敬愛的扶輪兄弟姐妹們: 我是日本戰後長大的第一代。我想,我的同胞現在自然而然把和平列為最優先的大事。我們看到軍國主義把日本弄成什麼樣,也看到選擇擁抱和平之後的日本在經濟上突飛猛進。 這個決定讓日本能成長並茁壯。這讓好幾代日本兒童得以在安全的環境下長大成人、受教育、改善他們的生活。這從根本改變日本人對其他國家及文化的態度。這讓我們的思想開放,變得更能容忍,以及尋找更廣泛的瞭解。
田中作次
國際扶輪社長
DEAR FELLOW ROTARIANS,
I am part of the first generation to grow up in Japan after a terrible war. I think it is natural that my countrymen now place a great priority on peace. We saw where militarism brought our country, and we also saw the great economic growth that came when our nation made the choice to embrace peace. This was the decision that allowed Japan to grow and thrive. It allowed generations of children to grow up in safety, to become educated, to improve their lives. It fundamentally changed the Japanese attitude toward other countries and cultures. It caused us to open our minds, to become more tolerant, to seek greater understanding.
Sakuji Tanaka
President, Rotary International