In 2008, the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund began a pilot program, on the theme of 'Food Safety', in which new selection methods and formats of exchange were attempted in the field of human resources in collaboration with various partner organizations. In contrast to more traditional efforts made by governments and exchange organizations, the program was successful in inviting Chinese professionals to Japan. In 2009, the fund achieved further success in a program on the theme of ‘Novel frameworks for international cooperation in finance'. Participants in the program included persons from Japan and China engaged in finance, money and banking. On the basis of experience gained during this project, the fund will invite to Japan young leaders from the Chinese Government, Communist Party, Communist Youth League and other organizations, who play a leading role in Chinese politics at party and government level. Heading the party of visitors will be an influential figure in the Chinese government or member of a political party. During their stay in Japan, the party will attend symposia on themes of particular interest to both Japan and China, and will take part in discussions with young Japanese politicians, administrative officials, researchers, and members of the press. Through these activities, the fund will attempt to provide a platform for lateral discussion between persons involved in Chinese and Japanese politics. A compilation of presentations given at the symposia and documents containing proposals for practical cooperation will be made on the basis of project results to date. These materials will then be presented to political parties and governmental institutions in both countries. To further disseminate information obtained in the course of the project, details of the exchange will be included in official publications and uploaded to websites of political parties and the government in China and Japan. Through this project, the fund will aim to surpass difficulties previously encountered in people exchange programs and build networks between young future leaders from Japan and China.

This year, the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund will carry out the following activities in cooperation with the China Association for International Friendly Contact.

• Invitation of parties to Japan：
  Around fifteen young officers from the Chinese Communist Party and government institutions and secretariat members from China Association for International Friendly Contact will be invited to Japan.
• Project activities：
  
  • A symposium on a theme of particular interest to both countries will be held in Tokyo with the cooperation of experts in the field.
  • In the interests of creating goodwill, the group will be provided with opportunities to discuss various issues with Japanese politicians, governmental officials and members of the press.
  • The group will attend lectures at universities and educational institutions and exchange opinions with academics and students.
  • To publicize the project, details of the exchange will be made available to members of the printed and digital media in Japan and China.
  • Reports of the symposia and proposals regarding practical cooperation will be prepared and presented to party and government-affiliated organizations. Through this exchange, the fund will attempt to provide a platform for lateral discussion between persons involved in Chinese and Japanese politics.
• Outsourced activities：
  All preparatory activities to be carried out in China, such as selection of group members, joint planning of exchange during the Japan visit, creation/translation of summaries and reports following the visit, arrangement of international air tickets, organization of lodging in Japan and travel insurance, will be outsourced to the China Association for International Friendly Contact.
• Cooperation with related organizations：
  In hosting the symposia and planning/implementing a portion of the exchange activities, assistance will be sought from the heads of related organizations, thus strengthening links with the organizations and improving the project.