Tokyo, 28 March 2026: Tashi Delek, a Tibetan restaurant in Tokyo, hosted an intimate book launch and reading at its premises for Across Many Mountains by Yangzom Brauen. Originally written in English, the book traces the lives of three generations of Tibetan women, grandmother Kunsang, who experienced life in Tibet and the Chinese invasion; mother Sonam, who journeyed into exile in India and Switzerland; and the author herself. Through their stories, it offers a poignant account of Tibet’s history, culture, faith, and enduring hope, alongside the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Chitose Mauer Hayakawa, a Japanese lady resident in Switzerland, translated the book into the Japanese language. She came all the way to Japan with some friends to release and read the book. In her opening remark, she said when she read the book for the first time, she was so moved that she decided to translate it into the Japanese language to let many of her country people know about Tibet and the Tibetans. She said she lives in Switzerland, but she can return to her home country, Japan anytime freely. But she lamented that the three Tibetan women in the book cannot freely go back to their homeland. She said we all need to do our best within our ability to promote peace and justice.

Representative Dr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of the Tibet House Japan was invited to the launch and spoke on the Tibetan issue. He thanked and offered a Tibetan khata, an auspicious scarf, to the author for her interest in Tibet and for translating the book for the Japanese public. He said the book is the story of many Tibetans born and raised in Tibet, forced into exile, and struggling in exile with a hope of returning to Tibet one day. He briefed the audience on the exile administration, the work of the Tibet House Japan, and explained and shared materials on H.H. the Dalai Lama’s four missions.

The author, Yangzom Brauen, and her mother, Kunsang, have sent a video message in which they greeted the audience and thanked Chitose Hayakawa for the translation of the book and for introducing it to the Japanese public.

Mario, who accompanied Hayakawa to Japan, offered several old melodious Italian songs with his guitar during the book reading event. Lobsang and Natsuko of the Tashi Delek restaurant moderated the event.

Here is the trailer of the movie, Mola, a Tibetan tale of love and loss, based on the book, Across Many Mountains.

-Report Filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan