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Buddhist Abbot Arima Raitei lecturing
(at Osaka Philharmony Hall on January 28, 2017)
To commemorate the 75th birth anniversary of General Secretary
Present there were scholars, researchers, and youth and students from all over Japan, some 220 in all including Prof. Emeritus Ie Masaji at Kobe City University for Foreign Studies who is also director of the Board of Directors of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea (ARIJI); Dr.
In his address, Prof. Emeritus Ie Masaji as chairman of the Executive Committee for the gathering said as follows:
“It is strongly desired to make this year a year of great leap in the realization of diplomatic normalization of the bilateral countries as well as that of multicultural symbiotic society in Japan.
“February 16 this year falls on the 75th birth anniversary of General Secretary
The chief abbot of Shokoku-ji Temple School of the Rinzai sect, Arima Raitei gave a lecture at the New Year Artistic Gathering for Japan-DPRK Friendship.
Arima Raitei, who is chief priest of the Buddhist temples like Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto, along with director-general of the Kyoto Buddhist Organization, visited the DPRK in October 2016 as a recent one to join a Buddhist memorial service at Reitsu-ji temple in Kaesong.
He also visited Fugen-ji or Pohyon Temple in Mt. Myohyang which houses woodblocks of the “Tripitaka Koreana” or a Korean collection of Buddhist scriptures in a most careful way. He was deeply impressed by the fact as such.
In his lecture, Chief Abbot Arima Raitei stressed that there had been concern and leadership of General Secretary
“I was greatly amazed at the woodblocks of ‘Tripitaka Koreana.’ There has been all the collections preserved in order in a neat repository that protects against mold and moths. When I looked at it, I felt that such country as puts importance to her cultural assets will never perish and that this country is excellent in the way that it should be:
He also referred to the development of the DPRK he had recognized through his several visits there till then in the followings: I was greatly astonished to see the changes in Pyongyang and Kaesong in the last ten years. Pyongyang was rushing at constructing buildings. No matter how she has been imposed on economic sanctions, the DPRK has accomplished wonderful development. Hearing and seeing are different in large. We have only information about this country broadcasted by the West. The information about the DPRK has ceased. For that it will be impossible to know of this country without visiting there directly.”
Chief Abbot Arima Raitei spoke of his vivid ideas about peace in the world and Japan-DPRK friendship in that there is a plan for him to meet the Pope this year on behalf of the Japanese Buddhist circles and then he is willing to suggest the Pope’s possible visit to the DPRK in view of bringing about peace in the world.
In the following Artistic Performance, Toyama Yoko, singer, who is also coordinator of the Tokai Liaison Council for the Study of
Toyama Yoko expressed her determination in her talk while singing “Fubuki Jongara,” and “Ishiwari-zakura” as follows: “These songs are inspirational in thinking that spring is coming surely after harsh winter. In this way, these songs give us strength to deal with one’s adversity. Likely I am determined to continue to do my possible best for the promotion of the Japan-DPRK friendship movement.
In her talk, she explained a song entitled “Kenkagoma” as follows: “Japan and Korea used to have a friendly relationship like a childhood friend in spite of the recent unfriendly relationship. They will surely become reconciled in the course of time. I believe that it will be dependent on your efforts.”
The Osaka Korean Kamudan founded in 1965 and conducts its performance some 100 times each year based on Osaka, Nara and Wakayama.
With the feelings toward President
In the finale, the Japanese singer and the Korean singers and dancers performed songs and dances together, making refresh their same feelings to work hard for the promotion of Japan-DPRK friendship.
A Celebration of Publishing the “Collection of
The “Collection of
In his address on behalf of the sponsorship, Prof. Emeritus Ie Masaji, who is one of the Representative coordinators of the Japanese National Liaison Council for the Study of
In his address Director So Chun On of International and Reunification Bureau of the Central Headquarters of the General Association of Korean Resident in Japan said as follows:
“Allow me to express my hearty respect and gratitude for the world’s first publication of a collection of works of our WPK Chairman
“Chairman
“It can be said that all his activities are thorough implementation of the principle of giving priority to self-development and the people-first principle.
“It is Chairman
“As in a song sung by Ms. Toyama Yoko today, while believing in that tomorrow will surely come even in a difficult situation right now, I would like to do my possible effort to meet good day for the relationship between Korea and Japan, working together with you.”
Also in the celebration, Secretary General
“I am very glad to be present at this gathering in celebration of the publication of the ‘Collection of
“General Secretary
“In the process of his ideo-theoretical work Chairman
“The contents of
“It is of historical significance that the ‘Collection of
“There is no future in capitalism. Nevertheless, the preceding socialism was frustrated. Under these circumstances, people cannot see bright prospects for their future.
“A storm of populism that increases anxiety among the people and stimulating such temporary feelings, while taking advantage of them politically, has now been blowing in the US as well as other Western countries. The tendency of seeking after the economic interest of the monopolists by means of aggression and plunder has emerged.
“I am sure that the ‘Collection of
“Now, allow me to express my gratitude to our friends who have made a lot of efforts to make successes in the artistic performance and this commemorative function of publication, and the people from all over Japan who have taken part in those gatherings to celebrate the launch. Indeed, I am unable to contain my joy to share the common pleasure with you all.”
Also taking the floor at the commemorative function of publication were many others such as office-bearers of the National Liaison Council and the district liaison councils for the Study of
They extended their determination to exert efforts to make a deeper study of