In Memory of Mr. Sohei Nakayama, Founder of the International University of Japan

Yotaro KOBAYASHI (Chairman, Board of Trustee, International University of Japan)

This is Mr. Kobayashi’s statement addressed to all the members at the International University of Japan on November 22, 2005

Mr. Sohei Nakayama, the Founder and First Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International University of Japan (IUJ) passed away at the age of 99 on November 19, 2005.

Mr. Nakayama became Governor of the Industrial Bank of Japan in 1961 at the age of 55 and was later appointed Chairman and Advisor. Throughout his career he took strong initiatives within the Japanese business community to facilitate Japan's contribution to the international community. He stressed the urgent need of nurturing personnel with broad perspectives, able to make global contributions.

With the support of the business community, Mr. Nakayama established International University of Japan, the first graduate school in this country teaching all courses in English. IUJ began operation in 1983 at the same time as the opening of the Joetsu Shinkansen. Mr. Nakayama became the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Saburo Okita became the first President.

Under Mr. Nakayama's guidance, IUJ has integrated international relations and area studies with management education and produced 2,200 graduates from more than 100 countries. These graduates are now actively engaged in global business careers in various parts of the world, building a broad alumni network centering on IUJ itself.

After he resigned as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Nakayama continued to come regularly to IUJ's Tokyo office until very recently and to make active contributions to the university's development, as a Board member, as Special Advisor, and as Chairman of the IUJ Promotion Committee. It was indeed tragic that he passed away without seeing the realization of our current efforts to strengthen the IUJ's identity.

May his soul rest in peace.