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CULTURAL RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA & JAPAN
By Kijiro Miyake, Counsellor, Embassy of Japan in India, New Delhi.
Indo-Japanese cultural relations date back for several centuries, It was entirely built on the imperishable and solid structure of religious understanding based on the moral values of life. It is indeed a matter for deep consolation that despite the passage of difficult times in the history of the modern world, this centuries old cordial relations between India and Japan have assumed today wider forms in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and peaceful intentions for the progressive realisation of lasting peace and prosperity to the peoples of both the countries. The revival of the old cultural relations between India and Japan in the post-war-world and the strengthening of the existing bonds in all spheres of life, both material and spiritual, will contribute greatly to the moral and material awakening and prosperity of the peoples in habiting these two foremost countries of Asia.
In the development of the existing happy relations between India and Japan, it should not be forgotten, that cultural influences of India have played an important role in the thoughts and national aspirations of the Japanese people. Similarly, the indigenous national ideals and certain historical forces of Japan forming her industrial progress, techonological and scientific advancement and independent outlook in life, if I am permitted to state, have also influenced the Indian people to look forward with hope in their march for freedom and to be united with Japan in their aspirations and ideals of life. It is my pious wish that this unity and good relations between us will grow from day to day not only for the happiness and welfare of the people of India and Japan but also of the world at large
Let us for a while look back to our ancient past. While India was undergoing religious revival under the spiritual guidance of Lord Mabávira and Gautama, the Buddha some twenty-five centuries ago, Japan was also experiencing religious ferment under the guidance of her teachers representing our ancient culture, which is known today
