International Symposium Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Meeting Between Zhou Enlai and Daisaku Ikeda was held at Soka University
The International Symposium Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Meeting Between Zhou Enlai and Daisaku Ikeda was held over two days on November 30 (Sat) and December 1 (Sun) at Global Square, Soka University.
A total of 138 researchers, including 10 online participants from 45 universities and institutions across 7 countries—China, USA, Korea, the Philippines, Spain, Italy, and Japan—convened to attend 6 keynote speeches and 51 papers presented in 16 parallel sessions.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the meeting between Premier Zhou Enlai and Soka University Founder, Daisaku Ikeda, on December 5, 1974. As the leader of the People's Republic of China, Premier Zhou, who consistently engaged in dialogue with various nations during the Cold War, entrusted Mr. Ikeda with the future of Japan-China friendship at this meeting. Mr. Ikeda, who had proposed the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in 1968, played a pivotal role in the restoration of these diplomatic ties. Even after this meeting Mr. Ikeda continued to engage in dialogue with future national leaders of China and contributed to the development of Japan-China relations.
This symposium focused on their once-in-a-lifetime meeting and was held under the theme "Peace and Development Through Dialogue.”
The opening ceremony on the first day of the symposium featured greetings by President Masashi Suzuki, followed by a lecture by Yuji Miyamoto, Chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Center, on "The Contemporary Significance of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and China.” (Tentative translation) Following this, parallel sessions were held based on research topics, with 9 sessions in Chinese (e.g., "Zhou Enlai and Daisaku Ikeda"), 5 sessions in English (e.g., "Peace Building Through Dialogue and Poetic Spirit"), and 2 sessions in Japanese (e.g., "Dialogue for Peace"), where researchers exchanged opinions. Prof. Kang Sang-jung, President of Chinsei Gakuin University and Prof. Han Dongyu, Former Vice President of Northeast Normal University spoke at the plenary session on the theme “Peace Building in East Asia Through Dialogue.” They emphasized the importance of dialogue that transcends differences in cultures and values in an international society increasingly marked by conflict and division.
On the second day, the plenary speakers—Prof. Jia Huixuan from the School of International Studies at Peking University, Prof. Kazuteru Saionji from Higashi Nippon International University, and Prof. Ji Yaguang from the College of Marxism at Nankai University—delivered presentations on the theme, “The Contemporary Significance of the Meeting between Zhou Enlai and Daisaku Ikeda.” They discussed the peace efforts of Premier Zhou and Mr. Ikeda, how their vision for societal development has been passed down through generations, and the crucial role of dialogue in fostering Japan-China friendship. This was followed by closing words from Mr. Yasunori Tashiro, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Soka University, and the event ended with a commemorative photo in front of the Zhou Enlai Cherry Tree on campus.
Voices of the Participants:
・ I was truly honored to participate in this symposium and engage with esteemed researchers at Soka University.
・ It was deeply meaningful to participate in an academic symposium focused on the philosophy of Mr. Ikeda, especially around the first anniversary of his passing. I was also happy to learn that his philosophy continues to be passed on to future generations.
