成人式を迎える中、被災地に思いを馳せて
本日は成人式の日。東京でも寒い中、新たな一歩を踏み出す門出の瞬間を見守りました。しかし、この特別な日に心に刻むべきことがあります。
被災地の皆さんの多くが未だに困難な状況に立ち向かっていること、支援している方々が困難な中で支援を続けていること、そして今もなお安否がわからない方々がいることを思い起こし、冒頭の黙祷から始めました。成人式が中止との発表を受けた被災地の方々に心からの思いを馳せます。
多くの自治体が避難所に入り、地元を良く知る役所の皆さんが本来の職に就けるように各県の連携が素晴らしいものでした。余震が続く中、被災を経験した知事の思いが強く感じ、一日も早い復興を心より願っています。
今日の成人式だからこそ、このプロジェクトの根源の思いをお伝えしたいと思いました。このプロジェクトは、「命」を大切にすることを伝えていきたいと考えています。
私は東日本大震災がきっかけで医療者になりました。その流れで出会った乳児院の子どもたちから、社会で子どもたちを擁護し、多世代で関わるコミュニティがこれからの時代に大切だと考えています。生きづらさを感じる若者も多くいる現状。人と関わりながら、命が守られる、そんな関わりを作りたいと考えています。
本日の成人式では、渋谷区の長谷部区長の挨拶が心に残りました。変化の時代に大事なことは、時に迷い悩みながらも、自分を信じ、夢や目標に向かって「挑戦」を続けること。誰もが壁にぶつかり、その壁を乗り越える気概を持ち、自分の信じる道を焦らず、前向きに一歩ずつ歩んで欲しいと挨拶されました。
成人の日を迎えた皆さん、おめでとうございます。小さな頃の面影を薄っすらと残しつつ、素敵な大人に変身していく様子は、とても微笑ましい一日でした。優しさと愛に包まれ、明るい未来への一歩を踏み出してください。どんな瞬間も大切に、幸せな大人としての人生を歩んでいってください。お祝い申し上げます！
As we celebrate Coming of Age Day, our thoughts go out to the disaster-stricken areas.
Today is Coming of Age Day. Despite the cold weather in Tokyo, I witnessed a momentous step into a new chapter. However, on this special day, there are important things we should keep in our hearts.
We must remember that many people in disaster-affected areas are still facing difficult circumstances. There are those who continue to provide support in challenging conditions, and others whose whereabouts remain unknown. I began our ceremony today with a moment of silence to honor those in disaster-affected areas who were informed of the cancellation of their Coming of Age Day celebrations.
Many local governments have established evacuation centers, and officials who know their communities well have been coordinating efforts across regions. As aftershocks continue, the determination of governors who have experienced disasters resonates strongly, and we earnestly wish for a speedy recovery.
On this day of Coming of Age, I felt compelled to share the core values of our project. This project is dedicated to promoting the importance of "life."
My journey toward becoming a medical professional was sparked by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through my experiences, I came into contact with children in childcare facilities. I strongly believe that building communities where people of all generations can come together to advocate for and support children is crucial in today's world. The challenges that many young people face, their struggles to fit in, and their desire for connection underline the importance of creating meaningful relationships while cherishing the value of life.
During today's Coming of Age ceremony, the speech by Hasebe, the mayor of Shibuya Ward, left a deep impression on me. In this ever-changing era, he stressed the significance of self-belief, unwavering commitment to dreams and goals, and the courage to face challenges, even when confronted with obstacles. He encouraged everyone to overcome these barriers with determination, to move forward at their own pace, and to take each step with a positive attitude.
To all of you who have come of age, congratulations! It was heartwarming to see how you've transformed into remarkable adults while still retaining traces of your childhood. Wrapped in kindness and love, take your first step into a bright future. Cherish every moment and embrace your life as happy adults. Congratulations!