Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Thursday, October 2, I had the honor of paying a courtesy visit to the East Asia Research Foundation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). I met with Mr. Tsutomu Takebe, Director and Advisor of the Foundation, Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship League, and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as Mr. Shigeo Ueyama, Representative Director and Executive Director of the Foundation.
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A Leader Connecting Nations, Regions, and Asia
Mr. Tsutomu Takebe is one of Japan’s most prominent politicians, having held key positions at the core of the Japanese political sphere for many years. As a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has served in critical roles including Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Transport, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Steering Committee, and Secretary-General of the LDP. His policy expertise and foresight have left a lasting mark on food security and agricultural policy, shaping the future of Japan’s agriculture and regional communities.
Even after retiring from politics, Mr. Takebe has led the establishment of the East Asia Research Foundation, promoting friendship and mutual prosperity between Japan and Asian countries. Building on his political experience, he continues to engage energetically in fostering trust across borders and contributing to a peaceful and prosperous East Asia. Through my discussions with Mr. Takebe, I learned the importance of maintaining steadfast beliefs and taking action with a sense of mission while always keeping Japan’s role in the international community in mind.
About the East Asia Research Foundation
The East Asia Research Foundation was established to contribute to the welfare and economic development of East Asia and to strengthen friendly relations between nations. Guided by the spirit of “cooperation and harmony” in East Asia, the Foundation undertakes activities that promote regional coexistence and shared prosperity. It played a key role in establishing the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU), opening an undergraduate program in Japanese studies in October 2020. Additionally, as Chairperson of the Japan-Vietnam Festival Executive Committee, the Foundation actively promotes friendship and cultural exchange between Japan and Vietnam. Through these initiatives, the East Asia Research Foundation continues to contribute to cultural, economic, and human exchange between Japan and East Asian countries, supporting regional peace and prosperity.
During this visit, I had the opportunity to report on Miss SAKE’s activities and discuss the significance of “cultural exchange as a bridge between nations” as well as its future prospects. From the extensive initiatives of Mr. Takebe and Mr. Ueyama through the East Asia Research Foundation, I was reminded of the importance for Japanese people to engage with the world with both pride and responsibility.
Reading “Japan Revitalization: A Blueprint for a Global Talent Coexistence Society”
I also had the opportunity to read Mr. Takebe’s book, Japan Revitalization: A Blueprint for a Global Talent Coexistence Society. The book not only provides fundamental knowledge and specific proposals on coexisting with foreign talent, but also includes interviews with prominent figures active in various fields and the voices of foreign professionals working in Japan.
In today’s Japan, facing a declining birthrate and an aging population, foreign talent is indispensable. Many young people, especially from across Asia, are drawn to Japanese culture and the Japanese spirit, seeking to live and work in Japan. Yet the domestic infrastructure—including societal awareness, Japanese language education, reception systems, and foreign talent development programs—remains insufficient. This book emphasizes, from historical, cultural, and political perspectives, the importance of understanding our responsibilities as Japanese in preparation for a future global society of talent coexistence.
It provides valuable insights into the roles that individuals, companies, and government must each play, and reading it inspires reflection on what we can personally do to shape Japan’s future. I highly recommend it to everyone.
This visit offered a precious opportunity to learn from Mr. Takebe’s extensive experience and deep insight. Through our discussions, I was reminded of the importance of each individual considering Japan’s value and position within the international community while embracing a sense of responsibility and self-awareness as Japanese citizens. His unwavering principles and decisive actions provided profound learning and strong inspiration for me as I continue to share the charm of Japanese sake and culture both domestically and internationally.
With the insights gained from this visit, I am determined to further strengthen my role as a bridge connecting people, regions, and countries, and to continue striving to share the richness of Japanese culture with as many people as possible.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
