Three East Asian Nations Strengthen Cultural Ties with Kyoto Declaration
Kyoto, Japan – The 15th Korea-China-Japan Cultural Ministers’ Meeting concludedin Kyoto on September 12, 2024, with the signing of the Kyoto Declaration, a joint statement outlining the three countries’ commitment to strengthening culturalexchange and cooperation. The meeting, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ofJapan, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, also saw agreements to enhance cultural exchange among future generations.
The Kyoto Declaration emphasizes the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening future relations between the three countries.The declaration outlines key areas of focus, including:
- Deepening cultural exchange, especially among young generations: This includes initiatives to promote cultural exchange programs, scholarships, and joint projects involving youth from all three nations.
- Expanding city-to-city exchange under the East Asia Cultural Cities program: The program, which aims to foster cultural collaboration between cities in the region, will see the designation of Anseong (Korea), Macau and Huzhou (China), and Kamakura (Japan) as East Asia Cultural Cities for2025.
- Strengthening the role of culture as a global public good: This involves promoting cultural diplomacy, supporting cultural initiatives that address global challenges, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
- Enhancing cooperation in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage: This includes joint research, conservation efforts, andthe development of shared strategies for safeguarding cultural assets.
- Supporting creative activities and protecting intellectual property rights in the digital age: This involves promoting digital platforms for cultural exchange, supporting artists and creators, and ensuring the protection of copyright and intellectual property in the digital environment.
The meeting also saw the signing of a Memorandum ofCooperation (MOC) for the 2025-2026 Korea-China-Japan Cultural Exchange Year, which will further strengthen cultural ties between the three countries.
Beyond the joint declaration, bilateral discussions were held between the Korean and Japanese delegations, as well as between the Korean and Chinese delegations. During theKorea-Japan meeting, Korea’s First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ryu Ho-seong, urged Japan to take concrete steps to address concerns regarding the inscription of the Sado Mine as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He specifically called for the improvement of the exhibition at the Sakaikyo Folk Museum,located near the Sado Mine, to adequately address the forced labor issue. He also requested that Japanese government officials attend a memorial ceremony for victims of forced labor at the Sado Mine.
The Korea-China meeting focused on exploring potential cultural industry exchange programs for future generations, as well as discussing ways to improve and cooperate on systemsthat promote tourism exchange between the two countries.
The Kyoto Declaration and the accompanying agreements represent a significant step towards strengthening cultural ties between Korea, China, and Japan. The focus on youth engagement, cultural diplomacy, and heritage preservation reflects a shared commitment to fostering mutual understanding and building a more interconnected future for the region.
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