Pak-Japan friendship: Of Wadaiko, kimonos and aid

Japanese embassy celebrate 60 years of friendship with Pakistan.


Our Correspondent October 21, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


Pakistan and Japan’s 60 year-long diplomatic relationship was celebrated at the Pakistan National Council of Arts through informative presentations on how Japanese projects have benefited Pakistan, coupled with energetic performances by musicians and schoolchildren.


It was shared that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is one of the biggest donor agency in the world and has supported several projects in Pakistan since the 1980’s.

Japanese representatives were also present at the event, most notably Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Oe and JICA Chief Representative Takatoshi Nishikata. The ambassador noted that such events are imperative to strengthen ties between countries and promote cultural exchange. “I am glad that we are celebrating the culture of our countries, the work we have done together and our friendship. This is only the beginning of many productive feats that we will accomplish together in Pakistan,” he said.

Nishikata shared in his speech that JICA initiated a training programme for Pakistan in 1954 and has trained more than 4,000 government officials from different ministries and departments in Japan to date.

The event took a more festive turn with a lively Wadaiko drum performance from students of Islamabad Japanese School.

The schoolchildren also performed a song and dance wearing traditional Japanese kimonos. The students swayed gently from side-to-side as they sang about friendship and prosperity.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2012. 

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