Tokyo – On 31 August 2025, the Tibetan community in Japan and South Korea marked the 65th anniversary of Tibetan democracy with a gathering held both in person and virtually at the Tibet House office in Tokyo.

The program began with the welcome remarks by Tselha, Accountant of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by the ceremonial offering of Khadak to the portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama by Tashi Yangzom, Secretary of the Liaison Office, along with Dorjee Shiota of the Tibetan Community in Japan.

Secretary Yangzom, in her address, informed that Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo has officially embarked on his visit to India, accompanying Japanese parliamentarians to the official Tibetan Democracy Day celebration in Dharamshala. She also read out the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) statement, which underscored the evolution of Tibetan democracy under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and stressed the importance of active participation in democratic elections.

Addressing the gathering, Dorjee Shiota, President of the Tibetan Community in Japan (TCJ), and Geshe Tenzin Sangpo, President of the Tibetan Community in South Korea (TCK), spoke about their communities’ annual activities. They emphasised unity, closer exchange between Tibetan communities in both countries and the collective responsibility to sustain the Tibetan struggle for freedom and justice.

Before the event concluded, Secretary Yangzom shared administrative updates, including guidelines for the Registration of Certificate renewal supporting letters and details of the upcoming Japan Ghoton committee meeting.

 –Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan