Reportage – 2005

Dalai Lama to visit Japan

DHARAMSHALA, India, 5 April 2005

Tibetan and Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama is expected to arrive in Tokyo on 8 April, Friday, for an eleven-day tour of Japan, according to his office.

The visit will bring him to Tokyo, Kyoto and Kumamoto and Kanazawa Prefectures.

However, he is not expected to meet with any politicians due to Japan's sensitive ties with China.

"The visit is purely religious. His Holiness will be engaged in public talks and teachings." Tenzin Taklha, the Dalai Lama's secretary said.

No meeting with any Japanese politicians is scheduled with the Dalai Lama in the upcoming tour and despite his nine past visits to the country, no Japanese leader has met with him.

China has lodged its objection to the Dalai Lama's visit to Japan and asked its government not to issue him a visa.

China dubs the Dalai Lama as a "separatist" and protests any government allowing him into their country and any leader meeting with him.

As Japan plies diplomatic skills to sustain a frail relations with China, activists feel that it is an opportunity to forge Japan into a position as an international power player.

"It is an opportunity for Japan to prove itself as an international power, if a Japanese leader meets the Dalai Lama." says Tenzin Choeying, an activist for a Free Tibet in Dharamsala.

Choeying feels that it is not an easy task to confront Chinese pressure but it will be a milestone step for Japan to place itself in the international power scene.

Rengein Tanjyouji, Tamana city, Kumamoto Prefecture, invited the Dalai Lama to the country.

In Tokyo, the Dalai Lama will visit Majie Shrine and will give a public talk titled "Compassion in Human Relations" at Ryogoku Kukugikan, in Tokyo on 9 April.

He will be in Kumamoto from 10 to 14th of April, where he is expected to deliver a public talk on "World Peace Through Peaceful Heart" at Kumamoto Prefecture Theatre.

A public talk to the staff and students of Kyushu University of Nursing is scheduled during his stay in Kumamoto. He will be in Kanazawa for two days from the 16th, offering teachings on Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama has run his government-in-exile from India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against China's Communist rule.