Charge’ d’Affaires of Japanese Embassy Katsuhiko Takahashi speaks at the opening of the exhibition on modern Japanese architecture.

The Embassy of Japan in cooperation with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) opened a photo exhibition of Japanese modern architecture “Kumamoto Artpolis” at the National Museum on Wednesday night.

The exhibition is being held under the patronage of SCTA President Prince Sultan bin Salman on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and Saudi officials. Meshari Al-Naeem, general supervisor of National Urban Heritage Center moderated was also present.

The exhibition will continue until Feb. 4 and then will continue in Dammam University on Feb. 15-19.

“Kumamoto” is the name of the prefecture located in the west of Japan, on the island of Kyushu. An architectural movement called “Kumamoto Artpolis” was started in 1988 on the initiative of the governor of Kumamoto at the time, Morihiro Hosokawa.

He later became Prime Minister of Japan in 1993. This exhibition aims to introduce not only modern architecture itself, but also the Japanese lifestyle through the construction of houses, schools, police stations and even public toilets.

Speaking on the occasion, Charge’ d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy Katsuhiko Takahashi said, “Communication and cultural exchange between the two countries have contributed to the development and strengthening of our relationship for the past 60 years.

The Embassy of Japan aims to expand the cultural exchange further and Kumamoto Artpolis is one of the ways to achieve that goal. We hope this exhibition will offer an opportunity to visitors to think about the linkage between architecture and vitalizing the local community. We also hope that this exhibition provides Saudi people with a new dimension for understanding Japan and its people.”

He said that the Embassy of Japan has received lots of support from SCTA and the National Museum in various programs in the past, in addition to this exhibition.

“We wish to continue cooperating with each other and further strengthen this relationship during 2015 and beyond,” he said.

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