Embassy of India

Tokyo

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PRESS RELEASE

In a significant gesture, the International Day of Yoga 2018 was celebrated at the Japanese Diet on 19 June 2018 with a commemorative Yoga Session for the Parliamentarians.

2. The Yoga session was organized by the Embassy of India Tokyo and the Parliamentary League for Promotion of Yoga in Japan, in association with all major Yoga organizations in Japan including the Yoga Organization of Japan, Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga among others. The Yoga session witnessed enthusiastic participation by the Japanese Members of Parliament, Diet employees and Yoga enthusiasts.

3. Mr Hakubun Shimomura, former MEXT Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary League for Promotion of Yoga in Japan and Ambassador of India to Japan Mr. Sujan R. Chinoy, addressed the gathering. Ambassador Chinoy recalled the establishment of the Parliamentary League for Promotion of Yoga last year as a “major milestone” in the joint efforts to promote Yoga. Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to have the UNGA declare the International Day of Yoga, he added that the “spread of Yoga in Japan will contribute to the creation of a vibrant and healthy society”. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s video message addressing the Yoga enthusiasts ahead of the 4^th International Day of Yoga was also played at the event, inspiring all participants. This was followed by a Yoga session as per the Common Yoga Protocol prescribed by Ministry of AYUSH, GOI, conducted by Dr. Hemant Sharma, Yoga Teacher at the Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy.

4. The people of Japan have a natural inclination for Yoga due to the ancient Hindu-Buddhists links that provide a common bond and shared values between the two countries. It may be recalled that the first-ever Parliamentary League for the Promotion of Yoga was established in Japan in April 2017 during the visit of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

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Tokyo

19 June 2018