Who is Liu Xiaobo―― 36th Anniversary of the August 9th Tiananmen Incident
When the1989 Chinese Democratization Movement began, Liu Xiaobo ended his research career in the United States and devoted himself to activism in China, continuing debates with students and citizens. After the suppression of the pro-democracy movement on June 4 of the same year, the “Tiananmen Incident,” Liu was imprisoned on charges of counter-revolution. Even after being released, he remained in China, continuing to advocate for democracy and human rights despite repeated imprisonment and other repression.
In2008, Liu became one of the drafters of the ’08 Charter,’ which advocated for democratization and respect for human rights, but was imprisoned for this reason. While still in prison, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, but his imprisonment continued, and on July 13, 2017, he passed away without ever gaining his freedom.
As we mark the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, I would like to reflect on Liu Xiaobo’s achievements, which greatly influenced the 1989 Chinese democratization movement and subsequent democratization and human rights movements, and consider how to carry on and develop his legacy.
Date and Time: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 16:00~18:00 *Admission passes will be distributed at 15:00, entry at 15:30
Location: House of Representatives First Members’ Office Building, Basement 1st Floor Large Conference Room
,2-2-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
,Access to the First Members’ Office Building
of the House of Representatives ・ ‘In front of the National Diet Building’ Marunouchi Line Chiyoda Line Exit 1 3 min
walk ・ ‘Nagatacho’ Yurakucho Line Namboku Line Hanzomon Line Exit 1 5 min
walk ・ ‘Tameike Sanno’ Namboku Line Ginza Line Exit 5 8 min
walk Admission: ‘House of Representatives First Members’ Office Building’ On the central side of the east front entrance (opposite the back of the National Assembly Building, on National Route 246), next to the guard, there is a staff member holding a poster titled “Who Is Liu Xiaobo—The 36th Anniversary of the 1989/June Tiananmen Incident.” Following their instructions, when you enter the left entrance hall, you will be handed out an “admission pass.”
Moderators: Keitaro Ide (Advisor to the Dialogue China-Japan Branch), Jinzhong Wang (Journalist)
Language: Japanese
Keynote Lecture “Liu Xiaobo’s Thought and Action” Lecturer
: Junko Oikawa (Oikawa Junko)
Professor at Chuo University Faculty of Letters. His areas of expertise are contemporary Chinese society and political social thought. Completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Social and Information Studies, Nihon University. He holds a PhD in Integrated Social Culture. His major publication includes ‘The Discourse Space and Political Culture in Contemporary China’ (Ochanomizu Shobo, 2012). His major co-translated works include ‘Liu Xiaobo and the Future of China’s Democratization’ (Kadensha, 2011), ‘June Fourth and 1989’ (Hakusuisha, 2019), and ‘Learning Liberal Chinese through the ’08 Charter’ (Shukosha, 2019), among others. In recent years, he has also advanced research on the June Fourth and Tiananmen Square incidents from the perspective of arts such as theater and music.
89.4.4.36th Anniversary Tiananmen Incident Memorial Candlelight Night
in Chinese: 89.4.4.4.36th Anniversary Memorial Candlelight
VigilDate:June 3, 2025 (Tuesday) 18:30~19:30
Venue: House of Representatives First Members’ Office Building, Basement 1st Floor Large Conference Room (2-2-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Organizer: “36th Anniversary of the August 9th Tiananmen Square Incident—Who Is Liu Xiaobo?” Executive Committee
Member organizations: Amnesty International Japan China Team, Independent Chinese Pen Association, Asia and China Democratization Forum, Dialogue China Japan Branch, China Democratic United Federation, Democratic China Front
Contact: Wang Jinzhong Tel: 090-2179-9812; E-mail wjzjp1@gmail.com