Salehi Discusses Boosting Cultural Ties With Japan’s Amb.

Iran’s Culture Minister Seyyed Abbas Salehi met Japanese ambassador to Iran Hiroyasu Kobayashi and discussed boosting cultural ties between the two nations According to correspondent, in this meeting, Iran’s Culture Minister pointed out that participation at Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) as the guest of honor for other countries provides an opportunity for the expansion of cultural relations with Iran. “Tehran Book Fair is among the major cultural events in the Middle East and some million Iranian’s from different regions of the country attend the event,” he said. Referring to 90 years of diplomatic relations as well as the 60th anniversary of signing the first Iran- Japan cultural agreement, Salehi stated: “Historical ties between the two nations date back to ancient times and cultural relations can improve them even further. We must take the best advantage of such an occasion.” He pointed to the accomplishments of Iran in cinema, music, visual arts and dramatic literature saying that the development of cultural ties will pave the way for better understanding of the two great civilizations of Iran and Japan. Kobayashi said for his part that he is pleased with working as the Japanese ambassador to Iran and he enjoys his job. “Iran and Japan have continued ancient historical and cultural relations and many Iranian commodities reached to Japan through the Silk Road,” he added. Japanese ambassador to Iran remarks that in 2015, when Japanese Foreign Minister traveled to Tehran, ‹Iran-Japan Cooperation Council› was founded and led to the formation of six working groups which one of them was sport and culture working group. Its second meeting was held last year when cultural and sports cooperation between the two countries were discussed.