Latest news from Japan
G8 petitions delivered by Japan today.
Total petition signatures collected: 7,310
FTTJ would like to announce that submission to the Japanese petition to
invite the Dalai Lama to the G8 for talks with China ended today, June
23rd. First of all, we would like to thank all of you who helped us by
creating a wave of support from throughout Japan to the world to in
order to spread the word and stress the urgent need to stop the
brutality in Tibet.
There were countless members of public who worked tirelessly and
selflessly to collect the petitions at various gatherings, on the
street, and on the internet, etc.
The paper petitions collected in Japan were put into three file holders
and delivered to House of Representatives member Takeo Hiranuma's
secretary, Mrs. Inubushi. The files were then taken within the same
building by Mrs. Inubushi to Prime Minister Fukuda's policy secretary.
At 12:08 PM, Mrs. Inubushi called to confirm that the petitions had been
delivered.
We are delighted to be able to share with you that all of the paper
petitions were successfully delivered to Prime Minister Fukuda where
they will receive attention by the proper office.
FTTJ would like to express special thanks to The Tibet House of Japan
who kindly offered to collect petitions in paper format. FTTJ would also
like to thank Takeo Hiranuma the members of the House of Representatives
and his secretary Mrs. Inubushi for their understanding in the Tibet issue
and for becoming a bridge for us to deliver the petitions directly to
Prime Minister Fukuda. A member of the House of Representatives, Mr.
Hiranuma was appointed to the position of Minister of Economy, Trade,
and Industry in 2001 by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of the
Liberal Democratic Party during his time in office.
Mr. Hiranuma refused to support the Prime Minister's plans to privatize
the Japanese Postal system and as a result was no longer endorsed by his
party during September 11, 2005 election. Nevertheless, he was
reelected. Mr. Hiranuma has been an influential political figure who is
not afraid to voice his opinions in public on issues such as human
rights or abductions by the North Korean' government. FTTJ had
approached him earlier seeking advice on how to deliver the petitions
directly to Prime Minister Fukuda. Mr. Hiranuma kindly responded to us
the following day and said that he would help arrange delivery to Prime
Minister Fukuda's office via his own secretary.
We were also quite amused at the bizarre cooincidence that the number of
petitions delivered and the phone for Mr. Hiranuma's office shared the
same set of digits, 7310.
We at FTTJ will continue to press all of the G8 leaders and sherpas
until the summit begins. The UK Government e-petitions are open until
the 29th of this month. Please continue to share this information to
your friends and families so that Tibet can receive the urgent attention
it needs right now.
- Immediately admitting foreign media into Tibet
- Allowing the International Red Cross and other humanitarian
organizations into Tibet
- Permit UN investigators to enter and conduct investigations in Tibet
- Stopping its vilification of the Dalai Lama
- Releasing all who were detained since the 10th of March
- Stopping its crackdown and withdraw armed security forces
- Stopping its forced nationalistic re-education campaign
Thank you !
You can enlarge photos by clicking on them.
ph1: With Lhakpa Tshoko, representative of the liaison office of H. H.
the Dalai Lama in Japan and East Asia, after counting all 7310
petitions.
ph2; We filed all petitions with a noticeable G8 action label
ph3; Mr. Hiranuma was absent at the time of our visit to his office, so
we have taken a photo of an famous political cartoon over looking the
Prime Minister's office (his bold attitude towards challenging the
existing political system has earned him the nickname of "the Samurai").
Prayer for Peace Association by Buddhist Priests From Various Denominations Has Been Formed
The Japanese Buddhist priests from six denominations in Japan including Rinzai-school have formed “Buddhist Priests’ Prayer for Peace Beyond Denomination Association” (Representative is Eisho Kawahara, the chief abbot of Renge-in Tanjou Temple) and held a press conference on June 6.
The association had previously sent a statement to Mr. Fukuda, the Japanese PM. The statement called on the Japanese government to have a direct dialogue with China in Japan to resolve the Tibet issue with compassion. The association said that they wanted to appeal to world opinion and also that they wanted to cooperate with international support.
The association will hold a memorial service to honor those who lost their lives in the recent unrest. This service will take place in Zoujoji Temple (Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo) at 5.00 pm on 18 June. They are asking many monks to participate throughout Japan.
For further information, please contact the representative Kawahara at:
artic@uproad.ne.jp
"Direct Dialogue at the Summit" Demanded by Buddhist Priests Association
sixteen Buddhist priests from different denominations will be officially forming ”Prayer for Peace Association by Buddhist Priests from Various Denominations” to call for a direct dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Hu Jintao at the forthcoming G8 Summit this July in Japan.
Mr. Eisho Kawahara, 56, the chief priest of Tanjou Temple (in Tamana-shi, Kumamoto) and the representative of the association, strongly stated, "We cannot ignore Tibet’s terrible situation as a fellow Buddhist," at the press conference held at the Japanese Press Club (Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on June 6.
Several hundred Buddhist priests from various denominations such as Tendai and Shingon schools throughout the nation are going to join the association through the Internet online membership system.
The association has already sent a request letter to the prime minister's official residence and the Chinese embassy in Japan to call for the dialogue at the Summit.
After the Summit is over, the association will continue to work to protect Tibetan Buddhism.
One of the secretaries, Keishi Wakaomi, 48, the chief priest of Zenko-ji Temple Noriyuki Bo (Nagano) said passionately, "We are hoping that this association will be the first step to unite all the denominations together to take action to help.”
A report on the release of the detained Tibetan, Tashi Tsering
By Rev. Shuei Kobayashi, Priest of Juzenin Temple and Chairman of The
Japan Committee for Tibet
The Taiwanese citizen and second generation Tibetan, Tashi Tsering,
who
had a made a dramatic appeal on TV during the Nagano Torch relay, was
released from the Nagano criminal court at 13:40 on the 16th of May.
Tashi Tsering was arrested by the torch security police after
throwing
himself into the path of the torch with a Tibetan flag and shouting
"Free
Tibet!". He was detained by the Nagano police on a charge of
obstructing
police. After 20 days he was released on bail with a fine of 500,000
yen
($4800.00 USD).
Mr. Tsering's appeal on TV resulted in many sympathetic calls to the
Nagano Central Police requesting his release. He also received a flood
of
postcards from people showing their support. Rev. Koboyashi and his
friends responded by quickly setting up a bank account to handle
donations
from those who wanted to help.
Prof. Pema Gyalpo of Toin Yokohama University, a Tibetan resident of
Japan, organized a quick press conference so that Tashi could speak to
and
thank the general Japanese public before his return to Taiwan.
In front of more than 30 different media groups and reporters Mr.
Tsering
expressed his thanks for the support he had received while in custody.
He
said that the postcards he had received from supporters had given him
much
needed comfort and that he had not expected such enthusiastic support
of
the Tibetan cause in Japan. Mr. Tsering added that it seemed that the
Japanese people had a strong sense of justice. With regard to his
jumping
in front of Ai Fukuhara, a torch bearer and Olympian ping-ping player
who
had recently played a match with the Chinese President Hu Jintao, Mr.
Tsering said that he had no idea who she was.
He was unable control himself when he heard Chinese students shouting,
"the Dalai Lama is crazy!".
He also felt it was some sort of
divine intervention; probably guidance from a Buddha received after
attending the memorial service earlier that day at Zenkoji Temple for
the
casualties in the recent uprising in Tibet.
Tashi Tsering was born in India where his parent has fled during the
1959
uprising. While Tashi did not experience the invasion himself, he has
the
stories of the desperate experiences from his father. During the
conflict,
Mr. Tsering's father was detained and sentenced to death by the
Chinese
public security authorities for political reasons. However, on the
day
before his execution, he managed to escape through a small window to
a
cliff below. Mr. Tsering's parents and his then-7-year-old brother
made a
harrowing 2 week escape to India across the Himalayas. "As an exiled
Tibetan, I always felt homeless in India. I felt no sense of
belonging,"
Mr. Tsering recalled. However, the words of the Dalai Lama made him
change
his attitude. "Tibet belongs to the Tibetans. Through peaceful
protests, I
want to help reclaim freedom for Tibet," he said.
According to the Consul of Taiwan, there were two other people
detained
for an extended period in relation to the torch. Mr. Tsering's release
was
the earliest among them.
Below is the accounting report. With the agreement of Mr. Ikawa, who
attended the press conference and initiated the fund-raising effort
along
with Mr. Takatsuji, we gave Mr. Tashi 50,000 yen as a consolation
payment.
Total donation: 787,790 Yen
Expenses
Penalty:５00,000 Yen
Return flight and accommodations ；100,000 Yen
Bank transfer fee: 420 Yen
Press conference and reception； 71,494 Yen
Consolation payment；50,000 Yen
Total ；721,914 Yen
Remainder 65,876 Yen
Rev. Kobayashi suggests that remaining balance will be donated to
TSNJ, Japan's Tibet support organization.
May 7 - Straight Speech - I do not welcome Hu Jintao to Waseda University
http://www.asaho.com/jpn/coverright.html
This article on China's Hu Jintao's visit to Japan's Waseda university was published by asaho mizushima in his website
He is a professor of Waseda university Faculty of law, as well as a Doctor of Law in Constitutional Law.
The history of Japan-China friendship is the history of the cultural and academic communications between Chinese public/intellectual and Waseda University. Since Sigenobu Ohkuma established Waseda, many Chinese key persons have visited or studied in Waseda to represent later a diversity of careers. Among 2,721 foreign students in Waseda in 2007, about 40% are from China. 82 Chinese students are in law faculty, some of whom I am teaching. The cultural and academic communications with China was, is and always be meaningful to Japan. Even though the Chinese system is different from ours, China is still our important neighbor.
Waseda University has claimed to be an open university, especially to Asia, declaring its policy of academic freedom, sprit of enterprising, out of power and academic independence. It has been immune from narrow-minded nationalism. However, a university should not always open to anyone. A university should have their own decision, free from political pressures, who to invite to deliver lecture to its students, based on autonomy in a university.
When a university invites a guest, he/she should be someone who all members of faculty can hail. If the guest is a head of state or politician, it is natural that certain students protest as a university is supposed to be rich in diversity in thoughts and speeches. Many heads of state and politicians have visited Waseda since its establishment, and I have never made a negative comment on each case since 11 years, except this time.
The Chinese President Hu Jintao is delivering lecture in Waseda's lecture hall tomorrow on May 8th. To be frank, I don't welcome him. I believe that executive board of Waseda University should have rejected the plan. However, the board has planned to set up his visit, even a ping-pong match with Ai Fukuhara, an Olympic athlete and a student in Waseda. Media certainly will create friendly mood, which I don't believe helps to lift Fukuda's low cabinet approval rating. I rather feel sad than sorry about the university offering to stage this ludicrous farce.
When a foreign guest gives a lecture, invitations are usually delivered to school staffs in advance. Even when it is a lecture to a limited audience, members of the related subject are to receive invitations. Some are open to students. Meanwhile, the lecture of Hu Jintao has been kept in secrecy, and no information provided even on the official website.
No announce was made to call for participation to the lecture to the students who take Chinese as the second foreign language. Unlike Jiang Zemin's visit in 1998 that was open to public, this lecture is closed, only open to the 40-ish unidentified listeners who have studied in China. They have been warned beforehand not to ask a political question to the president.
200 elite of Communist Youth League in China who are visiting along with Hu Jintao are expected to fill the lecture hall tomorrow. After having a rest in resort in central Japan, they have recovered fully to escort the president. Hu Jintao is also from the 'Communist Youth League', and got to the top of it in 1984. It is the elite training institute of Chinese communist party, and the members are so-called presidential bodyguards. Those confederate will applaud to the president, who on TV seem as Waseda students. As above, before school staffs and students in Waseda realize, the event of Waseda welcoming Hu Jintao will be carried out, which I get suspicious.
Hu Jintao is guarded as heavily as the american presidents. Some civil groups are expected to protest against him tomorrow around the lecture hall. According to the security authorities, some areas will be closed. The front gate are to be closed in the afternoon, so some classes had to change rooms. The reason (for taking a tight security) that is given is 'because of an important event'. The executive board of the university hasn't made any notice in advance, and placed the highest priority on security of the event. I wonder if it is really necessary for Waseda to invite Hu Jintao now.
The Beijing Olympics torch relay was dogged by the protests over the Tibet issue everywhere in the world except China and North Korea. The torch promoting China's propaganda was resented globally. Japan is the first country the Chinese president visits since the recent unrest in Tibet occurred, and Waseda is obviously the first foreign university where he gives a lecture since then. I'm afraid that Hu attempts to use Waseda to justify his position and policy to the world.
Despite the request from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Waseda should have showed resourcefulness as a university (to reject Hu), while international community is monitoring the Tibet and human-rights issues of China. Now the global society is expecting Japanese government and Waseda University to refer 'human-rights issue' firmly to Hu Jintao, but they don't seem to have gut to do it.
Tibet issue has complex background, but even from the most neutral viewpoint, the China's crackdown in Tibet by force should be criticized. Chinese government is trying to drown out the protests by promoting patriotic feelings of Chinese people chanting 'Go China'.
Today, gap between rich and poor in China is increasing and it produces various issues. China deals with the protests in a harsh repressive way by force.
Hu Jintao took up a post as Communist party leader in Tibet Autonomous Region when he was 46 years old. On March 7th 1989, he declared martial law over Lhasa and had authority as the supreme commander to execute the ironfisted policy to Tibet. He is the very person who flung the army to oppress the Tibetans.
Next year will be 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square incident, the whole picture of which has not been clarified yet. During the incident, Hu placed Tibet under martial law, to prevent the movement to spread to the region. He filled a seat of Vice President of Central Military Commission 10 years after the Tiananmen Square incident.
People's Liberation Army in China is the Army that liberates 'Communist Party' from 'People', namely 'Violent Mechanism' to maintain and secure the one-party system. Therefore, the president of Central Military Commission has an advantage over a supreme commander of army. Hitler did not take (Soviet Union's) commissars as a prisoner, but issued order to shoot them, as he totally knew the particularity of a communist military. People's Liberation Army guards the party from people, as the party's army.
Hu Jintao once commanded the force as Communist party leader in Tibet Autonomous Region, and today as the Chinese President, cracked down the recent Tibetan protests by force. Western countries have condemned China's human-rights record, some of which expressed concerns by deciding to boycott the Olympic ceremony. Meanwhile, Waseda University is used by Chinese government to fend off the global criticism over the Tibet issue. This harms the university's reputation.
A well-known constitutional scholar, who has already retired, had kept refusing invitation from China, as Chinese government showed no sign to reflect on Tiananmen Square incident. I would like to clarify my statement that I do not welcome Hu Jintao's visit to Waseda University.
Hu Jintao delivered lecture in Waseda Univ., Tokyo. Tibet supporters on the verge of scuffles
May 8th 2008(Photos) Protesting Students in Waseda Univ.
Visiting president Hu Jintao today delivered lecture in Waseda University in Tokyo. Hundreds of students and Tibet supporters protested against Hu around the lecture hall. The rival groups faced off with verbal challenges to each other and some minor scuffles occurred, but no huge mess was created.
The students and protesters were gathered in a square across from the lecture hall. Approach to the hall was blocked by riot police. The number of Chinese students chanting 'Go China!' was 3 times smaller than the protesting crowds calling for 'Free Tibet!'. Many students came around the two groups to take pictures with mobile phone cameras.
A male student (22) was trotting toward the schoolhouse. 'I'm happy about good bilateral relations, but I will be late for the class because the front gate is closed', said he.
Hu got to the hall by a car led by police cars. No mess occurred as it was obscured from the protesting students with the riot police's vans.
http://www.asaho.com/jpn/coverright.html
Former Japanese PM Abe's demand to release a political prisoner strained Hu Jintao at a breakfast meeting
the photo: Hu Jintao receiving the flowers from the Chinese student in Waseda Univ., Tokyo.
A breakfast meeting of the Chinese president Hu Jintao with the past Japanese prime ministers (Nakasone, Kaifu, Mori and Abe) were held today in Tokyo. Nakasone, as the oldest person, hosted the meeting and enlivened the mood of friendship. Meanwhile, it got strained when Abe pointed out China's human rights issues regarding to Tibet and Uighur that China has been nervous about.
The meeting began at 8AM and lasted for about 1 hour. Nakasone and others met Hu at the door. Koizumi, whose visits to Yasukuni Shrine had been opposed by China, did not appear.
Hu Jintao expressed his appreciation at the meeting and enjoyed Japanese specialties.
Nakasone recognized that Hu's visit produced fruit and said 'Japan-China relationship has not been amicable, but the Japan-China joint statement released on 7th will enable it to make a new development'. Kaifu demanded Hu to go further to solve the gas exploitation issue in East China Sea.
Abe 'spoiled' the friendly mood by implicitly criticizing that the Chinese side punctuated the top-level communication following Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. 'I am concerned about human-rights situation in Tibet', said Abe. ' China should improve it in this year when you are hosting the Olympic games.'
While the room was filled with strained silence, Abe continued to refer to the Uighur issue. He demanded a release of a Uigur man who was arrested for 'acting to split the nation' by Chinese authorities when he temporary returned to China during his study in Tokyo University. His wife and family are still in Japan.
'I know nothing about the case. I will check if he was charged in accordance with law'. responded Hu, but did not mention the Tibet issue.
Mori, trying to mend the awkward moments following Abe's statements, said ' I guess China will try to win a lot of medals in the Beijing Olympic', which put back the smile on Hu's face.
The summary of Abe's statement at the breakfast meeting.
It is important to keep the top-level visiting to build a strategic partnership. We may sometimes differ with one another on some points, but I believe that the stable bilateral relationship will make a profit to the both countries and this is 'strategic partnership'. The leaders should meet because there are issues to solve.
Japan hosted the Tokyo Olympic when I was a child. The Olympic produced the elation and sense of accomplishment that Japan had been accepted by the international community. China seems going through it right now. However, I am concerning over the human rights issue in Tibet. I appreciate your decision to resume the dialogue with the Dalai Lama side, but China should improve the human-rights situation in this very year when you are hosting the Olympic games. I'm strongly hoping for that.
I would also like to refer to Uighur. 11 years has passed since a Uighur student studying in Tokyo University was arrested when he temporary returned to China for his research. His wife and family are living in Japan. I strongly hope that he will be released and come back to Japan.
Hu Jintao- Breakfast with past Japanese PMs. Abe expressed regrets over Tibet. Koizumi did not appear.
May 8th 2008 (Sankyo Shimbun)
The visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao held today a breakfast meeting with the past prime ministers (Nakasone, Kaifu, Mori and Abe) in Tokyo. The meeting was intended to stage 'warm spring' visit after the years of opposition, which the former PM Abe 'spoiled' by expressing regrets over Tibet. Koizumi, whose visits to Yasukuni Shrine created a problem with Hu, did not appear.
Nakasone hosted the meeting. Hu met Nakasone and others at the door, shook hands all around with smile and expressed appreciation.
Nakasone evaluated Hu's visit produced fruit. 'The joint statement released yesterday is of historic significance. Japan-China relationship has not been amicable, but the joint statement will enable it to make a new development. Both sides should make an effort', said he.
Meanwhile, Abe pointed out of the significance to build the stable bilateral relationship without punctuating the top-level communication for a strategic partnership, by which he implicitly criticized China's refusal to the summing meeting following Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. 'I am concerned over the human-rights situations in Tibet. I appreciated that China had resumed the dialogue with the Dalai Lama side, but I urge you to improve the human-rights situation in this year when you are hosting the Olympic games', said Abe, cautioning against Hu.
Abe also referred to the Uighur issue. He mentioned a Uighur student who studied in Tokyo University, who was arrested 11 years ago when he temporary returned to China. 'His family is in Japan. I strongly hope that he will be released', said Abe.
'I know nothing about the case. I will check if he was charged in accordance with law'. responded Hu, but did not mention the Tibet issue.
The room was filled with strained silence after Abe's statement.
Mori suggested a new idea to create 'United States of Asia'. As a chairman of Japan Sports Association and executive board member of Japanese Olympic Committee, he expressed anticipation for successful Olympic, and demanded Hu to support Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Kaifu demanded Hu to go further to solve the gas exploitation issue in East China Sea.
Torch Relay in Nagano- Behind-the-scene secrets - 4,000 Chinese cheers twice greater than police's expectation - Japanese police took effective caution not to make an angry mob
The torch relay in Nagano was carried out without any major disruptions under tight security with 3,000 policemen deployed. However, the number of Chinese cheers that was believed institutional swelled up to 4,000, much greater than the security authorities had expected. The big flags were potentially dangerous, and some government officials said 'Even the smallest factor could provoke them to become violent mob.'
According to government sources, staging a successful torch relay for the Japanese PM Fukuda was the precondition for the scheduled meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao on May 7th. Prior to the torch relay, the Prime Minister office issued instructions to the Prefecture Nagano and its police department to 'make assurance doubly sure'.
According to public security sources, they discovered beforehand that responding to the call of students association, 2,000 Chinese students would pack into Nagano, based on which the security plan was made.
However, a number of twice-greater-than-expected Chinese students turned out. The Chinese students association had prepared T-shirts for the event, produced 2,000 supply shortage. The relay route was flooded with the big Chinese flags.
Despite a number of witnesses that Tibet supporters and policemen were physically assaulted, no Chinese was arrested while 5 Japanese and one Tibetan Taiwanese were detained, some among whom were charged for obstructing business by force.
No aluminum flagpoles that were used in the assaults were seized.
The police officials gave some reason why they tolerated violence by Chinese people. 'The security focus was to make the torch relay end successfully, so we can' deny that minor scuffles were tolerated. An effort had to be made at all costs to avoid the situation of provoking the Chinese people to be violent mob', said some security official. As for violence to policemen, an executive of Nagano prefectural police department said 'I heard about it, but no police officer has made an official report'.
'Free Tibet!' - 4,000 protested against visiting Chinese president Hu Jintao in Tokyo- calling for a peaceful solution
Thousands of people have rallied in Tokyo as Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Japan, calling on the Chinese government for a peaceful solution to the unrest in Tibet.
The rally was organized by a private Tibet supporting organization and about 1200 including Tibetans turned out. All participants offered a minute of silence for victims of the recent unrest in Tibet. The rally adopted a resolution calling on visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao for the peaceful solutions to Tibetan issue, requesting 'to stop cracking down Tibetans by arms' and 'to release the innocent Tibetan prisoners.'
'Free Tibet!' - 4000 protested against visiting Chinese president Hu Jintao in Tokyo
The protesting rally against Chinese crack down in Tibet was held Tuesday in Tokyo as Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Japan.
4,200 protesters took to the streets, according to organizers, chanting 'Free Tibet!'
The Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Karma Chophel attended at the rally. He called for a return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama 14th to Lhasa and the absolute autonomy in Tibet. 'If the Chinese authorities refuses to consider the Tibetans' feelings, we are forced to execute a rights to regain our independence. The ball is now thrown to China.' said Karma Chophel.
Japan-China joint interview - A Japanese journalist asked Hu Jintao about the Tibet issue and the Chinese-made dumplings
A Japanese Journalist : 'Chinese government has resumed talks with the Dalai Lama side and also there are some pending issues between Japan and China, such as gas fields issue in the East China Sea and the Chinese-made dumpling case. What are your future prospects for solutions to those issues ?'
Hu Jintao 'As the journalist said, the Chinese representatives met Sunday the envoys of Dalai Lama and held informal talk. The two parties agreed to keep talking for a next step. We always take a serious and solemn stance when we contact or talk with the Dalai Lama's envoy. We hope the Dalai will stop acting to separate the homeland, stop orchestrating the inciting of violent acts and stop undermining the Beijing Olympics, so as to create the conditions for further discussions. We hope that the contacts will have a positive result.
I have held a meeting with Prime Minister Fukuda. We agreed not only to building of a framework for bilateral strategic partnership, but to promoting of solutions to every pending issue between Japan and China. For example, as for the East China Sea issue, the respective foreign ministers have had in-depth talks under common understanding achieved by the leaders of the both countries, made significant progress and the prospects for solution began to look brighter, which I am very happy with. The both parties agreed to accelerate negotiation to reach to the consensus as soon as possible'
'As for the Chinese-made dumpling, We highly value a food-safety and the nation's health. Chinese government have made a serious and in-depth investigation into the causes of the (food-poisoning) case. Our related department have had a good communication with the Japanese side about the survey results. The related departments of both countries will continue the investigation, in a closer cooperation, and make an effort to find the causes as soon as possible.'
Japan-China summit session, Fukuda welcome China's resumption for a dialogue with Tibet and demand continuous effort to calm the global regret over the issue
Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda met Wednesday morning the Chinese President Hu Jintao. He recognized that China has resumed talks with the Dalai Lama side and demanded a continuous negotiation to calm the global regrets over the Tibet issue.
'I encouraged the President Hu's decision and evaluated the resumption of talks as a crucial start for a full-fledged dialogue with the Dalai Lama side, and urged to continue talks to improve the situation and calm the global regrets over the issue', said Fukuda.
Meanwhile, President Hu said 'I hope the Dalai Lama side stops scheming for splitting the mother country, planning and leading violence and interfering the Beijing Olympic'.
The two leaders discussed about the pending gas exploiting issue. They recognized that prospects has emerged and agreed to move toward consensus as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Fukuda demanded a clarification of causes of the food-poisoning cases by Chinese-made dumplings. Hu told Fukuda that the Chinese side had began to investigate. The two leaders agreed to strengthen their investigative cooperation.
The two leaders signed on the Japan-China joint statement on strategic partnership focusing on the political mutual trust and a promotion of the bilateral cooperation to establish a global warming countermeasure.
Fukuda told the press conference after the session that he would 'positively consider attending the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony when conditions permit.'
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/fnn/20080507/20080507-00000344-fnn-pol.html
Chinese President Hu Jintao met top Democrats Ozawa and the executives of each political party
Chinese President is meeting the leader-class politicians of each party in a hotel in Tokyo.
President Hu is talking with each top-class politicians for 30 minutes. He first me Ibuki, secretary general of Liberal Democratic Party. Ibuki indicated that Japanese public are concerned about each pending issue (between Japan and China), such as a food-poisoning case by Chinese-made dumplings or the gas fields. 'I evaluate the meeting as we could make sure that the President Hu has issued instructions (for securing food-security) to the people in charge', said Ibuki.
President Hu evaluated the agreements with Japanese PM Fukuda that it would make a meaningful contribution to the peace in Asia and the world.
Hu met also Ozawa, the leader of Democrats for for the first time since his visit to China last December. Hu and Ozawa are expected to discuss about the bilateral friendship and its further strengthening. President Hu will later attend at a banquet at the Imperial Palace. The previous Prime Ministers except Koizumi are also planning to attend at it.
Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda met Wednesday morning the Chinese President Hu Jintao at prime minister's office.
The two leaders are expected to sign on a joint statement that promotes a future-oriented strategic partnership and also on a countermeasures against global warming, and fortify their basic stance as the major countries in Asia on the contribution to global security and development.
At the beginning of the meeting, Fukuda extended a cordial welcome to Hu as this year celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty. In response, Hu said 'The Japan-China relations today has big opportunities for further development.'
The joint statement will be on a comprehensive promotion of strategic partnership. It will not express any apology or regret of the Japanese side, but declare a future-oriented stance to 'contemplate the history' and to 'open every possibility for the strategic partnership for the future.
Chinese side appreciated that Japan has followed the path of a peaceful state after the WW2 and contributed to global peace and security, and will state that it 'would not directly support Japan's entry as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council', but 'values the rank and role of Japan in U.N.'
Japanese side will maintain its ground in supporting of the Chinese official line toward Taiwan.
The joint statement will include the annual visit of either party and stipulate that the two countries need to work in close cooperation for further understanding and pursuit of fundamental and universal values acknowledged by the international community. Japanese side will mention not directly the Tibet issue, but shared value of global society.
As for the pending issue about the gas exploitation in the East China Sea, Fukuda will reveal the idea that the East China Sea is the sea of peace, cooperation and friendships.
Fukuda will confirm that the two countries work together to advance the process of six-nation talks on the North Korea issue, and the policy that the two countries make active contributions to establishing 'post- Kyoto protocol' that will come into effect in 2013, as contributions to the global issue.
Fukuda expressed his anticipation to a progress of dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama 14th. President Hu is expected to report the subjects of the discussion with the Dalai Lama side for exchanging views. Fukuda is expected to offer the cooperation to stage the succesful Olympics.
http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0507/TKY200805070034.html
Japanese PM and Chinese President held a summit meeting and agreed to a reinforcement of strategic partnership
"2008 should be the year for Japan-China relations to grow dramatically"
Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda met Wednesday morning the Chinese President Hu Jintao at prime minister's office. The two leaders will agree to a reinforcement of strategic partnership and make up a joint statement to confirm the principal of Japan-China relations.
The summit meeting began at 10:20 AM and is still going on now at 11:30 AM.
The two leaders expressed ardent wishes for the year 2008 to be the year of a dramatic growth of bilateral relations at the beginning of the meeting.
Hu has offered to lend a pair of giant pandas to Japan. Fukuda expressed his appreciation on behalf of Japanese people and told Hu 'This year should be a historical year for a dramatic growth of bilateral relations'.
Hu Jintao said 'The Japan-China relations today has big opportunities for further development. As the Japanese Prime Minister has said, I also would like to make an effort to contribute to the growth of the relations'.
The two leaders are expected to discuss also about the Tibet issue, pending issue about the gas exploitation in the East China Sea and the food-poisoning case caused by Chinese-made dumplings during the session.
Ministry of Foreign Affair of China expressed strong feeling of discomfort about the Pro-Tibet protests in Japan
May 6th- Ministry of Foreign Affair of China expressed strong feeling of discomfort about the protests as the Chinese president Hu Jintao arrived to Japan.
A spokesman of Ministry of Foreign Affair of China called the protests in Tokyo "Interference by Tibetan separatists' and said "It can't stop the development of Japan-China relationship', in an expression of displeasure.
Meanwhile, he also expressed China's wish to strengthen a ties with the Japanese side and stage a successful Olympics.
Following the global movement to boycotting the Olympic opening ceremony over Tibet, China seems to express its expectation of Japan's cooperation.
Takeshi Kitano criticized a comedian torch runner Kinnich Hagimoto in his regular column on Tokyo Sports.
Takeshi Kitano, a world-famous Japanese film director and comedian called Hagimoto washout as comedian in his regular column. 'If I were a torch runner, I would do something ridiculous like running away with a torch or putting out the flame', said he.
It is known in Japan that a comedian Kinnich Hagimoto loves and respects Chaplin.
'He's parroting Chaplin's ideas (about love and peace), so his accepting to be a torchbearer didn't make sense, considering the human right issue in Tibet.' said Kitano. And he added that comedians should be rebel, criticizing Hagimoto for licking the boots of the authorities.
Another Japanese comedian "Egashira 2:50" came running over to Nagano for the torch relay, believing the false rumor that Zenkoji Temple would be burned down as the temple had dropped out from the relay over Tibet. He appeared in his usual shirtless and black tights style, and stated 'I will defend Zenkoji'. His participation to the protest was showered with tributes from Japanese citizens.
最終更新：2008年06月24日 01:04
