let the adventure continue!
5

No.84

Taking WMU Pictures for 32 Years

HM The King Carl XVI Gustaf
with Mr. Efthymios Mitropoulos

Mr. Allan Olofsson(Rtd. Photographer)

As a boy, I lived in Hörby, a small town in central Skåne in
the south of Sweden. My interest in taking photographs started
when I was quite a youngster, only about 13 years old. After
finishing my military service, photography became my choice ofprofession and I was lucky to become employed as a professional
photographer at first in the city of Lund, and then later in Malmö.
I had many contracts for photography work, such as with
the Swedish Television studio in Malmö, but the one I foundmost rewarding in my career was my work for the World
Maritime University.
Like many things in life, my first contact with WMU
was by chance. A colleague of mine had been asked to work as
the photographer for the 1989 WMU Graduation, and he wasunable to accept the job. He recommended me and… that was
it! From then on, it was Graduation each year, then student andstaff ID photography and group photography for the WMU
Yearbook. This was a job that gave me the opportunity to meetthousands of students and staff from all corners of the world, for
32 happy and interesting years.
In 1991 and in 1994 I took ID photographs of 2 students
who later became very famous. I photographed the current
Secretary-General of IMO, Mr. Kitack Lim, and the new
President of the World Maritime University, Professor Max
Mejia! Of course, we did not know at the time how these ID
photographs of young, ambitious students would “go down inhistory”.
When you work as a photographer, you are always standing
behind the camera, not in front of it. Sometimes this is frustrating.
When WMU celebrated its 25th anniversary, the King of Sweden

attended the celebration. I took many photographs of him withvarious dignitaries – and then I got to shake his hand myself. But
no-one took a photograph of me!
I have nice memories of the old WMU building that nolonger exists. When we started using colour photography for the
yearbook, we would take the group photographs for the Yearbook
in the park across the road from the University building. The
students, all dressed in graduation gowns, would file across theroad. Traffic stopped and often drivers blew their horns to salutethe students. It was fun.
Many things have changed during the years I have worked
for WMU. Until digital photography took over, working at
Graduation was so stressful. I had to have an assistant with mechanging film into a second camera so I didn’t miss a shot as thestudents walked across the stage. And after the big event, I had
to work in the dark room all night to make sure the photographs
were available at the University the next morning. In those days,
most students would leave Sweden within a couple of days after
Graduation, and of course they wanted to be able to take theirphotographs with them. Nowadays, being able to send a link to adigital photograph makes things much easier.
Stress or no stress, I always enjoyed the WMU Graduation
ceremony and still attend it each year. The choir singing theWMU Song is very meaningful: “We live in harmony, sharing
knowledge and experience like a big family”. What WMU has
given me is the knowledge that while distance and culture may
make us seem different, we all smile in the same way. Thank you
for 32 wonderful years.

6

No.84

First Position in Essay Competition
by Rashtriya Raksha University

The essay stressedtheurgentneed to cut
Alysious Forbie
greenhouse gas emissions(Sierra Leone, 2023)
and safeguard sensitive
marine ecosystems including
The School of Integrated Coastal and Maritime Security Studies coral reefs and sea grass beds
(SICMSS) at Rashtriya Raksha University, organized an essay competition in relation to climate change.
focusing on marine environment pollution and States Parties’ obligations It covered the relevance ofunder UNCLOS. The competition aimed to encourage practitioners, sustainable fishing methods,
faculty, and students to contribute their expertise and knowledge to address climate adaptation, andcritical issues related to marine pollution, climate change, and sea-level aquatic meals in addition to how they might improve nutrition whilerise. Participants were required to support their arguments with references minimizing environmental damage. The essay also emphasized theto relevant international laws, state practices, doctrines, and case-law while importance of international cooperation and the function of organizations
highlighting regional perspectives from different parts of the world, including like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and theAfrican, Asian, Small Island States, and Land-Locked States. The ultimate Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in addressing climate change
goal was to raise awareness and find effective solutions for safeguarding the and marine pollution. The importance of teamwork in protecting marine
marine environment amidst the challenges posed by climate change.
biodiversity and guaranteeing the long-term viability of marine ecosystems
My essay presented a comprehensive overview of marine environment was underlined.
pollution, climate change, and sea-level rise, exploring their connection
In conclusion, the pivotal role of global treaties, regional partnerships,with UNCLOS. The significance of UNCLOS in establishing regulations and national endeavors in addressing the urgent issues of marine pollution
for sustainable ocean resource use and addressing emerging concerns was and climate change is emphasized in the essay. These collective endeavors
emphasized. It highlighted the obligation of states to take measures to are indispensable in lessening the adverse impacts on the fragile marine
prevent, mitigate, and manage marine pollution from various sources and environment. To safeguard our oceans for future generations, the essay
enforce these measures consistently. The essay also discussed different types highlighted the significance of ongoing research, promoting innovation,of pollution addressed under UNCLOS, including land-based, ship-related, and adopting sustainable practices. By actively participating in continuous
seabed exploration, and marine facility pollution.
research, identifying creative solutions, and implementing sustainable
Moreover, the essay emphasized the importance of regional measures, we can take decisive actions to safeguard marine biodiversity,
cooperation and national-level initiatives in effectively protecting the marine protect vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs and sea grasses, and ensure theenvironment and its living resources. It suggested fostering partnerships long-term sustainability of our oceans. It is only through coordinated action
among coastal states, evaluating marine research institutions, and promoting and a shared commitment to responsible environmental stewardship that weregional collaboration to tackle marine pollution and conservation challenges. can effectively confront the challenges faced by the marine world and secure
The efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its its resilience in the face of climate change.
subsidiary bodies, such as the Maritime Environment Protection Committee
Please visit the following link to read the full essay.
(MEPC), in addressing marine pollution and promoting environmental https://www.wmujapan.net/global-data/20230913135338954.
protection within the maritime sector were outlined.
pdf ?20230913135346

The Malta's Ministerial Declaration Reaffirmed Political Commitment
to the WesteMED Initiative
Nabil Anwari(Morocco, 2005)

Since its inception in 2017, the WestMED Initiative has sought
to develop a sustainable and resilient blue economy within the Western
Mediterranean region, involving Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta,
Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia. This far-reaching
initiative, which benefits from the support of the Union for the Mediterranean(UfM) and the European Commission (EC), has touched upon various
fields such as aquaculture, shipping, marine spatial planning, maritime safety
and security, blue skills, and marine renewable energies.
During the first phase, which ended in 2022, the Initiative proved
to be a useful intergovernmental platform for promoting a sustainable blue
economy and supporting member countries in developing project proposals.
Being nominated as a member of the steering committee since 2022, I havebeen tasked with representing my country in the sessions of the governing
bodies organized in Malta from June 21 to June 23, 2023.
On June 21, the inauguration took place in the historical Villa Arrigo
in Valetta, where the members of the steering committee met to examine a
number of items, particularly the final version of the Ministerial Declaration.
On June 22, The historical villa welcomed a number of experts from7

the region, coming from the realms of the public sector, private sector, NGOs,
and academia. The task force had the duty to review the various innovative
projects carried out in domains such as green maritime transport, maritime
clusters, sustainable aquaculture, and marine spatial planning.
The concluding step was achieved on June 23, when ministers andhigh-level representatives from the 10 WestMED countries, the European
Commission, and the Union for the Mediterranean gathered inside Spazju
Kreattiv, Malta’s Centre for Creativity, in Valletta to reiterate the willingnessof all partners to endeavor towards attaining the outlined objectives pursuant
to the priorities enshrined in the newly adopted Ministerial Declaration.
More information about the WestMED Initiative and the substanceof the Malta Declaration can be found at: https://westmed-initiative.
ec.europa.eu/.

No.84

New WMU President Max Mejia
Visits Japan
New WMU President Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. visited Japan from July
4 to 8 as his first courtesy calls abroad since his appointment on June 29.
During his visit, Dr. Mejia held discussions regarding the present
and future cooperative alliances with leaders of Japan's maritime sector,
including the Maritime Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism; Japan Coast Guard; Nippon Kaiji Kyokai; Japanagency of Maritime Education and Training for Seafares; Tokyo Universityof Marine Science and Technology; and Japanese Shipowners' Association.
On the final evening of his stay in Tokyo, Dr. Mejia was surroundedby Japanese Sasakawa Fellows who were sharing their recent activities withhim.

The Apple of My Eye

Japan Coast Guard

Maritime Bureau

Tomotsugu Noma (Japan, 2016)

Hello. I am Tomotsugu Noma from S16. my son’s cuteness is many times greater thanThis is my first appearance in this newsletter any hardship, and just looking at his sleeping
since my wedding announcement, and I am back face soothes me, even when I come home latebecause I have happy news to share. Last year our at night from work. In Japanese there is a saying
family welcomed a new member with the birth “It doesn't hurt even if you put it in your eye” (=of a bouncing baby boy. I had been warned in “The apple of my eye”), and this is so true. Everyadvance, but taking care of a baby really is hard, day I think to myself, I must put even more effort
and I am eternally grateful to my wife. However, into my work for my child as well.

Please update Directory information
As usual, the Friends of WMU, Japan Secretariat will
send seasonal greetings to everyone who has registered homeaddress in the Directory.
To ensure everyone receives one, please visit our directory(https://www.wmujapan.net/directory/) before the end of

October to check your home address is updated.
Last year, more than 100 letters were returned due tounknown addresses, so we kindly request your cooperation inpreventing it from happening again this year!

Your Signatures are My Treasure“Mr. Kudo!”a beautiful lady called my name at the exit of London Heathrow
Airport. I wasn't expecting to meet anyone there, but it was the Sasakawa
fellow from Ukraine who happened to be at the airport and noticedme. I
kindly forced her to sign her signature as usual. I received signatures from 160
Sasakawa Fellows who attended the Tokyo Network meeting in 2001. Since
then, it has become my regular practice to get signatures from the Fellows
every time I meet with them. The number of Sasakawa Fellows is currently
850, but the number of signatures has exceeded 1,000.
The COVID-19 outbreak has somehow subsided and the Japan Field
Trip has resumed. From now on, there will be more opportunities for Fellows
to meet each other at home and abroad without worrying about the fatal
infection. I wish that the Fellows will be able to speak to each other in afriendly, "naked" way in their feelings towards the resolution of maritime
issues. It is my unfulfilled dream to hold an international conference in Japan
while soaking in a hot spring.
Since April, we have welcomed Ms. Yasko Suzuki ( Japan, 2003) as amember of the editorial board. I look forward to her editorial proposals thatreflect the WMU graduates’ perspective.

Eisuke Kudo

(Senior Advisor, SPF)

This newsletter is published under a grant from The Nippon Foundation

to promote communication among the Sasakawa Fellows of WMU (World Maritime University)and edited by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in cooperation with Dr. Koji Murai
Ms. Yasko Suzuki, Mr. Shun Masui, Mr. Eisuke Kudo and Ms. Sue Jackson.
Friends of WMU, Japan Secretariat, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The Sasakawa Peace Foudation Bldg., 1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8524 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)3-5157-5263 Fax: +81-(0)3-5157-5230 URL: http://www.spf.org/en/

No.84