From October 26 to November 1, 2025, a 50-member youth delegation from Japan's Soka Gakkai visited Beijing and Hubei Province at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
During their stay in China, the delegation took part in a wide range of exchange activities. In Beijing, they visited the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and held in-depth discussions on "Youth and the Future of China-Japan Relations." They presented flowers and paid their respects at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to honor history and reflect on peace. They also met with Ms. Zhou Bingde, relative of Premier Zhou Enlai, and toured the Lu Xun Museum to trace the historical footprints of friendly exchanges between the two countries.
In Hubei, the delegation visited Central China Normal University and Hubei University, where they exchanged views on their aspirations and deepened their friendship. They toured the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (Wuhan) Test and Demonstration Zone, Yellow Crane Tower, and the East Lake Greenway, which helped them gain a comprehensive understanding of China's latest achievements in cultural inheritance, ecological development, and scientific and technological innovation.
On October 26, a welcome dinner was held in Beijing. Cheng Yonghua, Executive Vice President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, attended the event. He expressed his hope that young people of the two countries uphold a broad vision and innovative spirit, to preserve and carry forward China-Japan friendship, and turn it into a bridge of communication for future generations.
Members of the delegation noted that the visit had transcended media narratives and offered them a glimpse of the real China—one steeped in history and brimming with vitality. They spoke of having forged genuine friendships with their Chinese peers, and bringing this authentic understanding and heartfelt goodwill back to Japan. The delegates also expressed their readiness to dedicate their youth and strength to the long-term, steady development of Japan-China friendship.
Si Qingchuan, Full-time Vice President of the Hubei Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Yang Bojiang, Director-General of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and other officials attended the relevant events.
