**********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs began its duty visit in Tokyo, Japan yesterday (August 5) to study government and community-driven initiatives in the promotion of cultural software and preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
On its first day of visit in Tokyo, the delegation visited the Japan Foundation for Regional Art Activities to understand its various initiatives to promote regional development through creative cultural activities, and met with officials of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to study the policy on the development of cultural software. Members of the delegation then attended a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Tokyo to meet with parliamentarians to exchange views on various issues related to the development of culture and the arts.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties to study the implementation of measures to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo to discuss the work of the Museum in promoting the arts and culture to the community, in particular the education programmes for children.
The delegation will visit the Japan Arts Council, the National Theatre, the New National Theatre, the National Art Center, and the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts Japan today (August 6).
The delegation is led by Hon Ip Kwok-him, Chairman of the Panel on Home Affairs. Other members include Hon Kam Nai-wai, Hon James To Kun-sun, Dr Hon Philip Wong Yu-hong, Hon Emily Lau Wai-hing, Hon Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, Hon Cyd Ho, Hon Wong Sing-chi, Hon Tanya Chan, Hon Wong Yuk-man, Hon Wong Ting-kwong, and Hon Starry Lee.
Ends/Friday, August 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:03
NNNN