On July 1, a group of around 30 young Chinese journalists visited DPJ Headquarters for exchanges with DPJ politicians. The group was visiting Japan under the auspices of the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) programme. JENESYS was established in 2007 by the Japanese government with a 5-year mandate to invite around 6000 youths from various Asian countries to Japan each year to promote mutual understanding and friendship. The meeting was attended by International Department Vice Directors-General Naoto Sakaguchi and Mieko Nakabayashi, and Youth Department Secretary General Hiroyuki Moriyama.

In his opening address, Sakaguchi welcomed the group, many of whom were on their first visit to Japan, and expressed the hope that the visit would “deepen their understanding of and friendship toward Japan”. After comments from the Diet members, the young journalists peppered them with a variety of questions regarding their day-to-day lives as politicians, the current political situation and foreign and economic affairs.