Tokyo: The Tibet Support Groups in Japan held its annual meeting online on 29 March. Save Tibet Network, Tibet House Japan, and the Tibetan Community in Japan jointly organised the meeting.

Makino Seishu, Chairman of the Save Tibet Network, welcomed the participants and briefed them on his long association with the Tibet issue, his visits to Dharamala, and meetings with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He urged the participants to continue supporting the Tibetan movement during this difficult period of Tibetan history. He said the democratisation of China is an important factor in resolving many issues related to Chinese aggression in Asia and around the world.

Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Karma Choeying, thanked the Support Group members for their interest and support for the Tibet issue. He thanked Makino Seishu for his long association with the Tibetan struggle. While thanking former Chairman Shimomura Hakubun and Secretary Ishikawa and Nagao Takashi, he welcomed the new Chairman and Secretary General of the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, Madam Yamatani Eriko and Yamada Hiroshi. Hasegawa Naoko of the Tibet House Japan translated the speech into Japanese.

Lawmaker Yamada Hiroshi, incumbent Secretary of the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, greeted the participants and discussed the need to tackle the human rights violations taking place in China and the occupied territories of Tibet, Southern Mongolia, and East Turkistan. He expressed his pleasure to meet all the TSG members and promised to work with them to promote and fight for the Tibetan cause and world peace, and stability.

Representative of the Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia, Dr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, thanked all the participants and briefed them on the current Chinese wicked policy to completely erase Tibetan identity by denying Tibetan children their rights to study the Tibetan language, culture, and religion. He explained the Chinese heinous motive behind the colonial boarding schools and their claim and interference in the selection of high Tibetan reincarnate Lamas. He said Tibet is not an isolated issue; it is very much a part of the international movement for peace, democracy, and justice. As a part of the events to celebrate the 90th birthday of H.H. the Dalai Lama, he revealed that around 90 Sakura trees will be planted in the premises of Temples and Jinjas throughout Japan. He talked about the concept Tibetan Cultural Village in Japan and sought the members’ support and guidance.

Starting from the Save Tibet Network and Super Sangha, Representatives of the Support Groups presented short reports on the activities they have undertaken during the year and expressed their solidarity and continued support for the Tibet issue. The members of the support group introduced themselves and shared their opinions. An active discussion took place on the planting of Sakura trees to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. Publication of the Japanese version of the H.H. the Dalai Lama’s latest book, “Voice for the Voiceless”, was also discussed.

Around twenty people, including Secretary Karma Choeying and DIIR staff Tenzin Palmo, participated in the meeting. Kitazawa Anri of the Save Tibet Network moderated the event. The meeting exceeded the scheduled time by thirty minutes. Lastly, Chairman Makino Seishu and Representative Tsewang Gyalpo Arya thanked the participants and prayed for the early resolution of the Tibet issue and world peace.

-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan