Laughter and applause burst out at the 2025 Xinjiang Tourism Development Conference as 83-year-old Japanese monk Yasutaka Kojima, Xinjiang's cultural advisor, expressed his delight at the region's changes in fluent Chinese.

"Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has undergone tremendous changes in the new era. As an old friend of its people of all ethnic groups, I feel—very—happy," he delivered these words with deliberate emphasis, at the conference held in Kuche (Kuqa) City, Aksu Prefecture, on May 25.

For over four decades, the life of this Japanese man, clad in blue and saffron robes, has been inextricably linked to the region.

A 40-year bond

Kojima's connection with Xinjiang is both deep and truly unique. A 1966 graduate of Kyoto's Bukkyo University, he initially built a comfortable life as a gemstone merchant in Japan. He made his first trip to Xinjiang in 1982 for a jewelry venture, while the region's breathtaking landscape captivated him like a newly discovered gem. In that moment, an unbreakable bond was forged.

In 1986, he traveled to Kuche to visit the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, China's earliest large-scale cave complex, and was immediately attracted by this treasure trove of history and culture.

In 1987, at the peak of his career, Kojima made a life transition: He shaved his head bald, became a Buddhist monk, and dedicated himself to deepening the ties between Japan and Xinjiang in China.

To date, he has visited the region over 150 times. "Xinjiang is now my second home," Kojima said in both Chinese and Japanese.

Guardian of cultural heritage

When Kojima first visited the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves in Kuche, he was deeply captivated by its history but also concerned with its dilapidated state.

Kuche, known as Qiuci in ancient times, was a key hub along the Silk Road, at a crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures. Around the first century, Buddhism was introduced to central China via the Western Regions, and Kuche became a renowned Buddhist sanctuary. [From the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) to the middle and late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Western Regions included the vast areas north and south of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang—Ed.]

From the third to the ninth century, Buddhism flourished in areas of present-day south Xinjiang, such as Kuche, Hetian (Hotan) and Kashi (Kashgar). Temples were abundant, monks gathered in the region in large numbers. The renowned translator Kumarajiva embarked on his journey to central China from here, and the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves were also constructed during this period.

After enduring centuries of weathering, the caves still display exquisite murals that blend elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, ancient Indian and ancient Greek cultures, narrating the glorious past of the ancient Qiuci State—as a melting pot of Eastern and Western influences.

Of course, due to the passage of time, erosion and frequent conflicts in the Western Regions, the caves have suffered severe damage over the millennia.

"At the time, I proposed donating 100,000 yuan (about $28,985 back then) to help restore the caves. China had just begun its reform and opening-up efforts [getting underway in 1978], and 100,000 yuan was no small sum. No one dared to accept this foreign donation; but in the end, it was approved by Wang Enmao, then Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee," he recalled. "Later, when I heard that China planned a comprehensive restoration of the caves, I mobilized Japanese donors to contribute over 100 million yen (about $695,000) for the caves' preservation."

"Today, the site has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and become a major tourist attraction, drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors each year. As the 109th-generation disciple of Kumarajiva, seeing its revival fills me with joy," Kojima said during his speech at the conference.

Kojima's efforts didn't stop there. Later, he learned about two other cultural heritage sites in Xinjiang: the ancient city of Loulan in south Xinjiang and the Niya site on the southern edge of the Tarim Basin. The Niya site, in particular, was vast but had not yet undergone basic archaeological exploration. He then proposed a joint China-Japan scientific expedition to the site.

After years of effort, the site unearthed a Han Dynasty brocade armband embroidered with the words "Five stars rise in the east, benefiting China" in 1995—hailed as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of 20th-century China.

"The ethnic groups of Xinjiang once created a glorious civilization here," Kojima reflected. "Today, they are jointly writing a new chapter, showcasing the region's vitality to the world."

Nurturing people

For four decades, Kojima has served as a cultural ambassador, fostering friendship between China and Japan. Beyond preserving ancient heritage, he has invested in Xinjiang's future through education. Using his personal savings and network accumulated over years in business, Kojima has collaborated with like-minded individuals in Japan to make selfless donations to Xinjiang's cultural and educational causes.

Since 1986, Kojima has provided scholarships to Xinjiang University. Initially set at 25 yuan ($7.2 back then) for each recipient every month, the scholarship could cover a student's living expenses at the time. By 2023, his scholarship program had supported 4,679 teachers and students, totaling over 47 million yen (about $326,273). In 1995, he donated 2 million yuan ($240,960 back then) to poverty alleviation efforts in south Xinjiang. And since 1998, his cultural heritage award has recognized 400 individuals for their contributions to preserving local traditions.

Numbers may seem cold, but behind each figure lies the lifelong passion of this Japanese man for Xinjiang and China at large—sincere and moving. Kojima said, "What I offer is not money, but my heart."

China has reciprocated his dedication. Kojima has been hailed as the "modern-day Abe no Nakamaro"—an ambassador of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). According to newspaper People's Daily, he has received honors from the former Ministry of Culture and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the title of honorary resident of Urumqi. In 2001 and 2023, respectively, the Xinjiang local government held special activities to honor his years of friendship with the region.

Telling the story of modern Xinjiang

Before his latest trip, Kojima met with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, who praised his contributions and encouraged him to continue promoting bilateral ties. "Though I am old, I will spare no effort for Xinjiang," Kojima vowed.

Over the years, he has led over 60 Japanese delegations to Xinjiang, with many visitors returning repeatedly. In Japan, he tirelessly promotes the region—not just its history but its modern achievements, using facts to help the Japanese public understand the real Xinjiang.

Many Japanese still know little more about Xinjiang other than that it was a stop along the ancient Silk Road, Kojima said, emphasizing the need to not only introduce its traditions and history but also its progress—today's Xinjiang with its delicious food, stunning landscapes, cultural charm and urban growth.

He hopes to introduce Xinjiang's beauty to the world. "In Japan, I will continue to work hard to promote the image of Xinjiang," he said.

At the 2025 tourism development conference, Xinjiang unveiled ambitious plans to transform its cultural and tourism industries. It released a five-year plan, aiming to host more than 400 million annual visits and generate 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) in revenue by 2030. It outlined strategies to develop and integrate three dominant industry chains: culture, tourism and sport.

When asked about his wish for the future, the 83-year-old smiled: "My time is limited. When I pass away, I wish to be buried in the Taklimakan Desert of Xinjiang. And my family has agreed." 

The author is a reporter with the People's China magazine

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