From November 17th to 23rd, the New Era Sino-Japanese Friendship Delegation (hereinafter referred to as the “Visiting Delegation”) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), led by Vice President Liu Weidong, carried out a one-week exchange activity in Japan. As part of the youth exchange program “Japan-China International Joint Afforestation Project”, this activity was themed on environmental protection and disaster prevention, aiming to enhance the participants' environmental protection awareness and disaster response capabilities. This collaborative project was initiated upon the in-person invitation from Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), to Prof. Jiang Sixian, former Secretary of the Party Committee of SJTU and Chairman of Members of the Council of Center for Japanese Studies, SJTU (”the Center”), during his visit to SJTU on April 25, 2019. And the implementation of the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. After several consultations and adjustments between the Center and Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai, our university decided in July 2024 to send a delegation of 150 students and faculty members to visit Japan from November 17-23, 2024. The Center, together with International Affairs Division Students Affairs Steering Committee,, School of Foreign Languages, and School of International and Public Affairs SJTU, participated in the organization of the event. During their stay in Japan, the visiting delegation was divided into five groups and went to Tokyo, Osaka, Shizuoka, Nagoya and other places to visit higher education institutions, industrial enterprises, participate in afforestation, and attend lectures themed on environmental protection and disaster prevention. The exchange activity not only further strengthened the Sino-Japanese friendship, but also contributed to strengthening mutual understanding between people of the two countries, especially the young generation, and building a more harmonious and sustainable world.
Visiting Several Japanese universities, Deepening exchanges and cooperation in various fields
Each group of the visiting delegation visited higher education institutions including University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Osaka University, Nagoya University, Institute of Science Tokyo, Yokohama National University, Showa Women's University, Shizuoka University.
At Waseda University, Liu Weidong had in-depth talks with Gemma Masahiko, Vice President of Waseda University. The two sides had productive exchanges on the cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, as well as seed funding projects and dual master's degree programs in humanities and social sciences, laying the foundation for future in-depth cooperation. Ji Weidong, Director of the Center, and Cai Yuping, Deputy Director of the Center, also participated in this meeting.
Each group of the visiting delegation carried out rich and diverse exchange activities with multiple universities. At University of Tokyo, members of the delegation exchanged ideas on “Forestry and Environmental Protection”. At Osaka University, the delegation members visited the Nuclear Physics Research Center and learned about Osaka University's cutting-edge research in the fields of atomic physics, nuclear physics and future design. In addition, the delegation had exchanges with Institute of Science Tokyo, Waseda University, Yokohama National University, Showa Women's University and Shizuoka University, including laboratory tours, lectures by experts, and exchanging and discussing with Japanese students on the topics of “Future Education”, “Disaster Prevention”, “Water Governance” “The Significance of Tree Planting,” and “Views on Relationships and Consumption.”
At Nagoya University, Ms. Mizutani Norimi, Vice President of Nagoya University, warmly received the visiting delegation and warmly met with all the leading teachers of the delegation. The members, of the visiting delegation had friendly discussion with the teachers and students of Nagoya University on two countries’ culture and education and other aspects, and exchanged gifts as a commemoration.
Visiting Japanese Companies and Institutions to Learn about Urban Disaster Prevention Measures and Frontiers of Legal Affairs
Each group of the visiting delegation visited a number of Japanese companies, such as KDDI and AZBIL, as well as multiple organizations, including the Japan Meteorological Science Museum, Glico Museum, and Shizuoka Prefectural Earthquake Disaster Prevention Center. In addition, the delegation visited the Shibuya SKY and attended a lecture themed on “Integrated Development for Infrastructure Strengthening Urban Resilience”. Through the visit and study, the members of the delegation systematically learnt Japan's cutting-edge technology and practical experience in the field of meteorological monitoring, disaster prevention and mitigation, and became aware of Japan’s deep integration of technology and social management and of the importance of public participation in disaster prevention.
In the afternoon of Nov. 19th, the third group of the visiting delegation participated in the “The 6th China Japan Corporate Legal Forum” co-organized by the Center, KoGuan School of Law, and China Institute for Social-Legal Studies, SJTU. Under the theme of “Data Governance and Corporate Legal Affairs”, more than 200 senior scholars and practice experts in related fields gathered to discuss topics such as “Utilization of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Risks,” “Evolution and Technology of Legal Practice,” and “The Frontline of Personal Information Protection”.
Planting Trees of Friendship Together, Deepening Exchanges on Environmental Protection and Disaster Prevention
The visiting delegation went to the outskirts of Nantan City in Kyoto and Forest Life Research Institute in Rinnuma-tempo Coast in Yamatake City, Chiba, respectively, to carry out tree-planting activities. Under the guidance of the Japanese staff, members of the first and third groups of the delegation jointly planted cherry blossom saplings, which symbolized the friendship between China and Japan. Members of the second, fourth and fifth groups planted a number of local tree species under the careful guidance of experts, and came to realize that the meaning of tree-planting was not only a care for nature, but also an effort to build a safer and more sustainable environment for the future.
Finally, the week-long delegation’s visit to Japan for exchange activities came to an end at Nagoya University. The closing ceremony was successfully held in a warm yet solemn atmosphere. Ambassador Katsu Okada, Consul General of Japan in Shanghai, delivered a speech via video. Mizutani Norimi, Vice President of Nagoya University, and Ding Jian, Deputy Director of the Center and Deputy Head of the visiting delegation, firmly acknowledged the positive significance of the exchange activities in promoting the friendship between Chinese and Japanese youths and in furthering Sino-Japanese cooperation in environmental protection, and expressed their sincere wishes and ardent expectations for the continuous deepening and new heights of Sino-Japanese friendly relations. Representatives of each group shared their experiences and feelings about the visit to Japan, and said that the exchange activities had broadened their international vision, enhanced the friendship between Chinese and Japanese youths, and also inspired them to pay more attention to environmental protection and disaster prevention in the future.
Through this visit to Japan, members of the delegation gained a new vision and inspiration in the fields of environmental protection and disaster prevention, as well as a deeper understanding of the culture and technological innovation in Japan. The program further promoted the cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and Japanese youth in environmental protection and disaster prevention, and deepened the friendly relations between the two countries. The members of the visiting delegation said that they would bring the experience and insights gained from this exchange back to China and make positive contributions to the promotion of friendship between Chinese and Japanese youth and the advancement of environmental protection.
Source: International Affairs Division
Students Affairs Steering Committee
Center for Japanese Studies
School of Foreign Languages
School of International and Public Affairs
