On February 6, the Josai University Educational Corporation (Chancellor Noriko Mizuta) hosted a special guest lecture to celebrate the publication of the biography of its founder, Mikio Mizuta, who was also a former Minister of Finance. Kenji Suzuki, author of the biography, attended the event at the Seiko Hall on the Josai University Sakado Campus. In honor of the university’s 50th anniversary, approximately 500 guests came to listen to Dr. Suzuki. Attendees included the writer Masayasu Hosaka and Togane City Mayor Naoharu Shiga, as well as various faculty members and local figures.

Dr. Suzuki was born in 1942. He completed his doctorate program in one of the graduate schools at the University of Tokyo. He has held various positions at the Mainichi Newspaper, including Washington Special Correspondent, Deputy Director of the Politics Section, and Deputy Chairman of the Editorial Committee. Additionally, he has worked at Seikei University as both a professor and as the Director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. He took up his current position in 2013. He is the main author of publications such as “Nationalism and the Media,” “Japan-America Crises and Reporting” and “War and the Newspaper”. From the early 1970s until the founder’s passing in 1976, Dr. Suzuki spent a lot of time working in close proximity to Mr. Mizuta. He was the final reporter in charge of covering Mikio Mizuta’s duty as Minister of Finance and as the leader of the Mizuta Faction.

On the day of the lecture, Chancellor Mizuta provided the opening remarks for the event. “Until now, our founder’s story has never been compiled. It was my wish that everyone should know his life story, and Dr. Suzuki happily accepted the task. Now I am grateful to hear from so many people, and to know that this wonderful book is being read by so many.”

During the lecture, which centered on the theme of “Mikio Mizuta and 21st Century Japan,” Dr. Suzuki explained the founder’s character. “Mr. Mizuta was an extremely hardworking person. He was a politician with integrity, who maintained a sense of pride, even if he had to endure financial difficulty.” He described Mr. Mizuta’s political creed as the idea that one should “follow proper constitutional practices.” Dr. Suzuki went on, saying, “He really understood the world of politics, and, after careful thought, he decided to pursue a new path in education.” Attendees also heard about a particular time just before the university’s founding, when there had been an issue about a lack of funding. In response to the problem, the President of the Petroleum Association at the time said that “the gods do not betray a god,” referring to Mr. Mizuta.
　 At the end of the lecture, Dr. Suzuki spoke of the university’s first graduation ceremony, which was held in 1969. “At that time, Mr. Mizuta talked of ‘character building through learning.’ I believe what he meant to say was, ‘The cultivation of one’s character is truly sought in the midst of the effort and struggle of creating a new environment.’” Dr. Suzuki concluded the event by saying, “May you head toward yet another new environment, going through the struggle and effort again, so that you can celebrate 100 years someday.”

The reception after the lecture was held in the media area of the campus’s Faculty of Business Administration building. It was a great opportunity for local and visiting guests to enjoy themselves and talk with one another. Mr. Hosaka gave the opening remarks for the occasion. “People like Kakuei Tanaka represent a period in time, but Mr. Mizuta is someone who created history. A person who lives in history the way Mr. Mizuta did, who holds on carefully to their theories, will be remembered in the periods to come. That person will remain,” he said, to resounding applause from the assembled guests.
　 Kantsubaki (2,500 yen + tax) was published by the Josai University Educational Corporation University Press in July 2015.