The 2nd Annual Tokyo-Beijing Forum in August 2006

June, 28, 2006/07/14 Hibiya Press Center Building

▼Report on the Press Conference/June 28, 2006
▼Japanese panelists at Tokyo-Beijing Forum 2006
▼Chinese panelists at Tokyo-Beijing Forum 2006

Article

The 2nd Annual Tokyo-Beijing Forum in August 2006
“Future of Asia: Towards a renewed relationship between the two nations”
Candid discussions between China and Japan will take place

On June 28th, 2006, a press conference was held by Genron NPO and China Daily newspaper to announce the 2nd Annual Tokyo-Beijing Forum in August. This conference is organized by Genron NPO in conjunction with China Daily newspaper, a prominent newspaper in China, and Beijing University, School of International Study. Followed by the first forum in Beijing last year, we will host this major international event this year from August 3rd through August 5th at Palace Hotel in Tokyo. The theme for this year is “Future of Asia: Towards a renewed relationship between the two nations.”　Mr. Yasushi Kudo, managing director of Genron NPO and the main organizer, and five other core organizers spoke the detail of the forum at the press conference.

Spearheaded by Genron NPO, China Daily newspaper and Peking University, School of International Study founded a committee and agreed to hold a forum every year for the next ten years, alternating a host country each year. The plan was made last year while a series of anti-Japanese demonstrations were taking place in Beijing. The committee aims to create an ambit and a communication channel where people in both countries can discuss candidly. Through discussions, the organizers seek to achieve mutual respect and understanding, as the both governments seem to falter on this matter in the past few years. In order to reflect the public views at the forums, public polls are conducted every year in each country, and the results are examined at each forum.

The very first forum in Beijing last year was attended by over 200 participants ranging from government officials, politicians, business leaders, journalists, and scholars in various fields from both countries. The forum caught much attention from the international community, and the reports were made world-wide.

The 2nd Annual Tokyo-Beijing Forum brings five topics to the table:

1.China and Japan within Asia - influx of people, capital investment, cultures, values
2.Responsibility of the two nations - energy, resources, and environmental issues
3.Roles of media - mutual understanding and mutual respect through public awareness
4.Beyond the past – reconciliation to advance with resolutions
5.Future of Asia – contribution of China-Japan relationship

Each topic will be discussed at separate sessions, and each group will present the resolutions to the forum in the end.

The list of panelists from China and Japan were also announced at the press conference (to be updated), and 30 some panelists are expected to engage in candid discussions.

To read the report on the press conference, click here