“Let us not forget to live with the awareness that we are linked together as human beings on a profound level that transcends national boundaries.” These words shook Toshie to the depths of her being.

Toshie Kin learned of the cruel history the Korean people endured under Japanese annexation when she was in her third year of junior high. In time, that rage became a dislike and even hatred for the Japanese people.

With a warm smile, Shin’ichi said to Toshie Kin: “I have heard about your situation. From the standpoint of our basic humanity, our nationality or ethnicity doesn’t really matter. It’s a very small thing. As a youth, the important thing is to look to the future and strive to contribute to the happiness of others. Just do your best as a human being, in a way that is true to yourself. I’ll be watching over you.”

As a form of encouragement, he presented Toshie with a photograph of one of the bronze statues at the university’s main entrance, writing on the back of it: “Originally, national boundaries did not exist. People created them. Let us not forget to live with the awareness that we are linked together as human beings on a profound level that transcends national boundaries.” These words shook Toshie to the depths of her being.

From that point on, Toshie studied with even greater diligence, and the year she graduated, she became a licensed tax accountant — the first Soka University student to do so.