The Japanese Embassy in Riyadh is holding discussions with Saudi officials to explore the possibility of greater cooperation to further enhance the two countries’ cultural awareness.

Earlier this year, the Japanese Embassy also held events showcasing its culture at the Fashion Fair held in February and the International Book Fair in March. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the Japanese Embassy also held talks last Sunday about the possibility of exhibiting Saudi heritage in Japan.

The meeting, held at the SCTA headquarters, was attended by the SCTA General Supervisor of the National Program for Handicraft Ali Saleg Al-Anbar, Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan and deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia Yasunari Ando and Japanese Embassy Cultural Attache Yoshi Ando.

Al-Anbar explained folk arts in different regions of the Kingdom and how it boosts the country’s tourism by transforming it into tourist products. He also presented a folk arts band from Saudi Arabia.

The Japanese minister responded by emphasizing his readiness to contribute to the development of folk arts and crafts in Saudi Arabia with the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and folk art experts.

He said he had taken to Saudi culture after visiting several cultural festivals and places in the Kingdom including the Janadriya Heritage and Cultural Festival in Riyadh and plans to visit a number of provinces in Saudi Arabia to witness as many folk performances as he can.