TOKYO: An 8-member Tibetan delegation attended the 12th Annual InterEthnic/Interfaith Leadership Conference organised by the Citizen Power for China in Tokyo from 14 – 17 November. The delegation visited the Japanese Parliament and met with members of the Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet on 15 November. The visit was organized by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The members of the Tibetan delegation comprised Ms. Kyinzom Dhongdue and Mr. Lobsang Dakpa, Members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Mr. Kunga Tashi, Chinese Liaison Officer at the Office of Tibet, Washington, Mr. Tenzin Deden and Mr. Jayang Tsering from the China Desk of the Department of Information & International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, Mr. Kunsang Topden, Secretary of the Tibetan Legal Association, and Mr. Tenzin Shenphen and Mr. Tsewang Thupten from Australia.
Led by Mr. Lungtok, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia, the Tibetan delegation visited the Japanese Parliament and interacted with members of the Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, the largest parliamentary support group in the world.
During the 45-minutes meeting, Mr. Shimomura Hakubun, MP, former Minister of Education, and the President of the Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, and other MPs said their strong support for Tibet reflects and symbolize support for truth and justice, adding that their support for Tibet issue and truth will not waver under pressure from the Chinese government. We will continue to strengthen our support, they added.
The Tibetan delegation expressed their profound gratitude to the government and Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet for their long-standing support.
“The strong support from the Japanese Parliament will boost the courage and hope of the Tibetans who are suffering repression in Tibet and become a source of encouragement for other countries to support truth and justice,” the Tibetan delegation said.
The Tibetan delegation informed the Japanese Parliament members about the present situation in Tibet.
Responding to questions asked by the Japanese Parliament members, the Tibetan delegation said the Government of India considers Tibet and India as leaves of one tree and that India has been providing unwavering support for the cause of Tibet.
The Tibetan delegation said His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been visiting Japan twice a year which reflects the importance placed on Japan by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They thanked the Government of Japan and Japanese Parliament for offering support during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Japan. They request the Japanese government and Parliament for their continued support towards Tibet issue.
– Report filed by OOT Japan –