It is indeed the highest honor for me to be able to visit your great nation as a recipient of the 1974 Ramon Magsaysay Award and to have the occasion to meet everyone who has been involved with this Award.

This Presentation Ceremony marks my first visit to the Philippines, and I find it a source of great joy and satisfaction to be able to experience directly the fresh blend of Eastern and Western culture as well as the abundant native culture that exists here.

I do wish to express to your President and to all your countrymen my sincere sympathy and regret for the damage done by the heavy rains which fell shortly before my departure for the Philippines.

You have my earnest prayers for the quick recovery of all those injured or distressed by that most unfortunate natural disaster.

The late President Magsaysay was an outstanding leader for whom I have long felt great admiration. Attracted by his simple and humble personality, I have a deep respect for the late President's magnificent spirit and unselfish devotion. "Man has the right to live in peace and happiness," this was his belief, and strongly in sympathy with the opinion that such should be the cornerstone of modern government, I have lent all my powers and abilities for service to the people and for the promotion of their welfare.

I was born in Miyazaki Prefecture and, except for several years during my school days, most of my life has been spent there in the region of my birth. I have always been concerned about the people of this area and its every tree and every blade of grass, protecting and nurturing the importance both of the outstanding natural characteristics of Miyazaki Prefecture and of the humanistic quality that develops in such natural surroundings. While promoting harmony between man and nature, I have involved myself in creative regional development.

To have received here today the Ramon Magsaysay Award because of my humble efforts is, for me, deeply stirring, and I can imagine no greater honor. The very fact that the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation should have turned its attention to our prefecture is both very surprising and highly gratifying to everyone in Miyazaki, and to myself most of all. I believe that this Award is being made, not merely to me as an individual, but to all residents of the prefecture in recognition of their wisdom and efforts. Therefore, I humbly accept this Award and the honor it represents on their behalf as well. Please accept in return my sincerest thanks.

Having received the honor and deep emotional stimulus from this Award, I shall continue my activities in regional development and promotion of welfare, working for the creation of a more livable, affluent, and worthwhile society.

In conclusion, let me express my deep gratitude to all those whose preparations and kindness have contributed to my presence here today at these Presentation Ceremonies.