Visitors at the exhibition. (Photo: VNA) The exhibition is part of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (1973-2023) andthe 118th anniversary of Dong Du movement, which was initiated byPhan Boi Chau in early 20th century to encourage young Vietnamese to go East tostudy and seek ways to salvage the nation.
Meanwhile, Asaba Sakitaro, born in 1910 in Higashi Asabavillage, Fukuroi, was a famous doctor who established Odawara Hospital, wherehe met Chau. The doctor gave Chau great support when he was in Japan.
Director of the department Phan Thanh Hai highlighted the life and career of Chau,describing him as a cultural ambassador connecting Vietnam and Japan and one ofthe first contributors to the friendship and diplomatic relations between thetwo countries.
Hundreds of images, documents and items at the exhibition give visitors a deeper insight of the Vietnamese revolutionary as well as hisfriendship with Asaba Sakitaro, Dong Du movement and the Vietnam-Japanpartnership.
They aimed to educate patriotism and national pride among theyouth, while contributing to fostering the friendship and cooperation betweenVietnam and Japan.
Phan Boi Chau, born in 1867, was a pioneer of Vietnamese20th century nationalism. In response to the Dong Du movement, hundreds ofVietnamese students went to study in Japan in a hope that they could helpreform the country in return. When the movement faced difficulties in 1908,Chau received whole-hearted support from the doctor and other people inFukuroi.
After leaving Japan, Chau continued his activities inseveral countries. In 1918, he returned to Japan and learnt that his friendpassed away nine years earlier. Chau and people in Fukuroi raised funds for amemorial stele of the late doctor near his tomb, which is now a culturalheritage of the city.
Although the Dong Du movement failed and those students hadto go home, what Asaba Sakitaro and Fukuroi residents had done for Chau and hisfollowers remains forever in the Vietnamese people’s hearts.
The Phan Boi Chau monument area in Hue city where Phan BoiChau spent his last years is keeping a large number of documents and itemsrelated to the nationalist figure. In 2010, people of Fukuroi and Hue came tothe place and build a stele marking Vietnam-Japan relations and the DongDu movement./.
VNA
