Prof. Cong Xiaobo of IRISE Delivers Keynote Lecture at International Symposium “Lu Xun-Daisaku Ikeda Dialogue” Held at Shaoxing University, China

On September 20, 2026, an international symposium titled "'Lu Xun–Daisaku Ikeda Dialogue': From Lu Xun to Daisaku Ikeda: East Asian Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning among World Civilizations" (Chinese title: 『鲁迅对话池田大作』暨『从鲁迅到池田大作：东亚文化交流与世界文明互鉴』研讨会) was held at Shaoxing University in Zhejiang Province, China. It was co-hosted by Shaoxing University, the Lu Xun Cultural Foundation, and Soka University.

About 60 people took part, including leading scholars of Lu Xun and Daisaku Ikeda studies from universities and research institutions in China and abroad, as well as faculty and student representatives. Soka University sent a delegation that included Executive Director Koichi Kandachi. Prof. Cong Xiaobo of the Ikeda Research Institute for Soka Education (IRISE) also took the stage, delivering a keynote lecture titled "Daisaku Ikeda's Steadfast Commitment to Japan–China Friendship" following the opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony, speakers reflected on the conferral of an honorary professorship on founder Daisaku Ikeda from Shaoxing University in April 2010, and on the establishment of the Lu Xun-Daisaku Ikeda Research Institute in March 2012. They stressed the significance of this symposium in exploring the natural affinity of their thoughts and their humanistic spirits toward East Asia, and in promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

Zhou Lingfei, President of the Lu Xun Cultural Foundation (grandson of Lu Xun and Dean of the Lu Xun and World Institute), spoke about the history of the Lu Xun Literature Prize, which has been awarded to Soka University students since 2005, and about the cherry trees that were planted in honor of Lu Xun’s family at Soka University’s campus. He said that Lu Xun’s philosophy of “cultivating the individual” resonates deeply with founder Daisaku Ikeda’s vision for peace and cultural dialogue.

Keynote Lecture and Thematic Reports by Professor Cong Xiaobo

After the opening ceremony, eight researchers delivered keynote (thematic) presentations. Professor Cong Xiaobo of our institute spoke on “Daisaku Ikeda’s Steadfast Commitment to Japan–China Friendship,” discussing the founder’s long-standing cultural and educational exchanges between Japanese and Chinese citizens, his peace proposals, and his practice of grassroots diplomacy, along with their intellectual significance. Professor Emeritus Tsuyoshi Takahashi of our university presented a report titled “Daisaku Ikeda’s Succession and Development of ‘The Lu Xun Spirit’ and Its Distinctive Characteristics.” Six other researchers also gave keynote presentations, and lively research reports and discussions took place from diverse perspectives.

Breakout Session Presentations and Outcomes of the Symposium

In the afternoon, participants divided into two breakout sessions, in which a total of 22 researchers gave presentations.

• Session 1: “Comparative Study of the Thought of Lu Xun and Daisaku Ikeda”
• Session 2: “Lu Xun, Daisaku Ikeda, and World Literature Studies”

The sessions deepened scholarly exploration of the two men as bridges between literature, thought, and education in East Asia. At the closing ceremony, the results and an academic summary of each session were reported and the symposium successfully concluded.

The symposium was made possible by the great efforts of many people, including Professor Zhuo Guangping of Shaoxing University’s Lu Xun-Daisaku Ikeda Research Institute. It was a valuable opportunity for Japanese and Chinese researchers to further deepen their friendship and academic exchange.