The Tokyo Foundation was established in 1997 with the mission of examining and proposing solutions on various themes, ranging from international politics and economy to the global environment. In addition to conducting policy research and devising proposals as a private think tank, the Tokyo Foundation is engaged in developing the next generation of human resources, through the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF), established at 68 universities in 44 countries. To mark the foundation's 10th anniversary, a series of symposiums was launched in January 2008, under the theme "Reconstructing Values for the Global Age." A total of ten symposiums will be held before the series ends in June.

"These symposiums," said Hideki Kato, Chairman of the Tokyo Foundation, "are intended to strengthen cooperation with overseas research organizations and to help identify new systems and policies for the international community in the new millennium." The series began on January 24, and three symposiums have already been held. They have been popular--all but filled to capacity by nearly 200 individuals.

Their common theme has been reconciling and sustaining unique cultures and value systems, as the rapid development of globalization homogenizes lifestyles, values and products. The first four symposiums dealt with this theme under the titles: - Dietary Culture in the Global Age (January 24) - Challenges for Peace Building in Africa: the Case of the Democratic Republic of Congo (January 25) - The Pathology of Contemporary Society (February 12) - Humanitarian Support under Conflict Conditions: Perspectives on the Implementation of Universal Values (February 28)

The fifth symposium, to be held from 4:00-5:30 on April 3rd, will be entitled "The Market Economy in China," and will be delivered by Professor Wu Jinglian, one of China's leading economists and a strong proponent of the shift to a market economy.