Encouraging words from Chancellor & President Nagai: "Become righteous by viewing the deeds of others."

The congratulatory party started at 5 o'clock in the evening with a speech by Chancellor & President Kazuyuki Nagai. "Congratulations! You have a long life ahead of you. I hope that you will value the expression 'to become righteous by viewing the deeds of others.' It is my sincere wish that you become outstanding government officials," said Chancellor & President Nagai in encouragement of students who have received job offers in government.

Next, a speech was given by Mr. Toshinori Wakimoto, a graduate of Chuo University and Director of the Tax Collection Department at the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau of the National Tax Agency. Mr. Wakimoto offered the following advice to students: "I hope that all of you will think independently and create something new. For that purpose, I want you to value the four qualities of health, the habit of working while considering the future, the ability to persuade people, and the ability to produce well-written documents. If you can master these four qualities, you will be able to make a living as public officials."

A message of encouragement was also given by Mr. Shuji Hisano, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Chuo University. "By acting courageously and performing your duties competently, you have the power to bring vitality to Chuo University and to bring energy to Japan. I hope that you will work simply and courageously for the good of Japan, without deception or compromise."

Afterwards, the successful students were introduced and each student gave a short speech. Next, a toast was given by Mr. Tsunao Imamura, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy in the Faculty of Law. "Today, it is not easy to work in Kasumigaseki. However, it is that very difficulty which makes the work fulfilling. There is great importance in your actions outside of official hours and offices."After the speeches, the party moved to an atmosphere of relaxed social interaction.

Student reporters interviewed each of the 8 students who received job offers in the central government.

Entering the Board of Audit of Japan out of concern for budget deficits

Mr. Hiroki Imayuki (Faculty of Law) has received a job offer from the Board of Audit of Japan. Mr. Imayuki began to concentrate on studying for the Civil Service Examination from the autumn of his 2nd year at university. Although he had also been considering entering law school in order to become a lawyer, he decided to enter government service out of concern for the form of budgets in Japan, a country which holds enormous amounts of debt.

Mr. Imayuki's new work will consist of checking whether funds are being properly managed in order to reduce the ever-increasing budgetary deficit of Japan.

"I always want to perform my work from the perspective of the citizens of Japan," says Mr. Imayuki. The Board of Audit of Japan is a highly independent agency, and a strong sense of justice is required in order to increase government consciousness regarding the reform of financial conditions, as well as to have the government implement such reforms. "That kind of challenge makes the work fulfilling," says Mr. Imayuki with great conviction.

Ms. Mitsuko Ito (Faculty of Law) has received a job offer from the MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication). "I gradually began to study for the examination from the beginning of my 3rd year at university," says Ms. Ito. "However, it wasn't until immediately before the examination, or September of my 3rd year, that I began to study in earnest."

Initially, Ms. Ito had sought to become a lawyer out of a desire to help suffering people. However, she eventually felt that the profession of being a lawyer was limited because she would only be able to resolve problems as an individual. Instead, she wanted to help suffering people through a broader perspective. This realization led her to take the First-Tier Civil Service Examination.

At the MIC, Ms. Ito has the goal of using information and communication services to enhance the convenience and quality of people's lives.

Mr. Yuta Akiyama (Faculty of Law) has received a job offer from the Cabinet Office. "From an early stage, I felt a sense of worthiness in becoming a civil servant who works for the good of citizens," says Mr. Akiyama. He began studying for the examination from October of his 2nd year at university. He studied for 8 hours every day, and even applied himself to study for 13 hours a day immediately before the examination.

"I recognize that an environment has not yet been completed which would allow civil servants to obtain a balance between work time and private time," says Mr. Akiyama. "At the Cabinet Office, I want to work for the realization of a work-life balance for all Japanese citizens, including civil servants."

Mr. Akiyama offers the following advice to younger students: "Give deep consideration to the purpose of your studies and act with passion."

Entering the Ministry of Justice with the desire to maintain a safe society

"I want to engage in a wide variety of work, such as issues pertaining to suffrage for and civil registration of foreigners," says Mr. Kazuhiro Sakamoto (Faculty of Law). Mr. Sakamoto has received a job offer from the Ministry of Justice. He clearly explains his reason for selecting the Ministry of Justice as follows: "The Japan that I love has four distinct seasons, rich nature and a safe society. I think that Japan is the most comfortable country to live in. I want to maintain these positive qualities of Japan."

Mr. Sakamoto says that he wanted to become a police officer when he was younger. "However, upon entering university, I realized that instead of working at the scene of a specific crime, I wanted to solve a variety of problems such as protecting all of Japan from crime."

Mr. Sakamoto mainly studied at a preparatory school when getting ready for the examination. However, although there were some days when he studied for 10 hours, there were other days when he did not study at all. "I studied at my own pace and never took excessive measures," he says.

Mr. Sakamoto offers the following advice to younger students: "Find something which you are the best at and work hard. It is also important not to become too focused on small details."

Mr. Yusuke Hando (Faculty of Law) has also received a job offer from the Ministry of Justice. During the introduction of students who passed the exam, Mr. Hando gave a speech expressing his desire to work to decrease the number of repeat offenders. When listening closer, Mr. Hando also raises the following point: "Currently, repeat offenses compose nearly 60% of total crimes committed." He also explained that "in order to decrease crime, it is important to prevent crimes by repeat offenders. In other words, I believe that the rehabilitation of criminals can effectively reduce crime, and this belief led me to seek employment at the Ministry of Justice."

At the time that he entered university, Mr. Hando had been considering a career as a prosecutor. When entering his 3rd year at university, he struggled to decide between entering law school or seeking a career as a civil servant. Eventually, he decided to focus on becoming a civil servant. Mr. Hando says that he studied alone for the examination. Initially, he worked through a book of sample examination problems in order to determine how much time he needed to spend studying. He began studying earnestly only 2 or 3 months before the examination, choosing to prepare through short-term intensive study.

Mr. Hando expressed his hopes for when he begins employment at the ministry. "Initially, I intend to begin my work by inspecting actual correctional facilities in order to identify points requiring reform. At the ministry, I hope to revise problem areas and contribute to the reduction of crime."

Ms. Hiromi Goto (Graduate School of Letters) also received a job offer from the Ministry of Justice and will work in the rehabilitation of criminals. She says that she will work at the Correction Bureau in an effort to reduce juvenile crime.

During her time as an undergraduate student, Ms. Goto majored in education and studied educational administration. She then entered graduate school in order to study the subject in greater detail. However, she decided not to pursue a career path in research, instead focusing on employment at a general corporation. Unfortunately, perhaps due to economic conditions, her search for employment did not proceed smoothly. In December, she decided to seek a career in educational administration and began to study for becoming a civil servant.

"I studied at least 6 hours every day, dividing my study time into two intensive 3 hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening," says Ms. Goto. She did not join a preparatory school, instead choosing to study independently. Ms. Goto gave the following message to younger students: "There are many students within the Faculty of Letters who take the Second-Tier Civil Service Examination. However, there are also many students who give up on trying the First-Tier Examination, perhaps because the hurdles are high. It is possible to pass the examination even if you have yet to study law."

Study in the Administration Research Group and enter the National Tax Agency

"From the perspective of taxes, I want to create solutions for the various problems which occur in society," says Mr. Taisuke Osanai (Faculty of Law), who has received a job offer from the National Tax Agency. "Within the globalization of economic transactions, I want to improve the quality of citizen's lives through the appropriate application of taxation rights," says Mr. Osanai when speaking of his goals.

"I selected the Faculty of Law after deciding upon my future career," states Mr. Osanai. Soon after entering university, he joined the Administration Research Groups and began his studies. "When I reached my 3rd year at university, I was really tired of studying. At that time, I was able to relieve my stress by talking with friends," he reflects.

Mr. Shigeto Kato (Graduate School of Public Policy) has received a job offer from the MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). Mr. Kato decided to pursue a career as a civil servant after studying urban development during his 3rd year at university under the instruction of Professor Sukehiro Hosono. "Another factor in my decision was the regional decline that I witnessed every time that I returned to my family home in Akita Prefecture," he says.

Mr. Kato speaks passionately about the form of public-works projects. "In the future, I hope to select only projects that are truly necessary." He also had the following words of encouragement for younger students: "Without a doubt, it's a difficult examination. However, if you find a career as a civil servant appealing, then you should make your best effort to take on the challenge."

After a period of pleasant social interaction, Mr. Akiyama gave a speech as a representative of the students who passed the exam. "I would like to express my gratitude to Chuo University for creating an environment that enables serious and intensive study; to our instructors who taught us to consider matters using a broad perspective; and to university graduates who provided instruction in interview methods. I believe that from this day forward is very important. Through my work, I hope to repay my debts to everyone who has supported me."

Finally, the congratulatory party was closed with a message of encouragement from Mr. Motohiro Hashimoto, Dean of the Faculty of Law. "You are all the pride of Chuo University. I hope that you will refine your appeal as human beings, and that you will strive to distinguish yourself through your work without relying on networks such as academic cliques."

(Student Reporters: Mako Niibe (4th year student in the Faculty of Letters), Yuki Iketani (3rd year student in the Faculty of Commerce), Shigeki Mochizuki (2nd year student in the Faculty of Letters))