PR and Culture Event in 2011

December 12-22 International Bookfair

The Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation set up the Japan booth in 22nd Doha International Book Fair held at Qatar International Exhibition Center. At the opening ceremony, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Monji showed the Japan booth to H.E. Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage. It was a great opportunity to introduce Japan through various kinds of Japanese books such as children books, literature, academic books, manga, and photo collections. During the book fair, Origami course and Japanese calligraphy demonstration at the Japan booth attracted a number of visitors.

 

December 1 Judo Demonstration

On January 1 (Thursday), the Judo demonstration was held at the special stage outside the food court in Hyatt Plaza, co-organized by the Embassy of Japan, Japan Foundation and Hyatt Plaza. Mr. Yukiharu Yoshitaka, International Judo Gold Medalist in the United States, France, Germany etc and Mr. Hajime Kojima (Volunteer Judo coach and Japanese school teacher) took a strong initiative to lead the demonstration. Hundreds of people gathered and many spectators including children actually practiced Judo. Mr. Yoshitaka was invited to Doha in order to give a special lecture and training for Judo coaches and players who belong to the Qatar Taekwondo and Judo Federation and contributed to promote Japanese Martial Art in Doha.

 

November 28 Koshino Junko's Visit to Doha

On 28 November, Worldwide famous fashion designer Koshino Junko visited Doha and the reception was held with the presence of artists in Doha.

 

November 23-24 Street Performance of Japanese Silent Comedy Duo “Gamarjobat”

The Embassy of Japan in cooperation with Souq Waqif held a street performance show by Japanese silent comedy duo “Gamarjobat” at Souq Waqif. “Gamarjobat”, which is selected as one of the “100 respected Japanese in the world” by Newsweek Japan, has performed in 28 countries and this was their first street performance in the Middle East. Each of two sessions at Souq Waqif gathered more than 300 people. The audiences enjoyed the live atmosphere and unique performance of “Gamarjobat”. On the day before performance, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Monji and Mrs. Monji hosted a welcome reception for “Gamarjobat” inviting Ambassadors, Qatari officials, businessmen, those involved in theater, and media. This reception was a good opportunity to introduce the diversity of Japanese culture and arts.

 

November 22 Qatar Peace and Sport Table Tennis Cup

Qatar Peace and Sport Table Tennis Cup, a sports event for friendships and exchanges among nations through doubles composed of players from different countries, was held at Aspire Sports Academy. Ten countries (Japan, China, South Korea, North Korea, India, Pakistan,　France, Russia, the United States, and Qatar) participated in this cup. Japanese players, Mr. Kaii Yoshida and Ms. Natsumi Miyake, paired up with French players. They regrettably lost the match in the first round. South Korea and North Korea’s team won the men’s doubles cup and the United States and Russia’s team won the women’s doubles cup. This table tennis cup ended in a friendly atmosphere.

 

 

November 14-19 Qatar Open Crown Prince Cup (Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun)

Japanese shooting players (Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun) participated in “Qatar Open Crown Prince Cup 2011” held at the Lusail Shooting Complex in Doha. Female rifle players (Ms. Seiko Iwata, Ms. Maki Konomoto, and Ms. Yuka Nakamura) accomplished great results in 50m Rifle 3 Positions (1st Konomoto, 2nd Iwata, 3rd Nakamura), 50m Rifle Prone (1st Konomoto, 2nd Iwata, 3rd Nakamura), and 10m Air Rifle (1st Konomoto, 3rd Iwata, 4th Nakamura). Japanese rifle team paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ambassador Mr. Monji and promised success at “Asian Shooting Championships” (Doha, January 2012) which will be a qualifying trial for London Olympic.

 

November 1-3 WISE Summit

The WISE Summit, which was initiated by the H.H.Sheikha Mozah, was held in the Qatar International Convention Center with the presence of more than 1,200 prominent educators from all around the world. H.E.Mr. Koji Omi, former Finance Minister of Japan, the founder of STS Forum was invited as a guest speaker as well as other prominent 10 educators from Japan.

 

November 1-3 Doha International College Fair

Last year, the Qatar International Fair College witnessed the participation of Nagoya University and Tohoku University. This year, Hokkaido University participated and the Japanese Embassy's stand was set up as well as last year. A lot of Qatari students visited Japanese booths asking enthusiastically about studying in Japan. H.E.Mr. Al-Mahmoud, Minister of Education also visited Japanese stands.

 

October 25-29 Doha Tribeca Film Festival

Doha Tribeca Film Festival(DTFF) was held at Katara Villege this year. The first time ever in this film festival, two Japanese films were screened(1) 3D Rabbit Horror Director:Takashi Shimizu, (2) Short Shorts (a collection of seven short films). From Japanese Short Shorts Film Festival, Director Mr.Seigo Tono, Mr. Shiro Tokiwa and Ms. Aki Isoyama were invited to DTFF. Next year, we will celebate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Qatar and more Japanese films will be screened.

 

August 25,27, 2011 U18 Soccer International Friendly Match(Japan vs Qatar)

Japan’s U18 national football team played against Qatar’s U18 national football team at Al Sadd stadium in Doha. Although Japanese team was beaten by 1-3 in the first match on August 25, they won the second match by 4-1 on August 27. Many Japanese living in Qatar came to cheer young Japanese football players ” Samurai Blue”. On the last day of their stay, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Monji and his wife Mrs. Monji visited Aspire Academy, where Japanese team was training, to encourage Japanese players with praise.

 

July 1, 2011 The Asian Club Futsal Championship's Victory Celebration

Japan's Nagoya Oceans made the 3-2 upset victory against the Iranian national team in the Asian Club Championship in Futsal finals held in Doha. In the evening of July 2, H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan and the embassy staffs held a victory celebration at the ambassador's residence with the help of Mr. Kadowaki, the chairman of the Japanese Association in Doha, praising the strong showing of the players.

 

June15-16, 2011 The Ambassador of Japan donates books to Qatar National Library and the Qatar Olympic Committee

H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to the State of Qatar handed over Japanese books to Mr. Abdulla Al-Ansari, Director of Qatar National Library and H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee on 15 and 16 June 2011 respectively.

 

June 4, 2011 The 3rd Japanse Speech Contest

The Embassy of Japan and the Japanese Teachers' Association in Qatar (JALTAQ) in cooperation with the Japan School of Doha organised the 3rd Japanese Speech Contest. H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan and more than 100 audience including students and members of Japanese Community in Qatar attended the event.
21 Japanese learners in Qatar participated in the contest. They demonstrated the result of their hard work and impressed the audience. In the end, nine speakers were declared winners who received certificates from the Ambassador and prizes by the JALTAQ. Those prizes were donated by Qatar Airways, MEGU, Dr. Hassan Medical Centre, Marubeni Corporation and the Qatar Eastern Language Centre.
Following the Japanese learners' speeches, the event continued with a brief presentation on the Japanese Government Scholarship programme for 2012 as well as a speech by Mr. Abdullah Zeyara, an ex-Japanese Scholarship Student.
The event ended with a small reception where all the participants and audience could exchange their views and foster their friendships while enjoying the Japanese food.

 

May 26, 2011 The Ambassador of Japan donates books to VCUQ

H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan met Mr. Peter Chomovicz, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at the VCUQ- Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar on Thursday, May 26, 2011 and donated 23 Japan-related books to the VCUQ.

 

May 19, 2011 The Ambassador of Japan attended a charity event by Japanese Club in Qatar University

H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan attended a charity concert for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake organised by Japanese Club in Qatar University. The Ambassador delivered an opening remarks and gave a presentation on the situation of Japan. In addition, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to Japanese club's support and donated 52 manga books to Japanese club. Those books were originally sent from the Japan Foundation to display at the Japan booth during 21st Doha International Book Fair last year.

 

April 24, Joint Press Conference on the Japanese Government Scholarships with SEC

Opening of the Japanese Government Scholarship application was announced by the Embassy of Japan and the Higher Education Institute of the Supreme Education Council (SEC). Candidates from the State of Qatar will be selected by the Joint Selection Committee comprising of officials from the SEC, Qatar University and the Embassy of Japan.Mr.Shimmura, Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Mission of the Embassy of Japan and Mr. Ahmed Ali, Acting Director of the Higher Education Institute, SEC stressed that through the Japan-Qatar ties would be strengthened this scholarship program as those scholarship students would become the bride to connect Japan and Qatar closer.

 

April 19, 2011 Visiting Qatar University

Ms. Hiromi Amano, Cultural Attache of the Embassy of Japan was invited to a English class in Qatar University to discuss with 20 students about Japan. In addition to a Q & A section, she introduced the Embassy's cultural activities and the Japanese Government Scholarship programmes.

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April 6, 2011 Book Donation to the Qatar Eastern Language Centre

H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar handed over 67 Japan related books to Dr Nasser Abdulghani Abdulghani, Chairman of the Qatar Eastern Language Centre(QELC) which is a newly established Japanese language school in Qatar. Those books were originally sent from the Japan Foundation to display at the Japan booth during 21st Doha International Book Fair from 24 November to 4 December, 2010. The Ambassador wished that those donated books to the QELC would be useful for students. In addition, donations collected from the QELC students for the victims in Japan were handed over to the Ambassador.

 

March 12-14, 2011 "Rakugo" (comic story-telling) and "Kamikiri" (paper cutting art) Demonstration

13 March, Embassy of Japan in cooperation with Qatar Museums Authority and Japan Foundation held "Rakugo" (Japanese comic story-telling) in English and "Kamikiri" (Japanese paper cutting art) Demonstration at the Museum of Islamic Art .During this event, 24 Japanese art related books were dnated by H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to the Qatar Museums Authority
Before starting the performance, the Ambassador expressed his deepest sorrow for the catastrophe happened in Japan and he was joined by the audience in holding a moment of silence to offer their deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and the bereaved families in Japan.
The programme consisted of a Rakugo briefing, Kamikiri demonstration and a Rakugo peformace. About 200 audience were amused by their show and techniques.
The same performance in Japanese was held in the Japan School of Doha on 12 March and another performance and Kamikiri workshop were organised for 50 students from Al-Bayan secondary school for Girls on 14 March.

 

March 9, 2011 Reunion Reception

H.E.Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan hosted a reunion receotion. The invitees include those who have pursued their higher studies in Japan and those who have visited undr Japanese government's invitation programes as well as Japanese language students in Qatar. The Ambassador provided them a platform to meet each other and to keep their connections and strengthen their bond.

 

February 23-28,2011 Japan Music Week 2011　

Embassy of Japan presented the “Japan Music Week” in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Qatar Foundation, Souq Waqif and Japan Foundation. It showed altogether four performances at several places in Doha; a Japanese drum show “Spirits of Japan” by ZA ICHITARO at the Education City Student Center, Qatar National Theatre and Souq Waqif. The fourth and final show was a Jazz concert by Kei Akagi Trio led by Kei Akagi, a former member of the Miles Davis band.　More than 1000 people attended and enjoyed the concerts.

 

February 17, 2011 Japanese Book Donation to Qatar University

The Book Donation Ceremony was held at the University of Qatar. H.E. Mr.Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar, and the President of University of Qatar H.E. Sheikha bint Abdullah Al-Misned attended the ceremony with a number of faculty members and students including the members of Japanese Club.
Mr. Monji handed over 122 Japan-related books donated by the Japan Foundation to the library. The fields of those books are varied such as politics, economy, law, literature, art. At the ceremony, H.E. Al-Misned expressed her gratitude to the ambassador and people of Japan for donation of books. After the ceremony, the participants exchanged their views to enhance the cooperation between the University of Qatar and the Embassy of Japan.
The Embassy of Japan started donating Japan-related books to Qatar National Library in 1987. We have been donating them almost every year since then. This book donation is the fifth time for the University of Qatar.

 

February 13, 2011 Japan National Table Tennis team

H.E. Mr. Mr.Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan invited the members of the Japanese Association and the Japan National Table Tennis team on visit to Doha to his residence. The invitees exchanged their views and enjoyed the night.

 

January 24, 2011 New Year Reception

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Kenjiro Monji hosted 2011 New Year Reception at his residence on January 24, 2010. About 200 Japanese residents attended it and exchanged new year greetings.The Ambassador and Mr. Akiyama, the chairman of the Japanese Society in Qatar, delivered speeches to convey their best wishes to the Japanese community for the new year. During the reception, a special guest, Mr. Daini, Vice President of Japan Football Association also gave everyone a word of greeting.

 

January 8, H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar attended Japanese dance and drum shows at the Cultural Village

Following the opening remarks by H.E. Mr.Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar, a visiting Japanese dance troupe Honiya Yosakoi and a drum group Ondekoza performed before a large number of audience at the Cultural Village-KATARA.
Honiya dance group also gave a performance at the Japan School of Doha. The audience included the Japan School students and 15 students of Al-Bayan Educational Complex, who thoroughly enjoyed watching, learning and danding the folk dance of Kochi prefecture of Japan.
On this occasion, Honiya Yosakoi group paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Monji on 9 January 2011, in order to thank the support from the Embassy. In addition, Ms. Izumi, the CEO of the Honiya Ltd. as the tourism ambassador of Kochi Prefecture, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Ahmed Abdulla Al-Noaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism & Exhibitions Authority and handed over a letter and Naruko (an instrument for the folk dance) from the Mayor of Kochi City and a flag from the Governor of Kochi Prefecture on 10 January 2011.