"Why is the sky blue?"
"How does a magnet
attract iron?"
"Why did all
the dinosaurs die?"
"What is it like
at the edges of space?"

The mind that questions,
that asks "why?" and "how?"--
this is the very heart of science.

A child looks up
at the open sky
across which a condor
leisurely, serenely wings its way,
and wonders:
"How come you can fly like that?
Yes! I also want to fly!"

This is the dream
that lived in
the hearts of children
for hundreds
for thousands of years.

It was the power of this dream,
the blue sky mirrored in your
eyes
as you followed birds
flying freely through the skies...
Yes! The airplane was invented
through the power of your
dreams

Each of you
is a born poet.

Spreading wide the wings
of imagination
toward distant hills
under a rainbow's arch,
you wonder:
"What are the cities like
beyond the horizon?"
"What kind of people
might be living there?"

Looking up at an endless
night sky you ask yourself:
"What shapes would form
if I drew lines between each
of those sparkling gem-like
stars?"

Spinning a cloth of thrilling tales
across the eternal reaches
of space and time,
you prove again
that you are all indeed
true poets.

Gazing at yourself
in a mirror,
you secretly ponder
the mystery of being--
In your heart
you are always aware
of this one great problem,
which has troubled
the world's deepest,
most famous thinkers.

More than anyone
you are true philosophers,
a shining crystal
held deeply in your heart.

The perfect clearness
of your gaze
surprises adults,
reminds them
who they really are.

The question in
your innocent eyes
will certainly shake
the world from its sleep.

And each of you
is a citizen of the world
bringing people together.

Neither the color
of a person's skin
nor the color of their eyes,
nor their nationality
makes any difference to you.

The one who's good at baseball
and the one with a disability
support and help one another,
smile at each other
here in the world of children.

A lively, smiling face--
this is the passport
of a global citizen
making friends with people
everywhere.
Each of you was born
into this world
carrying such a passport.

Let us create a world,
a time, a century
in which simply being human
is reason enough
to greet each other
with a smile.

Each of you
will play a leading role
in the 21st century.
The mountain peaks of courage
soar high within your heart!
A rainbow of hope
shines bright within you!
Within each of us,
yes, within our lives
is an infinite treasure
waiting to be unlocked!

Rise up!
Go forward!
So that you may grasp
the limitless treasures of the
heart.
So that you may become
yourself,
who you most truly are.

The writer Henry David Thoreau
called out--
Explore you own life!
If you advance confidently
in the direction of your dreams,
if you work to live the life
you have imagined,
you will find greater success
than you had ever hoped for--

The earth and skies
are your friends,
they are on your side.
So long as the sun
is shining up above
and the earth is supporting us
from below,
we have absolutely nothing
at all to fear.

In the beautiful Makiguchi
Garden
made by your own hands
are the trees you planted
in honor of Tsunesaburo
Makiguchi
and myself.

Never giving up
no matter what others did to
him, Mr. Makiguchi always worked
so that people could enjoy
peace and happiness.
Indeed he should be called
one of the great men of our
times.
Please know that
his care and concern
are with you always.

With a heart filled with joy
I salute and respect you.
Your bright faces are
lit with the hopes and smiles
of the 21st century.

Your growth is
the hope of all humanity,
all people everywhere.
And for that reason
I will do everything I can
to protect and support you.

Let us go forward together
toward the rainbow of peace
shining above the mountains
of the new century.

Hand in hand
let us walk,
singing with voices
bright and clear
the songs of hope resounding!

World Tribune, Nov 2, 2001