25th anniversary of Ota Kinenkan dormitory

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of Ota Kinenkan, which was built by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) in 1990 to serve as a boardinghouse for students from Beijing. It stands on land donated by the late Unosuke Ota, who had close ties with Sun Yat-sen. Ota requested that the property be used to promote Japan-China friendship. Currently, the dormitory also accommodates students from other Asian cities.

On Thursday, November 19, in celebration of the anniversary, Governor Masuzoe invited Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua and former Director General of the TMG Bureau of Social Welfare Yoko Nuita, who is the daughter of Unosuke Ota, to the dormitory. After speaking with students staying there, the governor and ambassador created a calligraphy with the words “Tokyo Beijing hakuai-no-ie (Home of Affection)” in the hope that Tokyo and Beijing will further deepen the friendship.

Later in the day, the governor and ambassador attended a ceremony at a Tokyo hotel to celebrate Ota Kinenkan’s 25th anniversary. At the ceremony, Governor Masuzoe said, “Ota Kinenkan accommodates not only students from Beijing but also those from other Asian cities. It is very meaningful that students from different cities deepen their relationship with each other. I hope students will cherish their friendship with fellow boarders and keep in touch after leaving so that the network of former boarders will continue evolving. I wish you every success in your future career in which you will be able to play a role as a bridge between Japan and China, and other Asian countries.”