Dr. Shigeyoshi MATSUMAE who founded the Matsumae International Foundation stated as follows;

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” is a phrase from the Old Testament and I strongly feel that we have to cast our bread upon the waters for our descendants in the generations to come. This phrase includes all of my reasons why I am about found the Matsumae International Foundation (The June, 1979 issue of Bosei published by Tokai Educational Institution)

The piece of bread which Dr. Shigeyoshi MATSUMAE casted upon the waters is clearly setting up its profile in the whirls of muddy streams. During about 40 years in the past, since 1979 when the MIF was founded, the total number of fellows we have hosted reached about 850 from 120 countries/resions. I now like to take this opportunity to express my thankfulness to those who sympathize the MIF’s philosophy, especially the host professors as well as the supporters with great enthusiasm.

By the way, what does the bread indicate in the phrase? I presume that it means the education wishing for peace and friendship. It also can be interpreted as a will for the peace trying to expand the circle of “peoples” through the learning which is universally common. I think that it is nothing other than Dr. Shigeyoshi MATSUMAE’s indomitable determination which strongly promoted academic, cultural and athletic exchanges based upon his strong belief that the international exchange activities by the private sectors produce the true friendship and goodwill.

The MIF aims to develop the future by contributing to the global friendship and goodwill through our enterprise which leaves “peoples” connecting Japan with the rest of the world. This is extremely important in the era of highly developed science and technologies, especially in these days of extremely tensed world affairs. Our activities are nothing fancy but we are happy to continue those activities based upon the enthusiasm from our supporters. I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your continuing support.

The MIF’s office “Keyaki House” located at Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo is a Japanese style building which refurbished the former residence of the late Prof. Atsuuji ASHIKAGA who may have stared our history both before and after the World War II. This office now creates an atmosphere which produces serenity and the Japanesque essence. The garden is so beautiful that the four seasons in the Musashino field move your heart. The inside of our office is full of artistic souvenirs which our fellows brought all the ways from their home countries. Our office is always open waiting for you.