Bridging bonds that go through thick and thin

Parallel to Takahashi's contributions, Zhang Shuzhou's journey from Tianjin to Kobe has been instrumental in fostering cultural exchanges and education.

Zhang, vice-chairman of the International Music Association in Kobe and honorary principal of Kobe Chinese School, arrived in Kobe in January 1989. After studying in a Japanese language school, he was admitted to Hyogo University of Teacher Education, where he obtained a master's degree in education.

In 1995, Zhang began teaching at Kobe Chinese School, which was established by the local overseas Chinese under the initiative of Liang Qichao, a prominent early 20th-century Chinese scholar. In 2016, Zhang became the school's principal.

Under Zhang's leadership, Kobe Chinese School underwent a transformative shift in its Chinese language education. Moving away from traditional textbooks authored by its own teachers, Zhang introduced innovative materials from the College of Chinese Language and Culture at Jinan University in South China's Guangdong province.

"The effect was profound," he said. "With the adoption of new textbooks and teaching methods, the school witnessed a qualitative improvement in Chinese education. Students became more engaged, actively interacting with teachers in class and showing a newfound enthusiasm for learning the language."

Zhang's leadership extended beyond education into the realm of cultural exchange through his active role in the overseas Chinese community in Kobe. Under his guidance, the International Music Association organized landmark events, such as a concert commemorating pivotal milestones in Sino-Japanese relations.

"Overseas Chinese have been rooted in Kobe for more than 150 years, and they have become one of the important parts of the bond between the two countries. Sino-Japanese friendship begins at the grassroots level, and the future of China and Japan relies on the younger generation," he said.

Cao Guangzhang, an associate professor at the Institute of Contemporary China Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "People-to-people exchanges can deepen understanding and respect for cultural differences, and on this basis, help discover or establish shared ideas and values. This process is key to building long-term, deep, and enduring relationships."

Yang Cheng in Tianjin contributed to this story.