07/14/2022
The OIST Foundation is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, and the people of Japan.
Prime Minister Abe, called “one of the most consequential leaders in Japan’s post-war history,” was committed to enhancing Japan’s standing in world affairs, business, research and academia. He was committed to innovation and a strong supporter of OIST as an international university since he visited OIST in 2013 and learned about OIST’s important research and its contributions to Okinawa, Japan, and the world. In May of this year at a celebration of OIST’s 10th Anniversary held in Tokyo, Abe made powerful remarks in support of OIST and its mission. He was an inspiration to all in the room.
OIST’s founder, Koji Omi, a close friend and advisor to Abe as prime minister, predeceased Abe by just four months at the age of nearly 90 (see obituary here).
Prime Minister Abe was deeply interested in connecting Japan to the world and supported OIST’s work to connect global science to Japan. Abe was a strong advocate of the U.S.-Japan relationship, where OIST and the OIST Foundation’s role in bridging both countries via science and technology is a way in which Abe’s legacy will live on.
The OIST Foundation expresses our deepest condolences and our appreciation for the strong support Prime Minister Abe provided to OIST.
Sincerely,
The OIST Foundation