Since the end of the Second World War, Japan had tried to eliminate the development of a political basis for conflict, he said. To that end, his Government had hosted the World Civilization Forum and the Seminar for Inter-Civilizational Dialogue with the Islamic World. Education had an important role to play in preventing the generation of hostility and hatred, as did the cooperation of mass media. Engaging in interreligious and intercultural dialogue at all levels was crucial and should include the cooperation of the private sector as well.