On October 27 (Saturday) and 28 (Sunday), the 10th International Academic Symposium on the Philosophy of Daisaku Ikeda was held (sponsored by: Fudan University and Soka University; supported by: Chinese Association for Japanese Studies). From Soka University, Board of Trustees Chair Yasunori Tashiro, President Yoshihisa Baba, and Vice President Koichi Kandachi attended the event.

The symposium, which marks the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China and the 50th anniversary of Soka University founder Dr. Daisaku Ikeda’s “Proposal for the Normalization of Sino-Japanese Relations,” was held under the theme, “Vision and Practice of Groups Sharing a Common Destiny,” gathering approximately 160 researchers from 53 universities and institutions from within and outside China, for exchanging views, together with Vice Chairman Zhao Qizheng of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Secretary-General Xu Jianping of the China-Japan Friendship Association, and Chairperson Yuhong Liu of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
At the opening ceremony, Associate Vice President Chen Zhimin of Fudan University shared his greetings, and this was followed by a report from Soka University’s Board of Trustees Chair Yasunori Tashiro, who looked back on the advancement of the symposium against the backdrop of the approximately 1,000 people that have participated in this event and the 550 papers that have been composed so far. Then, Professor Wang Hongxiang read out Dr. Ikeda’s message in Chinese on the founder’s behalf. Dr. Ikeda shared three points: “expansion of humanistic education,” “exchanges of global citizens,” and the “solidarity of the human revolution of youth,” all as part of a conference that elevates and establishes awareness as a community sharing a common destiny.

Afterwords by Chairperson Yuhong Liu of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Vice President Xu of the Sino-Japanese Friendship Association shared a congratulatory message from President Li Xiaolin of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. President Li shared that the current relationship between Japan and China is advancing toward normal development, stating: “Through this symposium, I look forward to the participants bringing forth their wisdom and further contribution toward promoting friendship.” Lastly, Shanghai International Studies University President Li Yansong shared words of congratulations.

In the special lecture that took place after the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman Zhao Qizheng of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Soka University President Baba delivered a lecture. In the keynote speech that followed, Shanghai City Political Consultative Conference, Shanghai Committee Former Vice President Wang Ronghua, Vice President Chosei Makino of the Research Center on the Philosophy of Daisaku Ikeda at Fudan University, and Beijing University Professor Jia Huixuan shared information on the history and challenges of the two nations of China and Japan, as well as the importance of intercultural exchange. In the afternoon, sub-committees took place under the themes of “Pacifism,” “Culturism,” “Educationalism,” and “Humanism.”

On the 28th, sub-committees were held under the above four themes, and “Youth Forum” was also added as a theme. Research results were reported from various angles, including Dr. Ikeda’s philosophy on peace, education, and humanism. During the closing ceremony, followed by greetings from various guests, Soka University President Baba expressed his appreciation to those who made preparations for the symposium and shared his hopes to continue strengthening the network of research on Dr. Ikeda’s philosophy.

After the symposium, Board of Trustees Chair Yasunori Tashiro and others moved to Tianjin and attended a general meeting of the Sino-Japanese Humanities Exchange University Federation, held at Tianjin Normal University.