Message from Ambassador
2025/12/10
Ms. Wanjira Mathai and the whole family of Professor Wangari Maathai, and representatives of the Maathai Foundation,
Mr. Satoshi Takagi of Mainichi Newspaper,
My fellow Ambassadors, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Very good evening.
It is a profound honor to stand before you today as we mark a moment of great historical and moral significance—the 20th anniversary of Professor Wangari Maathai’s Nobel Peace Prize. Two decades have passed since the Nobel Committee recognized her extraordinary courage, her unwavering integrity, and her visionary understanding of the inseparable bond between human dignity, environmental stewardship, and lasting peace.
Today, we gather not only to commemorate that moment, but also to reflect on the meaning of her legacy in a world still grappling with environmental degradation, social injustice, and political uncertainty. As we reflect, we are reminded that Professor Maathai’s message—rooted in the interconnectedness of all life—remains as urgent now as it was twenty years ago.
Today, I would like to highlight one particularly dimension of her life’s work: her deep and enduring connection with Japan.
When Professor Maathai first visited Japan, she was immediately captivated by the cultural ethos she encountered—a way of life shaped by respect, restraint, harmony, and profound mindfulness of the natural world. She admired the Japanese appreciation for beauty not only in pristine landscapes but also in ordinary mundane moments of daily life.
Yet the experience that touched her most was her discovery of a single Japanese word: “MOTTAINAI.”
In this simple term, Professor Maathai found a philosophy that aligned seamlessly with her environmental and humanitarian convictions. “MOTTAINAI” expresses regret over waste, but also gratitude for what we have and reverence for the Earth that sustains us. It encapsulates three timeless virtues—respect, responsibility, and restraint. “MOTTAINAI” is a uniquely Japanese concept that means not wasting precious things—ranging from food and water to time and even money. Cherish and save things, not waste them.
Professor Maathai often remarked that “MOTTAINAI” gave her the vocabulary she needed to communicate her life’s work to the world. And with characteristic determination, she set out to share this wisdom globally.
In collaboration with the Mainichi Shimbun, which is one of Japan’s leading newspapers and represented by Mr. Takagi this evening, she launched the ‘MOTTAINAI Campaign.’ Through a wide range of initiatives, including grassroots activities, she elevated this uniquely Japanese concept into a universal appeal for sustainable living. At international conferences addressing environmental protection and sustainable development, she emphatically conveyed to participants the significance of this spirit.
Her message resonated strongly because it came not from theory but from authenticity—from decades of work defending the forests, rivers, communities, and people of Kenya.
Japan responded with generosity, humility, and sincerity. Citizens, students, schools, NGOs, corporations, and policymakers were mobilized to support the Green Belt Movement. Environmental education programs were launched. Tree-planting initiatives were organized. Partnerships were formed between Japanese and Kenyan institutions, creating lasting bonds rooted in shared purpose.
Through these exchanges, the spirit of “MOTTAINAI” became a living bridge—linking Africa and Asia, tradition and innovation, people and planet.
Professor Maathai valued this bridge deeply. She admired the care with which Japanese communities govern their natural resources, the way forests are managed through centuries-old practices, the reverence shown toward water, and the commitment to cleanliness and public responsibility that permeates the Japanese society. She saw these values not as cultural curiosities, but as models for global environmental stewardship.
The partnership between Japan and Kenya continues to embody this vision. Together, our nations collaborate on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, water resource management, renewable energy, women’s leadership, and education. These initiatives are not abstract diplomatic gestures—they are tangible expressions of Professor Maathai’s legacy. They honor her belief that solutions must be rooted in communities, informed by science, driven by compassion, and guided by respect for all forms of life.
Japan had the honor of welcoming her on several important occasions. During the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, she actively promoted the “MOTTAINAI” philosophy, inspiring countless visitors to rethink their relationship with nature.
Later, at TICAD IV in Yokohama, she contributed her insights to discussions on sustainable development in Africa, linking environmental protection with human security, gender equality, and community empowerment.
In recognition of these extraordinary contributions, the Government of Japan awarded Professor Maathai “Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun” - one of the country’s highest honors, presented to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in promoting international relations and advancing global well-being. This decoration symbolizes Japan’s deep appreciation for her lifelong commitment to protecting the planet and uplifting communities worldwide.
Last Sunday, I visited the Sanctuary of Professor Maathai, guided by Wanjira, in Nyeri. It is Professor Maathai’s birthplace and she spent her childhood there, and, later in her adulthood, she spent her times regularly with her family and relatives. The simple mud-brick houses are still there, as in her time, countless trees planted by her and even by her mother are still there, as in her time. Absolute tranquility and peace prevails at the Sanctuary. For the family members, this is the place to recall millions of fond memories of the time they spent with Professor Maathai, together with her love of trees and the nature, her relentless pursuit for a simple life, her respect for the spiritual unity of the people, and her philosophy. The ultimate embodiment of her “MOTTAINAI” philosophy will live there long, by being protected and cherished by the family members.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we honor the 20th anniversary of her Nobel Prize, her legacy calls us to action. It challenges us to examine the choices we make every day—the energy we consume, the resources we use, and the values we teach our children. Recall your child days. You must have a couple of memories in which your parents, grandparents or aunties chastised you for handling things roughly. Cherish and save things, not waste them. That was your MOTTAINAI moment. Let’s rekindle in your heart the lesson your elders taught you: treat precious things with respect, and let it guide your action. That will be our new beginning. Everyone of us has our MOTTAINAI value in our heart, handed over from previous generations. Sustainable change aways begins with individuals, expands through communities, and gains strength through nations acting with unity and purpose.
Let us pledge to nurture not only the trees we plant, but the hope they represent.
Let us continue building bridges—between nations, between generations, and between humanity and the natural world.
And let us carry forward Professor Maathai’s torch light so that, future generations may look back on this moment as one in which we strengthened our resolve to do the right thing.
Ladies and gentlemen,
May her courage inspire our action, may her wisdom guide our decisions, and may her spirit remind us that each of us has the power—and the responsibility—to create a more peaceful, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Thank you very much.
Mr. Satoshi Takagi of Mainichi Newspaper,
My fellow Ambassadors, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Very good evening.
It is a profound honor to stand before you today as we mark a moment of great historical and moral significance—the 20th anniversary of Professor Wangari Maathai’s Nobel Peace Prize. Two decades have passed since the Nobel Committee recognized her extraordinary courage, her unwavering integrity, and her visionary understanding of the inseparable bond between human dignity, environmental stewardship, and lasting peace.
Today, we gather not only to commemorate that moment, but also to reflect on the meaning of her legacy in a world still grappling with environmental degradation, social injustice, and political uncertainty. As we reflect, we are reminded that Professor Maathai’s message—rooted in the interconnectedness of all life—remains as urgent now as it was twenty years ago.
Today, I would like to highlight one particularly dimension of her life’s work: her deep and enduring connection with Japan.
When Professor Maathai first visited Japan, she was immediately captivated by the cultural ethos she encountered—a way of life shaped by respect, restraint, harmony, and profound mindfulness of the natural world. She admired the Japanese appreciation for beauty not only in pristine landscapes but also in ordinary mundane moments of daily life.
Yet the experience that touched her most was her discovery of a single Japanese word: “MOTTAINAI.”
In this simple term, Professor Maathai found a philosophy that aligned seamlessly with her environmental and humanitarian convictions. “MOTTAINAI” expresses regret over waste, but also gratitude for what we have and reverence for the Earth that sustains us. It encapsulates three timeless virtues—respect, responsibility, and restraint. “MOTTAINAI” is a uniquely Japanese concept that means not wasting precious things—ranging from food and water to time and even money. Cherish and save things, not waste them.
Professor Maathai often remarked that “MOTTAINAI” gave her the vocabulary she needed to communicate her life’s work to the world. And with characteristic determination, she set out to share this wisdom globally.
In collaboration with the Mainichi Shimbun, which is one of Japan’s leading newspapers and represented by Mr. Takagi this evening, she launched the ‘MOTTAINAI Campaign.’ Through a wide range of initiatives, including grassroots activities, she elevated this uniquely Japanese concept into a universal appeal for sustainable living. At international conferences addressing environmental protection and sustainable development, she emphatically conveyed to participants the significance of this spirit.
Her message resonated strongly because it came not from theory but from authenticity—from decades of work defending the forests, rivers, communities, and people of Kenya.
Japan responded with generosity, humility, and sincerity. Citizens, students, schools, NGOs, corporations, and policymakers were mobilized to support the Green Belt Movement. Environmental education programs were launched. Tree-planting initiatives were organized. Partnerships were formed between Japanese and Kenyan institutions, creating lasting bonds rooted in shared purpose.
Through these exchanges, the spirit of “MOTTAINAI” became a living bridge—linking Africa and Asia, tradition and innovation, people and planet.
Professor Maathai valued this bridge deeply. She admired the care with which Japanese communities govern their natural resources, the way forests are managed through centuries-old practices, the reverence shown toward water, and the commitment to cleanliness and public responsibility that permeates the Japanese society. She saw these values not as cultural curiosities, but as models for global environmental stewardship.
The partnership between Japan and Kenya continues to embody this vision. Together, our nations collaborate on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, water resource management, renewable energy, women’s leadership, and education. These initiatives are not abstract diplomatic gestures—they are tangible expressions of Professor Maathai’s legacy. They honor her belief that solutions must be rooted in communities, informed by science, driven by compassion, and guided by respect for all forms of life.
Japan had the honor of welcoming her on several important occasions. During the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, she actively promoted the “MOTTAINAI” philosophy, inspiring countless visitors to rethink their relationship with nature.
Later, at TICAD IV in Yokohama, she contributed her insights to discussions on sustainable development in Africa, linking environmental protection with human security, gender equality, and community empowerment.
In recognition of these extraordinary contributions, the Government of Japan awarded Professor Maathai “Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun” - one of the country’s highest honors, presented to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in promoting international relations and advancing global well-being. This decoration symbolizes Japan’s deep appreciation for her lifelong commitment to protecting the planet and uplifting communities worldwide.
Last Sunday, I visited the Sanctuary of Professor Maathai, guided by Wanjira, in Nyeri. It is Professor Maathai’s birthplace and she spent her childhood there, and, later in her adulthood, she spent her times regularly with her family and relatives. The simple mud-brick houses are still there, as in her time, countless trees planted by her and even by her mother are still there, as in her time. Absolute tranquility and peace prevails at the Sanctuary. For the family members, this is the place to recall millions of fond memories of the time they spent with Professor Maathai, together with her love of trees and the nature, her relentless pursuit for a simple life, her respect for the spiritual unity of the people, and her philosophy. The ultimate embodiment of her “MOTTAINAI” philosophy will live there long, by being protected and cherished by the family members.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we honor the 20th anniversary of her Nobel Prize, her legacy calls us to action. It challenges us to examine the choices we make every day—the energy we consume, the resources we use, and the values we teach our children. Recall your child days. You must have a couple of memories in which your parents, grandparents or aunties chastised you for handling things roughly. Cherish and save things, not waste them. That was your MOTTAINAI moment. Let’s rekindle in your heart the lesson your elders taught you: treat precious things with respect, and let it guide your action. That will be our new beginning. Everyone of us has our MOTTAINAI value in our heart, handed over from previous generations. Sustainable change aways begins with individuals, expands through communities, and gains strength through nations acting with unity and purpose.
Let us pledge to nurture not only the trees we plant, but the hope they represent.
Let us continue building bridges—between nations, between generations, and between humanity and the natural world.
And let us carry forward Professor Maathai’s torch light so that, future generations may look back on this moment as one in which we strengthened our resolve to do the right thing.
Ladies and gentlemen,
May her courage inspire our action, may her wisdom guide our decisions, and may her spirit remind us that each of us has the power—and the responsibility—to create a more peaceful, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Thank you very much.
10th December, 2025
MATSUURA Hiroshi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan
MATSUURA Hiroshi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan