Japanese are more supportive of Tibetan cause: a Japanese parliamentarian

Mr. Seishu Makino and Ms. Suzuki speaking to the Tibetan media. (Photo: Tenzin Wangyal, RFA)

Dharamshala: "Even though the Japanese government in the past had been weak in supporting the Tibetan issue, the present government is taking more interest in the Tibetan issue which I believe is a positive sign", Mr. Seishu Makino, former chairman of the Japanese Parliamentary Group for Tibet (JPGT), said yesterday at a meeting with the Tibetan media.

"The Japanese people admire the Tibetan culture and hold His Holiness the Dalai Lama in high regard. They are more supportive of the Tibetan cause as compared to the past. But the Japanese government because of the pressure from Chinese counterparts could not support the Tibetan cause as other countries do.

"However the Japanese government's attitude is now changing and it is therefore taking more interest in the Tibetan issue", Mr. Makino said.

Mr. Makino is one of the founders of the JPGT and has been its chairman till recently. The JPGT, founded in 1994 with only four members, is now full-fledged group with 79 members.

He is here for a five-day visit during which he intends to do a research work on Tibet. His other purpose is to seek support of the Tibetan people for his movement that is to work for the democratisation of China, which he said will benefit whole of Asia in long run.

Mr. Makino said when he goes back to Japan, he would hold discussions with his colleagues and friends on his interaction with Tibetan Administration and people here during this visit.

Mr. Makino is accompanied by Ms. Suzuki, local office staff of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan.

The Tibetan Parliament in-exile will host a dinner for the delegation this evening.

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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