I had the honor of serving as the Chairperson of the Judging Committee for the 26th JQA International Environmental Children's Drawing Contest. As a painter, I have always been attracted to children's paintings. The submitted artworks conveyed a variety of thoughts about the Earth's environment from the unique perspectives of children. I was once again deeply impressed by their rich imagination and their free and expressive forms.

It is a special experience for children to express their own thoughts about the Earth's environment through paintings. I believe that this experience enables a genuine sense of responsibility to take shape and grow within their hearts. What the children portrayed was inspired by the observations they made in their everyday lives. Their artworks made me realize that they are the first steps toward addressing the urgent environmental problems facing the Earth.

This is a precious and unique opportunity for children in Japan to learn about environmental issues that differ from country to country through paintings by children of the same age. I hope more children can see these artworks.

Developed countries play a very important role in global environmental problems. I hope that children from countries that take the lead in solving these problems will participate actively in this contest. It would be great if children from developing and developed countries could understand each other through environmental problems. In order to realize a sustainable society in which children around the world can live with peace of mind, it is important for us adults to carefully read messages from children.