In Commemoration of 75th Birth Anniversary of General
Secretary Kim Jong Il “New Year Artistic Gathering for
Japan-DPRK Friendship” Held in Osaka


Buddhist Abbot Arima Raitei lecturing
(at Osaka Philharmony Hall on January 28, 2017)

   To commemorate the 75th birth anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, a “New Spring Artistic Gathering for Japan-DPRK Friendship” was held on January 28, 2017 under the sponsorship of the Executive Committee for its gathering.
   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. Ogami Ken-ichi, secretary general of the IIJI; Mr. Sumiya Keizo, representative of the Fukushima Liaison Council for the Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism, who is also president of the Group in Support of Korean Schools in Fukushima; Ms. Ikebe Yukie, joint representative of the Kansai Liaison Council for the Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism, who is also chairperson of the Association for Musical and Artistic Exchanges between Japan and the DPRK; Mr. Takeuchi Koichi, coordinator of the Tokai Liaison Council for the Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism, who is also secretary general of the Aichi Group for the Promotion of Educational and Cultural Exchanges between Japan and the DPRK; Mr. Arimoto Masaaki, Osaka advisor of the Civil Solidarity Group Calling for the Early Realization of Japan-DPRK Diplomatic Normalization; Mr. Yama Toshihiro, member of Konan City council, Aichi Prefecture, Ms. Nishino Masako, Toyama Prefecture’s branch member of the Japanese Red Cross Society; Mr. So Chun On, director of International and Reunification Bureau of the Central Headquarters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, Mr. Kim Jin Do, vice-president of the Aichi Group for the Promotion of Educational and Cultural Exchanges between Japan and the DPRK.
   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 Kim Jong Il. In an effort to make this auspicious year a year of a turnaround, let us promote friendship between the DPRK and Japan.”

“New Year Artistic Gathering
for Japan-DPRK Friendship”



   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 Kim Jong Il behind the fact that the DPRK attaches importance to cultural assets and said:
   “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 Kimilsung-Kimjongilism as well as the Osaka Korean Kamudan (Tr.: Song and Dance Troup) displayed their performances.

   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 Kim Il Sung, General Secretary Kim Jong Il, Chairman Kim Jong Un and their fatherland, its singers and dancers displayed songs and dances entitled: “Our Beliefs,” “Always in Our Hearts,” and “We Are the Mallima Riders!.”
   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.

Celebration of Publishing
“Collection of Kim Jong Un Works” Vol. 2

   A Celebration of Publishing the “Collection of Kim Jong Un Works” Vol.2 was held on the same day following the Artistic Performance.
   The “Collection of Kim Jong Un Works” Vol.2 that was launched after its Vol.1 in 2014 gatheres works of Chairman Kim Jong Un made public from February 2014 to December 2016 including his report to the 7th Congress of the WPK.
   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 Kimilsung-Kimjongilism said: I would like to hold fast to our responsibility for the next arising generation through studying the Juche idea while learning from the “Collection of Kim Jong Un Works.” Then he proposed to drink a toast to the promotion in the Japan-DPRK friendship movement along with world peace and the happiness of humanity.
   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 Kim Jong Un in its 2 volmues this year that falls on the 105th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and the 75th birth anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
   “Chairman Kim Jong Un has been conducting many activities by regarding it as his mission to thoroughly implement the instructions of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
   “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 Kim Jong Un who is at the front of the struggle to build the DPRK to be the country where the leader, the Party, the people and the armed forces are integrated like one family. Because of his exemplary work, people are following him. Chairman Kim Jong Un is respected by the people as their leader.
   “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 Ogami Ken-ichi of the IIJI made an address as follows:
   “I am very glad to be present at this gathering in celebration of the publication of the ‘Collection of Kim Jong Un Works’ Vol.2 immediately after the splendid artistic performance to commemorate the 75th birth anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
   “General Secretary Kim Jong Il, who carried forward and developed the cause of Juche originated by President Kim Il Sung and won a victory over the imperialist maneuvers of aggression, passed away regretfully.
   “In the process of his ideo-theoretical work Chairman Kim Jong Un formulated ideas and theories of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il as Kimilsung-Kimjongilism, and now has been at the front waging struggle for its accomplishment.
   “The contents of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism and Chairman Kim Jong Un’s effort for its realization can be integrated in the ‘Collection of Kim Jong Un Works’ Vol.1 and Vol.2.
   “It is of historical significance that the ‘Collection of Kim Jong Un Works’ vol. 2 was consecutively published in last January 8 in celebration of his birthday yet after publishing the vol.1.
   “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 Kim Jong Un Works’ will illuminate the bright path of the world people and show them their way to follow vigorously.
   “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 Kimilsung-Kimjongilism as well as those who have been active in the friendship and solidarity movement with the DPRK for a long time in various places of Japan.
   They extended their determination to exert efforts to make a deeper study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism and promote the Japan-DPRK friendship movement in an effort to turn Japan into a better society, while learning from the works of Chairman Kim Jong Un.