Rijiju to speak at 'Asia' Values and Democracy' symposium in Tokyo

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju will deliver the inaugural address at the 'Asia' Values and Democracy' symposium in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday.

The symposium has been jointly organised by the Japan Foundation and the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) in collaboration with the Japanese foreign ministry.

It is a follow up to the "Hindu-Buddhist Conference for conflict Avoidance and Environmental Consciousness" that was organised by VIF in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation and Tokyo Foundation in New Delhi in the first week of September, 2015.

This initiative has come from the talks that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in which they identified conflict and environment as the two major challenges facing the world today.

The symposium in Tokyo will be attended by approximately 600 people representing 13 countries.

Prime Minister Abe will address the inaugural function, where a video message from Prime Minister Modi will be played.

The symposium will attract renowned Asian political, social, academic, and religious leaders to explore the values that have formed the basis of democracy and inter-state relations in Asia.

Rijiju is also scheduled to visit the ancient Buddhist temple of Todaji at Nara, Japan on January 20, before departing for India on January 21.