China: Homma-san Gives Lecture at Peking University on Becoming a Bridge between China and Japan

Executive Vice President Homma, Group Regional Head for China & Northeast Asia, gave a lecture themed on becoming a bridge between China and Japan at Peking University on March 4. The lecture was jointly organized by the Department of Japanese Language and Culture of the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University and by the Matsushita Memorial Hall (Beijing, China). The lecture was attended by administrators, faculty, and about 100 students of the university's School of Foreign Languages, School of Economics, Office of Humanities and Social Sciences, and other departments, along with Zhao Bingdi, Vice President of PEX CNA, Xu Haibo, Director of the Government Affairs and External Relations Sector, and Yin Xiaowei, Director of the Matsushita Memorial Hall.

Prior to the lecture, Homma met and talked with Vice President Fang Fang of Peking University. He stated his appreciation for having the chance to give the lecture and reviewed talent development and cultural exchange activities with the university so far as well as the diverse outcomes of collaboration in new technology applications and other areas, and expressed his hope to continue working for the economic development of and cultural exchange between both China and Japan. Vice President Fang Fang expressed his appreciation for support from the Panasonic Group to the university and stated his expectation for even greater exchanges between faculty and students of the university with many Japanese companies.

In a preamble to the lecture, Li Shujing, Secretary of the Department of Japanese Language and Culture (School of Foreign Languages), spoke about the close ties between the department and Panasonic, noting with particular appreciation the precious opportunity afforded to the students to provide interpreting at the Special Exhibition on the Management Philosophy held at the Matsushita Memorial Hall, and his expectations for ongoing cooperative relationships.

In his lecture, Homma introduced our founder, Konosuke Matsushita, and gave an overview of the Panasonic Group's business in China. He talked of his own personal ties to and life in China, and called on the students to "Actively engage in exchange with other cultures and take the courage to contribute to building friendly ties between both countries, in the spirit of 'seeing once for oneself is better than hearing from others a hundred times,'" referring to a Chinese saying with this meaning.

After the end of the lecture, Homma discussed various issues with the students. "I hope this sort of close and honest exchange will encourage youth to take action and form a basis for understanding and trust between both countries," he stated.

Finally, the School of Foreign Languages presented Homma with a letter of appreciation. Wang Wan, a professor of the School of Economics, recounted exchanges with Panasonic so far and praised Homma and other employees of the company for their involvement in business in China. Chu Xiaobo, head of the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences, called on students to learn what Japan is really like, and stated his hope for even friendlier relations between Peking University and the Panasonic Group, and between both China and Japan.

Panasonic Group companies in China will further strengthen cooperative relationships with Peking University and create more opportunities for friendly relationships between youth in both countries.