Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar and Japanese Ambassador Norihiro Okuda at Japanese National Day celebrations in Riyadh.

The Japanese community joined their diplomatic mission here to celebrate their National Day, marking the occasion with patriotic enthusiasm.

Japanese Ambassador Norihiro Okuda hosted the National Day reception to celebrate the 82th birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar graced the function organized at the ambassador’s residence in the Diplomatic Quarter. The event was also attended by many Saudi government officials and representatives from diplomatic corps.

Speaking on the occasion, Okuda said that Akihito, the 125th emperor of Japan, has been working tirelessly to carry out his official duties ever since his accession to the throne 27 years ago as a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan.

“It is worth mentioning here that even four years after the huge earthquake and tsunami that hit eastern Japan, we still vividly remember him getting sincerely engaged with consoling and cheering up the affected people by visiting a number of afflicted areas soon after the disaster, which demonstrates the fact that he is always trying to be with his people whenever they face difficulties and thus enjoys great respect from Japanese nationals,” he said.

The envoy said that the Kingdom and Japan share something in common in this sense as they both have our monarchs who are well-respected by their citizens.

“2015 marks 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia,” he said. “We truly look forward to further promoting mutual understanding between the two countries by enhancing heart-to-heart relationship between the citizens of the two countries though cultural exchanges.” “I am deeply impressed by the positive roles which the Kingdom has been playing in diplomacy both at the regional and international levels,” he said.

The Japanese ambassador signed off wishing good health and prosperity to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The Japanese Embassy holds various cultural events every year to introduce modern and traditional Japanese culture on the National Day.

This year, the works of Nishijin-ori, a textile which is woven using traditional artistic techniques developed in the ancient Japanese capital, Kyoto, were displayed, and it was well received among Saudi and foreign guests.

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