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On June 30, Mayor Masanori Okuzuka of Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, gave a lecture in the class "Modern Japan and Fukuzawa Yukichi I," a course established by the Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies. This course, which is offered at Hiyoshi Campus, allows students to learn from multiple perspectives how Fukuzawa Yukichi and Keio University played pivotal roles in the modernization of Japan by examining Fukuzawa's life and the history of the university.

The lecture was conducted in five parts under the theme "Immortal Fukuzawa and the Village of Learning, Nakatsu.” The five parts are titled “Introduction of Nakatsu City," "Fukuzawa, Keio, and Nakatsu City," "The Immortal Fukuzawa Project," "The Fukuzawa Yukichi I Envisage," and "Creating a Village of Learning" respectively.

Mayor Okuzuka elaborated on a number of initiatives related to Fukuzawa Yukichi, including the construction of the school gate for Nakatsu City School (now Nanbu Elementary School) in 1871, a commemorative memorial service and lecture held on the anniversary of his passing, a speech contest for high school students nationwide held in commemoration of Fukuzawa Yukichi, a "Junior Yukichi" test for Nakatsu City junior high school students, and a Yukichi Karuta (card game) tournament for elementary school students, among other programs. He also spoke about the "Immortal Fukuzawa Project," which aims to pass on to future generations the achievements of Fukuzawa Yukichi, whose image had adorned the 10,000 yen note for the longest period of 40 years, as well as Fukuzawa's deep connection with Nakatsu, where he spent his formative years, from one and a half to nineteen years of age. He then went on to highlight Nakatsu's attractions as a tourist destination, such as a walking route utilizing old maps, the issuance of commemorative postage stamps, and a branded truck featuring a portrait of Fukuzawa Yukichi.

"I would like to invite all students to visit and explore Nakatsu City," Mayor Okuzuka said in a warm message to students. "We recommend that you decide on a theme for your fieldwork and survey environments rich in nature, and visit places associated with Fukuzawa Yukichi. Our city welcomes you always."

During the Q&A session, students posed a multitude of questions, such as "How are kominka (old Japanese-styled houses) and akiya (vacant houses) being utilized in your city?” “Do you have other respected figures that you look up to besides Fukuzawa Yukichi?" "Since becoming mayor, what type of books do you often read and what are your favorite books?" The session presented an invaluable opportunity for Keio students to engage with Mayor Okuzuka directly.

As of September 2024, Nakatsu City enacted the "Promoting the Village of Learning, Nakatsu" Declaration Ordinance. This initiative aims to promote Nakatsu as a learning village, providing a conducive place for citizens where learning can be done by anyone, anytime, and anywhere. This ordinance embodies the philosophy that "all people have an equal right to learn," as advocated by Fukuzawa Yukichi in his book, Gakumon no Susume (An Encouragement of Learning). Nakatsu City and Keio University will continue to strengthen joint collaboration in the areas of culture, education, and academics.

After the lecture, Mayor Okuzuka visited the Hiyoshidai Underground Bunker on Hiyoshi Campus, a remnant from the war, accompanied by Keio officials. This bunker was used as the headquarters of the former Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Pacific War. It stands as an invaluable remnant from the war that carries the memory of the wartime era to the present. In the summer of 2025, which marks the 80th anniversary after the end of the Pacific War, the Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies is holding a special exhibition titled "Remains of a Family: The Ueharas and the Age of War" to present a record of Japan's modernization and the Pacific War through the lens of the Uehara family.