Sikyong Arrives in Japan

TOKYO: Tibetan political leader Dr Lobsang Sangay today arrived in Japan, where he will meet Japanese Parliamentarians, visit educational and monastic institutions and give public talks on Tibet related issues.

On his arrival on a sunny day at the Narita International Airport today, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay was first received by Mr Lungtok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan and East Asia. Japanese supporters and members of the Tibetan community, carrying Tibetan flags and banners welcomed Sikyong.

During the course of his visit, Sikyong will meet around 87 members of Japanese Parliament which formed a Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet last November. Sikyong will speak on Tibet and Freedom of Religion at the meeting being organised at the House of Representatives building in Tokyo.

Sikyong will visit the Office of Tibet and speak to members of the Tibetan community on 12 Feb. On 13 Feb, Sikyong will engage in a dialogue with Ms Yoshiko Sakurai, President of Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, a think tank. Ms Sakurai has been a long-time supporter of the Tibetan cause.

Sikyong will give a series of public talks on the current situation on Tibet, the way forward to resolve the issue of Tibet, why Tibet matters for Asia and the world, and leadership and resilience.

Sikyong will visit educational institutions such as Tamagawa University in Tokyo and Kyoto International Comic Museum and interact with students and faculty members. He will visit Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine located in the midst of 100, 000 trees donated from all over Japan built in memory of Emperor Meiji.

This is Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay’s third official visit to Japan. He earlier visited Japan in 2012 and 2016.

– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Japan –