Recently, Mr. Koji Masui, Chairman of the Shizuoka Prefecture Japan-China Friendship Association and former Vice Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture, published an article in the “Window Side” column of the Shizuoka News, the leading newspaper in Shizuoka Prefecture. In the article, he affectionately recalled the decades-long history of friendly exchanges between Zhejiang Shuren University and Shizuoka Prefecture, highlighting the enduring and ever-renewed friendship between the two regions.

Figure 1. Original article Never Forget Those Who Dug the Well published in the Shizuoka News on April 12, 2026

In his article, Mr. Masui recalled that during the early stages of Shuren University’s establishment, Mr. Koichi Inoue, the first Chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association of Shizuoka Prefecture, actively offered support out of his long-standing friendship with Mr. Wang Jiayang, the founder of our university. In 1991, when the new campus of Shuren University was completed, the Friendship Association donated 10 sets of computers. The university then established the “Zhejiang-Shizuoka Friendship Audio-Visual Education Classroom”, which became important teaching equipment for relevant programs.

Figure 2. On October 6, 1991, Mr. Inoue Koichi (left) attended the inauguration ceremony of the “Zhejiang-Shizuoka Friendship Audio-Visual Education Classroom”

At the university’s 40th Anniversary and High-Quality Development Conference, old photographs and videos deeply touched Mr. Masui. He quoted the Chinese saying, “When you drink the water, remember those who dug the well”, praising the university for cherishing the help it received and for its profound cultural foundation.

Figure 3. On November 8, 2024, Mr. Masui Koichi attended and delivered a speech at the university’s 40th Anniversary and High-Quality Development Conference

The exchanges between the two sides have continued to deepen. In 2019, the 4th Zhejiang-Shizuoka Friendship Table Tennis Tournament was held at our university’s gymnasium, and several universities from Shizuoka have signed friendly cooperation agreements with our university. The Japan-China Friendship Association of Shizuoka Prefecture has also donated teaching materials, vehicles, and other supplies to our university, facilitating cooperation between our university and Japanese universities and enterprises.

Figure 4. On August 27, 2019, the 4th Zhejiang-Shizuoka Friendship Table Tennis Tournament was held at our university’s gymnasium

The publication of this article in Shizuoka News serves not only as an affirmation of our university’s achievements but also as a vivid testament to the decades-long friendship between Shuren University and Shizuoka Prefecture. Looking ahead, the university will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with various sectors of Shizuoka, writing new chapters of friendship.