Consulate General of Japan – AsiaNet-Pakistan

May 28, 2014

School visit program by Consulate-General of Japan

Karachi, May 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): On May 28, 2014, the Consulate-General of Japan at Karachi arranged a school visit program for the Hamdard Public School, which took place at the auditorium of the main campus of the Hamdard Public School, in Bin Qasim Town, Karachi.

The school visit program by the Consulate-General of Japan is designed to introduce Japan and Japanese culture to Pakistani students, through presentations on various topics, such as school life in Japan, Japanese food culture, Japanese festivals and so on, followed by cultural workshop, such as Origami workshop, and interactive activities where, for example, students will have opportunities to learn basic Japanese greetings, counting numbers in Japanese and learning how to use chopsticks.

This time, the school visit program to Hamdard Public School was held for students in Grade 9 and 10. A total of 305 students, 145 students from grade 9 and 160 students from Grade 10, participated in the program. A brief general introduction to Japan was given by Ms. Hiroko Tsuchiya, the Consul for Consulate-General of Japan at Karachi, followed by screening of DVDs “Japan Video Topics”, which offers a comprehensive view of Japanese culture, nature, science and technology, and tourism. Interactive lesson for learning basic Japanese greetings was also held.

On this occasion, four Pakistani university students, who have visited Japan this February under the youth exchange program called “JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange of Students and Youths) 2.0” participated in this school visit. They made presentations of their stay in Japan and shared their experiences with the students of the Hamdard Public School.

Students expressed enthusiasm throughout the program and a lively question and answer session was held, in which students’ interests were mainly related to Japanese culture, Japan’s modern technology and some information in regard to studying in Japan.

Ms. Fatima Munir Ahmed, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Hamdard Public School, expressed sincere gratitude to Ms. Tsuchiya, the Consul for Consulate-General of Japan, for conducting this very informative program in which students and faculty members of the Hamdard Public School were able to gain more knowledge and better understanding about Japan.

For more information, contact:
Khurram Sohail
Media Advisor
Consulate General of Japan
6/2 Civil Lines, Abdullah Haroon Road,
Karachi, 75530,
Pakistan
G. P. O. Box No. 3745
TEL: +92-21 3522-0800 (Ext: 134)
FAX: +92-21 3522-0820
Cell: 0345-2397354
Email: khurram.sohail@kr.mofa.go.jp

April 21, 2014

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force destroyers, Sazanami and Samidare was on three-day official visit to Karachi from April 18 to 20, 2014

Karachi, April 21, 2014 (PPI-OT): Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyers, Sazanami (DD-113) and Samidare (DD-106), led by Captain Hiroaki Tajiri, was on three-day official visit to Karachi from April 18 to 20, 2014. The two destroyers were en route to Japan, after completing its anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia.

The Despatched Maritime Force, JMSDF, which had called at the Port of Karachi was the first convoy to participate in the Combined Task Force (CTF-151), a multinational naval coalition including Pakistan Navy, which was established in 2009 for the anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.

Sazanami and Samidare arrived at Port of Karachi on April 18 and were welcomed by Commodore Sajid Mahmood, other officials and Navy Band of Pakistan Navy along with Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mr. Hiroshi Inomata and the Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Akira Ouchi.

During the visit, Captain Tajiri called on Vice-Admiral Khawaja Ghazanfer Hussain, the Commander Karachi, and Vice-Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Saddique, Commander Pakistan Fleet, as well as senior officials of the Pakistan Navy. Both the JMSDF and the Pakistan Navy officers and seamen toured their counterparts’ vessels. Also, JMSDF crews and the Pakistan Navy personnel had friendly sports matches.

On this occasion, the Japanese residents in Karachi had an opportunity to tour the Japanese vessels. The port visit by the JMSDF further strengthened the friendly relationship between the two countries and enhanced defense exchange between Japan and Pakistan.

Sazanami and Samidare had left the Port of Karachi on April 20. The sending off ceremony was attended by Commodore Sajid Mahmood and the Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Akira Ouchi.

September 10, 2013

Ikebana workshop held at Consulate-General of Japan

Islamabad, September 10, 2013 (PPI-OT): On September 9th and 10th, 2013, the Consulate-General of Japan at Karachi and Ikebana International, Karachi Chapter co-organized ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement) workshop at the Japan Information and Culture Center on the occasion of a world-famous ikebana master from Singapore, Mr. Christopher Lim’s visit to Karachi.

During this two-day workshop, around 40 members of Ikebana International, Karachi Chapter have participated each day and enhanced their skills through sessions of ikebana workshop guided by Mr. Lim.

Mr. Akira Ouchi, Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, in his opening speech stated that today, ikebana is an internationally renowned art which is practiced and appreciated by people all around the world, and expressed his delight in seeing ikebana attracting admiration among people from every walk of life in Pakistan.

He emphasized that ikebana is an art which connects people and nature, and both Japanese and Pakistani people share such common cultural values. Mr. Ouchi concluded his speech by stating that the Consulate-General of Japan at Karachi will continue to cooperate with the Japanese cultural organizations, including Ikebana International, Karachi Chapter to conduct activities to introduce Japanese culture to the people in Pakistan, including the traditional art of ikebana, thereby promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan.

Under the organization’s motto “Friendship through flowers”, Ikebana International, Karachi Chapter has been dedicating to the promotion and appreciation of ikebana in Pakistan since its foundation in 1959. Ikebana International has now spread to over 60 countries, with 165 chapters.

The post Ikebana workshop held at Consulate-General of Japan appeared first on AsiaNet-Pakistan.

July 31, 2013August 1, 2013

Japanese Prime Minister to host “Iftar” (fast-breaking Dinner during the Holy Month of Ramazan)

Islamabad, July 31, 2013 (PPI-OT): 1. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will invite the ambassadors of Islamic nations and others to an “Iftar” (fast-breaking dinner during the Holy Month of Ramazan) at the Prime Minister’s Office on the evening of July 31.

2. The purpose of this invitation is to promote mutual understanding between Japan and the Islamic world.

3. About 40* representatives from the Islamic Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo will participate in the Iftar and provide their local cuisines. The first-ever Arab-African sumo wrestler Osunaarashi (Otake stable, Juryo Division) from Dakhalia, Egypt is invited. He attained more wins than losses at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament while fasting as a Muslim during the month of Ramadan.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

June 20, 2013

Consulate General of Japan and Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation co-organises Training Camp at Japan Information and Culture Centre

Karachi, June 20, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Consulate General of Japan at Karachi and Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation co-organized a Ju-Jitsu Training Camp at the Japan Information and Culture Center. Ju-Jitsu is one of the traditional Japanese martial arts.

In this event, 15 young people received qualified training from Mr. Tariq Ali, Camp Commandant and Sports Director of Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation. Afterwards, they demonstrated their brilliant Ju-Jitsu techniques and received certifications for completing the training.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Akira Ouchi, Consul General of Japan, stated that he is happy to see that many Pakistani people are interested in Japanese martial arts and this event would further strengthen the relationship between Japan and Pakistan.

He also acknowledged the efforts of Karachi Ju-Jitsu Association for promoting understanding for a traditional Japanese sport and enhancing its growing interest in Karachi. He expressed his kind regards for Mr. Khalil Ahmed Khan, President Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation, and Mr. Tariq Ali for making the event successful and stated that the Consulate General of Japan will keep supporting the event in future as well.

May 11, 2013May 20, 2013

Japanese Consulate’s Election Observation Mission monitors General Election in Pakistan

Islamabad, May 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): On May 11th, the Consulate General of Japan at Karachi conducted the election observation to monitor the voting at some polling stations in Karachi. Mr. Akira Ouchi, Consul General, along with 2 officials visited selected polling stations and observed Pakistani people casting the ballots.

The Government of Japan decided to support the consolidation of democracy in Pakistan in response to the announcement by the Election Commission of Pakistan that it would welcome international observers.

The mission, headed by Mr. Nobuaki Tanaka, former Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, grouped in teams comprising outside experts, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan as well as the Consulate General of Japan at Karachi. In addition to Karachi, the observation mission teams conducted monitoring in polling stations in Islamabad and various places of Punjab province including Rawalpindi and Lahore.

April 29, 2013

Government of Japan announces foreign recipients of the 2013 Spring Imperial Decorations

Karachi, April 29, 2013 (PPI-OT): On April 29, 2013, the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2013 Spring Imperial Decorations. Among 40 recipients is Prof. Dr. Moinuddin Aqeel, Former Professor, Department of Urdu, University of Karachi, who will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his significant contributions to the friendship and mutual understanding between Pakistan and Japan.

Prof. Aqeel has made significant efforts for promoting the education of the Urdu language in Japan. From 1993 to 2000, he was a visiting professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Daito Bunka University, and afterwards engaged as research fellow at two universities: Osaka University and Kyoto University in Japan.

He has not only published Urdu language textbooks in Japan, but has also written several research papers and articles on studies on Islam, Pakistan and Urdu language and literature in Japan, which can be also read in his recently-published book “Mashriq-e-Taban (Shining East)”.

He has also been a professor at the University of Karachi until 2006 and a dean of Faculty of Languages and Literature at the International Islamic University, Islamabad from 2008 to 2010. Also, as a founder member of Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association, Sindh, he has been engaged in promoting cultural and academic exchanges between Pakistan and Japan.