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Japan-Korea Tunnel Promotion Conference held in Tokyo - Genba Newsletter December issue

“Japan-Korea Tunnel Promotion National Officers Liaison Conference” will be held in Tokyo

On November 25th, a conference was held at a hotel in Tokyo to make significant progress towards the realization of the ``Japan-Korea Tunnel,'' which the Foundation has been working on since its proposal 35 years ago. The ``Japan-Korea Tunnel Promotion National Officers Liaison Conference'' was sponsored by the ``National Conference Organizers Association'' and co-sponsored by this foundation.

Approximately 200 people participated, including representatives of prefectural citizen conferences that have already been formed in 28 prefectures across the country, as well as members of the Diet, academics, and representatives from South Korea. The fact that the ``International Highway/Japan-Korea Tunnel'' has begun to be discussed at the national level for its realization means that it has entered a high stage from a project of a private organization to a national/international project.

 

At the meeting, Eiji Tokuno, Chairman of the Foundation, gave an address and spoke about the significance of the tunnel, saying, ``The Japan-Korea Tunnel, which will contribute to future Korea-Japan and Japan-Korea relations, is a concrete plan to bring the two peoples closer together and realize an East Asian community.'' He looked forward to the future efforts of the participants.

In addition, Hiroshi Mizohata, Chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau (former Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency), gave a keynote speech entitled, ``Invigorate Japan through tourism-oriented nation and regional revitalization - The Japan-Korea Tunnel will be a catalyst for Japan's revitalization.'' He said, ``I have high hopes for the Japan-Korea Tunnel to help create a country where young people can dream and have something to live for, a country they can be proud of,'' and encouraged them to develop it as a national movement along with a resolution at local assemblies.

 

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[Photo] Eiji Tokuno, Chairman of the Foundation, giving a greeting

 

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[Photo] Next year in 2017, we will unite to create a momentum for the realization of the Japan-Korea tunnel at the national and international level.

 

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