Global Lawmakers Gather in Tokyo for 9th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet

Tokyo, Japan, 3 June 2025: The 9th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet (WPCT) commenced today at the International Conference Hall of the Japanese Parliament, bringing together 142 participants from 29 countries. This convention is organised by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in collaboration with the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet.

The opening session featured addresses by Chief Guest Akiko Santo, Member and former Speaker of the House of Councillors; Special Guest Madam Akie Abe, former First Lady of Japan; and Rev. Chojun Ohtani, the 25th Chief Abbot of the Higashi Hongwanji Temple. The session also included video messages from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Michael McCaul of the United States, addresses from the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and the Chairperson of the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, Eriko Yamatani. A special highlight was a message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, followed by the screening of the documentary Democracy: The Gift of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Chief guest Akiko ...