Present there were Tokuji Yanagisawa, deputy chief director of the Japan-Korea Cultural Interchange Association, Fumihiro Himori, chairman of the Japan Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea, and people from all walks of life of Japan.

Invited there were Nam Sung U, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, and officials of Chongryon.

Tukuji Yanagisawa in his speech referred to the fact that during the past 43 years since the formation of the association, colorful cultural interchange events were briskly conducted even in the absence of diplomatic relations between Japan and the DPRK.

He stressed the need to promote friendship between Japan and the DPRK and conduct dynamic interchange work to put the relations between the two countries on a normal basis.