Our Hong Kong Stories Series - Cultural Dialogue with Keiko Fukuda: "China and Japan’s Deep Cultural Ties Highlight Need to Strengthen People-to-People Exchanges"
Our Hong Kong Stories Series - Cultural Dialogue with Keiko Fukuda: "China and Japan’s Deep Cultural Ties Highlight Need to Strengthen People-to-People Exchanges"
(26 June 2025, Hong Kong) Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) hosted "Our Hong Kong Stories," featuring Ms Keiko Fukuda, President of NPO Hong Kong WAKYOKAI LTD and Director of The Japan Society of Hong Kong, as the keynote speaker, to share her three-decade professional journey in Hong Kong and insights from fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
Combining her deep academic background in cultural anthropology with multilingual proficiency, Keiko has successfully bridged cultural divides in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. She highlighted the local energy and cultural richness that she found both enchanting and instrumental in enabling her to build a professional life here.
The Sharing session was honoured to have the gracious presence of the President of OHKF, Dr Jane Lee, with her opening remarks, Ms Jienan Han, Director of iCube, HKU, to deliver the welcoming remarks and Ms Keiko Fukuda as the keynote speaker. In the panel session, Mr Philip N L Chen, Advisor of OHKF and Independent Non-Executive Director of Hang Lung Properties Limited, and Mr Jason Chen, Co-Founder and CEO of Wada FoodTech, were invited as panellists. Mr Calvin Au, Senior Research Manager of OHKF, moderated the discussion.
In her opening remarks, Dr Lee said, “Today’s event truly reflects our mission of connecting the world through cultural exchange. Hong Kong has always been a place where East meets West and different cultures come together. As we listen to the stories and insights shared today, let us reflect on how Hong Kong’s diversity allows us to learn from one another. By connecting with the world, we could challenge assumptions, and create new opportunities, especially for those seeking to make a difference across borders.”
Addressing the audience with the welcoming speech, Ms Han said, “Through it all, this city (Hong Kong) embraced me, it taught me that diversity is not just tolerated here but also celebrated. It is woven into our identity, and it's our greatest strength. Our city is enriched by the courage, creativity, and contributions of people from all walks of life. Each journey adds a thread.”
Ms Keiko Fukuda expressed in her speech that within the Japanese language, traditional clothing, and various other aspects of Japanese culture, there exists a core DNA of Chinese influence. “I am wearing Japan's traditional ethnic garment—the kimono. I love kimonos very much and often wear them in Hong Kong as well. The kimono is called ‘gofuku’(吳服). The reason is that the silk fabrics used in Japanese kimonos were introduced to Japan during the era of the Wu (吳) Kingdom in China's Three Kingdoms period. In fact, to commemorate the kimono's introduction from the Wu (吳) era, Japan still widely refers to it as ‘gofuku’ (吳服) today.”
Speaking of global geopolitical tensions, Ms Keiko Fukuda believed that the way to build unbreakable bonds of friendship between China and Japan lies not in political treaties or economic agreements, but in grassroots cultural exchange. She further commented, “Even if Sino-Japanese relations face turbulence due to political issues, as long as cultural exchange remains strong, the relationship between our countries will stand firm. That is why I have made it my life mission to promote Hong Kong-Japan cultural exchange and continue dedicating myself to these activities.”
In panel discussion, Mr Philip Chen said that the Japanese are very proud of their own culture and very proud of their heritage, while he believed that Chinese people, Hong Kong people in particular, should take pride in who they are too.” Another panellist, Mr Jason Chen, said that “One of the strongest bonds we built between Hong Kong and Japan during our entrepreneurship journey was the deep connection we developed as we overcame challenges together. Behind that bond, I believe, lies something we share in our hearts — a passion for making life better for people, whether they are from Hong Kong or Japan.”
The Sharing session attracted a full house of attendees, including entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and industry pioneers and strong support from a wide range of sectors, including Hara Model Railway Museum, HEENA Circle, The Japan Society of Hong Kong, and NPO Hong Kong WAKYOKAI LTD as the supporting organisation, and HKU iCube as the venue sponsor.
(26 June 2025, Hong Kong) Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) hosted "Our Hong Kong Stories," featuring Ms Keiko Fukuda, President of NPO Hong Kong WAKYOKAI LTD and Director of The Japan Society of Hong Kong, as the keynote speaker, to share her three-decade professional journey in Hong Kong and insights from fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
Combining her deep academic background in cultural anthropology with multilingual proficiency, Keiko has successfully bridged cultural divides in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. She highlighted the local energy and cultural richness that she found both enchanting and instrumental in enabling her to build a professional life here.
The Sharing session was honoured to have the gracious presence of the President of OHKF, Dr Jane Lee, with her opening remarks, Ms Jienan Han, Director of iCube, HKU, to deliver the welcoming remarks and Ms Keiko Fukuda as the keynote speaker. In the panel session, Mr Philip N L Chen, Advisor of OHKF and Independent Non-Executive Director of Hang Lung Properties Limited, and Mr Jason Chen, Co-Founder and CEO of Wada FoodTech, were invited as panellists. Mr Calvin Au, Senior Research Manager of OHKF, moderated the discussion.
In her opening remarks, Dr Lee said, “Today’s event truly reflects our mission of connecting the world through cultural exchange. Hong Kong has always been a place where East meets West and different cultures come together. As we listen to the stories and insights shared today, let us reflect on how Hong Kong’s diversity allows us to learn from one another. By connecting with the world, we could challenge assumptions, and create new opportunities, especially for those seeking to make a difference across borders.”
Addressing the audience with the welcoming speech, Ms Han said, “Through it all, this city (Hong Kong) embraced me, it taught me that diversity is not just tolerated here but also celebrated. It is woven into our identity, and it's our greatest strength. Our city is enriched by the courage, creativity, and contributions of people from all walks of life. Each journey adds a thread.”
Ms Keiko Fukuda expressed in her speech that within the Japanese language, traditional clothing, and various other aspects of Japanese culture, there exists a core DNA of Chinese influence. “I am wearing Japan's traditional ethnic garment—the kimono. I love kimonos very much and often wear them in Hong Kong as well. The kimono is called ‘gofuku’(吳服). The reason is that the silk fabrics used in Japanese kimonos were introduced to Japan during the era of the Wu (吳) Kingdom in China's Three Kingdoms period. In fact, to commemorate the kimono's introduction from the Wu (吳) era, Japan still widely refers to it as ‘gofuku’ (吳服) today.”
Speaking of global geopolitical tensions, Ms Keiko Fukuda believed that the way to build unbreakable bonds of friendship between China and Japan lies not in political treaties or economic agreements, but in grassroots cultural exchange. She further commented, “Even if Sino-Japanese relations face turbulence due to political issues, as long as cultural exchange remains strong, the relationship between our countries will stand firm. That is why I have made it my life mission to promote Hong Kong-Japan cultural exchange and continue dedicating myself to these activities.”
In panel discussion, Mr Philip Chen said that the Japanese are very proud of their own culture and very proud of their heritage, while he believed that Chinese people, Hong Kong people in particular, should take pride in who they are too.” Another panellist, Mr Jason Chen, said that “One of the strongest bonds we built between Hong Kong and Japan during our entrepreneurship journey was the deep connection we developed as we overcame challenges together. Behind that bond, I believe, lies something we share in our hearts — a passion for making life better for people, whether they are from Hong Kong or Japan.”
The Sharing session attracted a full house of attendees, including entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and industry pioneers and strong support from a wide range of sectors, including Hara Model Railway Museum, HEENA Circle, The Japan Society of Hong Kong, and NPO Hong Kong WAKYOKAI LTD as the supporting organisation, and HKU iCube as the venue sponsor.
