Tokyo, November 7: The Tibetan leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed for his exile home India, Saturday morning from Tokyo Narita Airport.

On the last day of his 13th visit to the island nation, His Holiness met briefly with Tibetans living in Japan.

Advising the small gathering to ‘always remember that they were representatives of Tibetan in Tibet,’ the exiled Tibetan leader said, “small internal problems should never eclipse our larger interest. Meet often, be transparent and talk.”

Paying obeisance to the sacrifices Tibetans in Tibet continue to make, His Holiness said, “it is their sacrifices and integrity that has kept the issue of Tibet alive in the world today.”

The Tibetan leader visited Japan at the invitation of Shikoku Buddhist Association (Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, Tokushima) and Okinawa Mahabodhi Association.

During his nine-days of stay, His Holiness paid visits to pilgrimage sites and met with the public for talks and discussions on several occasions in four different provinces.

His Holiness also met various religious leaders and Japanese lawmakers in private capacity.

“We are very fortunate to be able to seek blessings and listen to our leader in a free country. We will try our best to fulfill the ultimate aspiration of the Tibetan people of seating His Holiness back on the lion-throne in Potala Palace,” said Tsering, a Tibetan living in Japan after the brief talk.

Speaking to the visiting group of Tibetan journalists from Dharamshala, founder chairman of the Parliamentarians Group for Tibet of the Diet, the Japanese Parliament, Makino Seisyo said, “I am hopeful that now with Yukio Hatoyama as the Prime Minister, Japan will be more supportive of the reconciliatory approach of the Dalai Lama.”

“I wish one day Japan will officially invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit our country,” Makino added.