Banen Waraku
- Countless Connections, Shared Joy -
With gratitude for every encounter and relationship, I will strive to make this a year filled with fellowship, harmony, and shared smiles.

The Rotary Club of Kyoto South has long been recognized as one of the largest Rotary clubs in Japan, a distinction of which we are immensely proud. This achievement is the result of the dedication of our predecessors and the enduring legacy they have built over generations. It is this legacy that gives true meaning to the phrase often heard from new members: “a club of tradition and prestige.” At the same time, however, it seems that in recent years our club has not always been regarded with the same admiration as before. In response to this challenge, under the leadership of the Immediate Past President Kinoshita, the Membership Selection Committee was strengthened to ensure even higher standards in welcoming new members. In addition, a Risk Management Committee was established to address the increasingly diverse ethical expectations of society and to reinforce our commitment to self-discipline. I believe these reforms mark the first step toward restoring the Rotary Club of Kyoto South as a club that others aspire to join, and I intend to carry this vision forward during this year.

Rotary’s transformation model consists of five stages: Assessment, Planning, Building, Implementation, and Sustainability. As we move forward, we will carefully balance the preservation of our traditions with the need for change, embracing the spirit of “Fueki Ryūkō”—preserving core values while adapting to change.

To sustain one of our greatest strengths of our large membership, we must focus on both membership growth and member retention. These two objectives work hand in hand and reinforce one another. Restoring our reputation as an admired club will naturally contribute to attracting new members. At the same time, fostering fellowship among members is essential to preventing resignations. True fellowship is built not only through the activities of the Fellowship Committee, but also through everyday conversations at weekly meetings and participation in interest groups, where members deepen their mutual understanding. Working together in service projects is also important. During this Rotary year, we will continue to contribute to society through a variety of service projects. We especially encourage newer members to participate actively, as a deeper understanding of Rotary and meaningful engagement within the club will strengthen their connection to our organization and support long-term membership.