Mission Statement of the English-Speaking Union of Japan

　With the new millennium rapidly approaching and the world growing smaller and smaller, Japan must strengthen her links with the world in all fields. Moreover, the number of occasions and the necessity to promote mutual understanding with people of other nationalities face-to-face, at conferences, or via the computer screen is expected to increase by leaps and bounds. The language which we will have to be able to use, and which has in effect become the common international language, is English. Our ability to retain our good standing in the world will depend on our ability to forge friendships and deepen mutual understanding with the peoples of the world through the English language.
　
　The English-Speaking Union of Japan is an independent, non-profit, non-political organization established for the principal purpose of promoting international mutual understanding and friendship among nations through the use of the English language. At the same time, we wish to address two issues particular to Japan at the present time: first, the need to convey the opinions of the Japanese people to the rest of the world, and second, the danger that the beauty of the Japanese language will be lost through the unnecessary and indiscriminate introduction of English into the language.
　
　The English-Speaking Union has been in existence for eighty years, providing a forum for activities among over forty countries of the world, including not only countries whose mother tongue is English, such as Britain and the United States, but also major non-English-speaking countries. While maintaining close links with this body, we will be able to promote cultural exchanges with these countries.
　
　For the time being, the English-Speaking Union of Japan aims to undertake the following specific activities:
　
(1) host English-language discussions, debates, lecture meetings, seminars, etc., mainly for students
(2) plan cultural exchanges through the medium of the English language with the young people of the world,    starting with our Asian and     Pacific neighbors
(3) convey information about Japan to the rest of the world through English
(4) endeavor to enlighten the Japanese people on the undesirability of introducing English unnecessarily and indiscriminately into their own language
　
　It is our dream in founding and guiding this organization to actively encourage communication, discussion and debate in English between the students and young people of Japan and those of other countries and thus be able to deepen friendship and goodwill among them. By being able to express their opinions eloquently and fluently, the Japanese with their own national culture can play a positive role in the world.
　
　The English-Speaking Union of Japan is open for membership to all persons of every nationality who adhere to these objectives. We welcome your positive support and suggestions.