We have the year 2011/2012 East Kobe RC activity started while the Great East Japan Earthquake still remain everywhere in the whole country as a big pain. We will support Mr.Kaoru Kuno, the governor of District 2680 to get in line with the activity of R.I.
Considering the significant responsibility expected, I am afraid I cannot handle that by myself, and would sincerely appreciate the directors, board members and every single member’ support to achieve the goal. I have set the guidepost for the year “A healthy, bright and enjoyable Rotary Club” so that we have all over100 members of our East Kobe RC actively attend the RC activity and community service.

According to WHO(World Health Organization) rule, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”. This is mentioned about a human being but I believe this applies to Rotary Club. Physically healthy suggests the organization of RC works lively in a good balance among constitution/nature, strength/power and furame.
Mentally healthy suggests RC’s philosophy and judgment are fair and its action is correct. Socially healthy suggests the base of RC’s spirit as a community service body.

Then, “Bright” is the condition of things being clear and very visible. Club’s organization and operation are open without any secret, and generous and open-minded.

“Enjoyable” suggests the club is the one every member enjoys as the word represents. I don’t think we need any reasons for that. That should be a feeling of pleasure and happiness coming after a sense of achievement. Every activity should be the one which is enjoyable and useful or it does not last.

Mr.Kalyan Banerjee, R.I. President (who has been elected from India) set this year’s objective “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity”.
Touching carefully at our own heart with a mind of humanity, we see everyone has the same dream, hope, wish and problem.
In order that everyone in the world can be happy, he picked up 6 important areas to focus and 3 key points. 　　

6 important areas

1. Peace and prevention/solution of troubles
2. Prevention of decease and cure
3. Water and sanitary facilities
4. Mother and children’s health
5. Fundamental education and improvement of literacy rate
6. Development of economy and community

3 key points

1. (to take care of) Family
2. (importance of) Continuity
3. (correspondence to) Change

With the consideration over the current situation of our club, I would like to discuss the link with R.I. with our directors.

Meanwhile, I would like to learn more things this year together with you all. I am almost 70 years old and yet ready to learn things to make myself further grow and become more healthy, bright and enjoyable person.

Japanese society is described as “Lost 20 years”. And the latest event at last was the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and the serious incident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Let’s look at the current situation carefully and draw Japan’s future. Let’s have our Rotary Club well be within that picture. Japan is now the world’s best longevity country, and with people at the world’s highest average age(44.6 years old). Japan is aging society with fewer children and a mature society with falling population. People’s sense of value have now shifted “from quantity to quality” and “from material to mental”.
Perception of happiness is also being shifted from “static form of acquired happiness” which is to have a lot of material, to “dynamic form of progressing happiness” which is to try to move towards the target with hope.