From left: G. Secretary Hiroshi Yamada, Chairperson Eriko Yamatani, and Representative Tsewang Gyalpo Arya. 

Tokyo: Representative Dr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia visited the Japan parliament building in Nagatacho, Tokyo, and met with the Japan Parliamentarian Support Group for Tibet’s Chairperson, Eriko Yamatani, and General Secretary, Hiroshi Yamada.

The meeting with the two lawmakers was to follow up on the points discussed and resolutions made during the recent Working Committee’s meeting on 19 December and to update the Chairperson and the General Secretary on the situation in Tibet and upcoming events.

Representative Arya first delivered congratulatory messages from Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, to the two lawmakers on their appointment as the Chairperson and General Secretary of the Parliamentarian Support Group. He also informed that Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has also sent good wishes from the US and a written message is expected soon.

Representative appraised the lawmakers on the continued Chinese religious atrocities, human rights violations, and forced indoctrination of the Tibetan children in Chinese colonial boarding schools, and requested statements from the parliamentarians to urge China to stop the repression and cultural genocide in Tibet. He briefed them on the importance of the US Resolve Tibet Act, shared a Japanese translation of the Act, and requested similar policy legislation in Japan. He shared books and information brochures on Tibet.

Chairperson Eriko Yamatani and General Secretary Hiroshi Yamada thanked Representative Arya for visiting and briefing them on the Tibet issue. They thanked the Speaker and Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for their warm good wishes and promised to work hard to deliver justice to the people of Tibet. They further advised to involve Japanese individuals and groups and make them aware of the Tibet issue. They sought information on the whereabouts of Panchen Lama and clarification on how China is planning to interfere in the selection of the next Dalai Lama. The two lawmakers reiterated their strong support for the Tibetan struggle for freedom and justice.

Secretary Tashi Yangzom accompanied Representative Arya to the parliament building for the meeting.

-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan

Representative TG Arya briefing the two lawmakers.

Chairperson Yamatani, Secretary Yamada, and Representative TG Arya discussing