The Japanese society has paid high attention to China’s fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia since its outbreak. The Japanese government and personnel from all walks of life have extended generous and active support to China. Japanese groups sent assistance supplies to Wuhan of China, attached with ancient poetic lines: “Though miles apart, we are under the same sky” and “Fear not the want of armor, for mine is also yours to wear”, which is a vivid example of mutual support and help between our two close neighbors. The kindness of the Japanese side deeply touches the Chinese people, while China’s heartfelt thanks once again make the Japanese people feel the amity between the two peoples.
Having great empathy with the Chinese people who are suffering from the epidemic, the Confucius Institutes in Japan acted to support China in the fight against the epidemic in many ways. The Confucius Institute at Ritsumeikan University, the Confucius Institute at J.F.Oberlin University, the Confucius Institute at Osaka Sangyo University and the Confucius Institute at Yamanashi Gakuin University, together with the four universities, donated supplies for epidemic prevention and control. The Confucius Institute at Okayama Shoka University and the Confucius Institute at Kogakuin University, and the Confucius Classroom at Kobe Toyo Medical School raised fund for China. Students of the Confucius Institute at J.F.Oberlin University, the Confucius Institute at Sapporo University, the Confucius Institute at Kansai Gaidai University and the Confucius Institute at Yamanashi Gakuin University and the Confucius Classroom at Japan-China Friendship Association of Nagano recorded videos in Chinese and made posters in Japanese for their Chinese partner institutions and the Japanese society to voice their support to the Chinese people. In addition, many other Confucius Institutes in Japan conveyed their sympathies to their Chinese partner institutions by letter and e-mail. Aiji Tanaka, President of Waseda University, and Koji Furuya, President of Yamanashi Gakuin University and President of the Confucius Institutes sent letters to the Confucius Institute Headquarters and the Chinese Embassy in Japan, in which they expressed their sympathy and support to the Chinese people and confidence in the Chinese people in winning the battle against the epidemic. Besides, Koji Furuya recorded a video to show his respect to the Chinese medics fighting on the front line. He also made a deal with his Chinese partners, that is, “Enjoy Sakura wine together when the springtime arrives”.
The Confucius Institute at Yamanashi Gakuin University proposed that the Confucius Institutes and Classrooms in Japan co-sign a letter to the Confucius Institute Headquarters to express their support. In the letter, they expressed, although we are not able to join the Chinese people in the battle, the Chinese people are always on our minds. While supporting the Chinese people, we will also make more positive efforts in running the Confucius Institutes in Japan. We will make new contributions to enhancing understanding and exchanges between our two peoples through Chinese language teaching and introducing Chinese culture. We sincerely wish the Chinese people an early victory against the epidemic!(cited from Confucius Institute Headquarters, source: Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Japan)
