TOKYO: In line with the Kashag’s declaration of 2013 as a year of ‘Solidarity with Tibet Campaign’, the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East-Asia organised a gathering of Tibetans in Japan along with their Japanese supporters at Yamashita Koen on 10 March. The day marks the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day against China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet.
Addressing the gathering, Health Kalon Dr. Tsering Wangchuk spoke on the urgent situation inside Tibet and appealed to the international community, including Japanese Government and people, for their attention and necessary support.
The Japanese translation of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay’s statement was read out to the gathering. Following this, the Japanese supporters from various walks of life and local Tibetans led a peaceful demonstration in the middle of Shibuya and Aoyama, one of the most crowded area in the capital city of Tokyo, within the course permitted and guided by Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers on duty.
Ealier on his arrival in Japan on 9 March, the Kalon was received by Representative Lhakpa Tshoko and Acting Secretary Tashi Topgyal of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East-Asia, at the Narita airport. Dr. Wangchuk was given a warm welcome reception by Japanese supporters and Tibetan community on that day. The reception was organised by Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Grand Palace Hotel.
He also called on Dr. Kiyohiro Maruki, President of the Saitama Medical Institute, and visited various sections of the institution in Moroyama city. A special luncheon meeting was also arranged with Tibetan medical doctors and nurses working in and around the institution. “Health Kalon’s visit was very meaningful and opens new opportunities for future engagements,” Representative Lhakpa Tshoko said.
On 12 March, Dr. Wangchuk was invited to Osaka city by Tibet Support Group known was Fire Under the Snow, for informal discussion with 30 some young members of Osaka Prefectural Assembly. He later gave a public talk at International Center attended by more than 200 young business leaders and others from various walks of life. He gave a detailed account of the urgent situation inside Tibet with special emphasis on 107 self-immolation cases.
He was also interviewed by several political journals, newspapers, TV and online news channels.
54th Tibetan National Uprising Day Commemorated in Seoul
Tibet House Korea under the directorship of Geshe Tenzin Namkha and Korean Supporters organised the gathering at Buddhist History and Cultural Memory Hall of Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism in Seoul. It was attended by little over 200 Korean Supporters from various walks of life including mini Tibetan community in Korea. Geshe Tenzin Namkha addressed the audience on the urgent situation inside Tibet.
A special video message by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay of Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, India, was shown to the Korean audience.
Some of Korean Supporters held demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy by holding photos of Tibetan self-immolators inside Tibet, and placards and banners denouncing China’s rule and unimaginable political repression being imposed on the innocent Tibetans.
