Ah—just to gaze at the miraculous wonder of the Okinawan sea and sky!
These are an irresistible draw to many people, and I am convinced that they represent an outstanding world-class tourist attraction in which Japan can take great pride. I for one, as if possessed by these wonders, have in the course of my work been totally captivated by the region of Okinawa and its people ever since I was a young man.

I am truly blessed to have been able to establish so many wonderful ties—both official and personal—with the Okinawan people, and to have been able to engage in such unforgettable exchanges with them.
Through these experiences I developed a strong desire to put together a project—in Okinawa and together with the Okinawan people—that would make the most of the wonders of Okinawa and would publicize them, both to the rest of Japan and to the wider world. However, I did not want it to be solely a work-related experiment, and even if it started small I wanted it to be something that could turn into a venue for sharing and interchange that would benefit many over a long period of time. I harbored this extravagant dream for a long time.

I received cooperation, understanding, and advice from many people, and one suggestion that emerged—an Okinawa international movie festival—was just the kind of project that matched my dream.

The fact that we have been able to bring to fruition a movie and video festival specializing in comedy productions—an experiment that we had never attempted before—is due to the huge support that we have received from our Friendship Partners, domestic and overseas movie distribution companies, broadcasting companies, the media, the people of Chatan and Okinawa, and those who participated as volunteers.

With all the screenings selling out, ceaseless laughter from the audiences at the specially constructed beach stages, and an abundance of smiling faces filling the venues, we were able to provide a joyous four-day interlude.

I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to all involved for their cooperation.

Since “Laugh and Peace,” the theme of this festival, represents a common notion that is sought after throughout the world, I would like this movie festival in Okinawa to become a venue for spreading laughter and happiness to the entire world, and to become a forum for laughter and comedic talent from all around the world.

In collaboration with all the participants I would like to build this movie and video festival into an event which anyone involved in video content—as well as movie content—can make use of for presentations, public relations, and interchange, and for it to become a venue where new talent and content can be unearthed.

I would also like all who attend the festival—including of course the local Okinawan people—to enjoy a blissful interlude.

In order to make these ambitions a reality, we are proceeding steadily with our preparations, with a view to offering even higher standards of hospitality and infrastructure on the occasion of this second edition of this festival. Please come and visit the Okinawa International Movie Festival

I sincerely hope that you will be able to attend.