Present there were personages of Juche idea study organizations and Japan-DPRK friendship organizations in Japan, the secretary general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, a director of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea, a director of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan and others.

Masaji Ie, director of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea and chairperson of the executive committee for the gathering, called for further promoting the Japan-DPRK friendship on the occasion of the Day of the Shining Star, stressing that this year should be a year of turn in promoting the normalization of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations.

Raitei Arima, director general of the Kyoto Buddhist Society of Japan, noted that the nation's cultural heritages had been well preserved in the DPRK under the care of Kim Jong Il. Any country valuing its culture is sure to be prosperous, the director general said.

Yoko Toyama, adviser of the Japanese Tokai Liaison Council for the Study of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, said the relations between Japan and the DPRK would be surely improved, and expressed the resolution to intensify the Japan-DPRK friendship movement.

A performance of artistes of the Osaka Korean Song and Dance Ensemble was given at the gathering.