‘Saudi Colors’ commemorates six decades of ties with Japan

Japan took part in this year’s “Saudi Colors” forum, the largest photography and short films expo, in the Kingdom for tourism, culture and heritage. This is the third edition of the forum, and as part of this year’s events, organizers commemorated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The forum was held under the patronage of Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), the expo’s organizer. The Japanese Embassy in Riyadh represented the Far-East Asian country at the week-long event, with Katsuhiko Takahashi, the embassy’s charge d’affaires, and his wife, attending the opening ceremony on Dec. 14.
Tsuyoshi Ando, head of the cultural and educational section at the Japanese Embassy, told Arab News on Monday that even though Japan has participated in the forum since its second edition, this year was a special occasion.
“Our participation in the forum is part of the events prepared to commemorate the upcoming 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-Saudi diplomatic relations, in 2015,” Ando said.
The delegate stressed that this year’s expo was a success in terms of acquainting Saudis with Japan’s culture, after throngs of visitors enjoyed the pictures on display at their booth.
Ando underlined the growing ties between the Kingdom and Japan, which according to the diplomat, represent the depth of the bilateral relationship and the width of the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Another six embassies joined Japan at the forum this year, at a special pavilion set aside for international participants, including photographers and diplomats.