Iran, Japan Pledge to Expand Cultural Relations

The Japanese official made the remarks on Tuesday evening in Tokyo, during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Japan Morteza Rahmani-Movahed.

Kitaoka called for development of Iran studies academic programs in Japan, saying that such university projects can contribute to bilateral cultural relations. He asserted that the JICA supports such studies.

Referring to the multi-centenarian Iranian collection at Nara museum, the Japanese official said the existence of such cultural data-x-items attests that the bilateral ties are historical dating back to the ancient Silk Road era.

The Iranian diplomat, for his part in this meeting, echoed similar ideas and highlighted that the long-lasting and friendly relations between Tehran and Tokyo needed care.

 Iran and Japan have made preparations to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the next year, concurrent with the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Japanese embassy in Tehran.

JICA senior Executive Vice President, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, said that Japan is ready to give its experience in the field of tourism to Iran, adding that JICA has contributed to the comprehensive tourism plan of Tabriz 2018.

Referring to Iran's potentials, including its ancient monuments, he said that Iran has the needed capacities for developing its tourism sector.

A senior advisor to Japan's foreign minister said on September 20 that Iran played a special role in the geopolitics of the Middle East, stressing that the Islamic Republic contributes undeniable influence in the establishment of stability and security in the region.

Akitaka Saiki, who also heads the Japanese Middle East Research Institute, lauded the history of Iran and Japan's several hundred years of relationship.

Earlier in mid-September, Japanese Environment Minister Masaharu Nakagawa in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Tokyo Morteza Rahmani Movahed voiced his country's readiness to provide assistance to Iran in different fields, environmental protection in particular.

Back in late August, Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima underscored his country's willingness to increase cooperation and strengthen relations with Iran.

Tokyo is willing to widen all-out ties, the parliamentary cooperation in particular, with Tehran, Tadamori said in a meeting with Rahmani Movahhed.

Japanese and Iranian parliaments play an important role in promotion of bilateral ties, he added.

Japan is eager to enhance cooperation with Iran, Tadamori underlined.

He also reiterated Japan's support for the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.

In a related front in in August 2017, Japanese Minister of Economy Hiroshige Sekō stressed Tokyo’s plans for developing economic cooperation with Iran and providing the necessary supports in this regard.

"We are looking for broadening of economic and trade ties with Iran," the Japanese envoy said in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi in Tokyo.

Sekō also voiced Japan’s strong support for the successful implementation of Iran’s nuclear deal, dubbed a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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