PR and Culture Event in 2014
December 2-3, Qatar Tour of JEF Chiba (Youth Team)
JEF Chiba’s youth team (U17) visited Qatar to play friendly games with Aspire (Qatar) and Atalanta (Italy). The team members of JEF Chiba paid a courtesy call to Ambassador Tsuda. Ambassador Tsuda encouraged young players who would take an important role in the future of Japanese football.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and JEF Chiba (Youth Team) |
November 18-19, Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference 2014 (ARC’14)
Ambassador Tsuda attended Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference 2014 (ARC’14), which was held at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC). Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, President and CEO of Sony Computer Science Laboratories, joined as one of the main panelists at the Conference. Under the theme of “Towards World Class Research and Innovation”, this year’s conference discussed research priorities related to Qatar National Research Strategy including Water, Energy, Cyber Security and Healthcare.
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| Dr. Kitano participated in the opening session. | H.H. Sheikha Moza, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, graced the opening ceremony. |
October 27-28, Qatar Tour of Tokyo Verdy (Junior Youth)
Tokyo Verdy (junior youth team) visited Qatar to play friendly games with Aspire (Qatar) and Chelsea (England). Ambassador Tsuda enjoyed the games held at Aspire Academy and encouraged young players who would take an important role in the future of Japanese football.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and Tokyo Verdy (Junior Youth) |
October 26 ~ October 28, The 5th International College Fair
H.E Mr. Shingo Tsuda, the ambassador of Japan to Qatar, participated in the opening ceremony of the “5th International College Fair 2014” which was organized by SEC (Supreme Education Council), Higher Education Institute. The fair was held from the 26th till the 28th of October, 2014 at QNCC. The Embassy of Japan in Qatar took part in the event through a booth where various visitors, including Qatari citizens, showed a fond interest in studying in Japan and checked the availability of Japanese governmental scholarships.
October 21-22, Qatar Identity Forum
Qatar National Identity Forum, organized by Qatar Heritage & Identity Center, was held for the first time at Sharq Village Hotel. Ms. Mariko Mikami, a journalist and former visiting associate professor at Shinsyu University, participated in this Forum as one of the main speakers and gave a lecture on how Japanese people have maintained their identity ever since the postwar development.
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| Lecture by Ms. Mikami | Many Qataris joined in the Forum. |
October 15, Japanese Book Donation to Qatar University
The Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with Japan Foundation, presented Qatar University with a collection of 102 Japanese books. The donation ceremony was held at Qatar University’s Library and was attended by Ambassador Tsuda, Dr. Khalid Al-Ali, Acting Vice President for Faculty Affairs, Dr. Imad Bashir, Director of the Library, and by many of Qatar University students as well. This is the 8th donation of books to Qatar University since 1989 and the total number of books donated now reached around 900.
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| Message from Ambassador Tsuda | Ambassador Tsuda and Dr. Khalid Al-Ali, Acting Vice President for Faculty Affairs |
September 22, Japanese Book Donation to Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIASS)
For the second consecutive year, in cooperation with Japan Foundation, Ambassador Tsuda presented a collection of 66 books of various Japanese topics including Japanese language textbooks, Japanese literature, culture and arts, dictionaries, contemporary novels, and children’s books to Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIASS). Qatari students enrolled in Japanese language majors attended the donation ceremony and expressed their delight in receiving Japanese books useful for Japanese study.
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| Ambassador Tsuda, Mr. Martin Reardon (Senior Director of QIASS), Mr. Don Mikel (Director of Language School), and Ms. Midori Mizuno (Japanese Instructor) |
August 31 ~ September 12, Japanese Language Intensive Course
Two intensive Japanese language courses for beginners were held at Tariq Bin Ziyad Independent secondary school in Doha from the 31st of August to the 12th of September, 2014. The courses were organized by the Japanese language teachers’ association in Qatar (JALTAQ), in cooperation with the Nomura Bahrain Friendship Fund and was supported by the Embassy of Japan. With experience of more than ten-years of teaching the Japanese language in the Middle East, lecture Ken Umishima from Bahrain University delivered vibrant classes to basic-level students who achieved tremendous progress to the point where they were able to use simple daily conversation phrases by the end of the course.
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| Students holding the certificates（Second from the left: Lecturer Umishima） | Lecture Umishima and his students |
June 15 ~25, The 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO
The 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO was held at Doha. Ambassador Kenjiro Monji, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO led the Japanese delegation. Mr. Masanori Aoyagi, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, and Mr. Masaaki Osawa, Governor of Gunma Prefecture, also participated in the Session. H.E. Sheikha Al-Mayassa, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, served as the chair. During the Session, “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage” was newly inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
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| Opening remarks by H.E. Sheikh Abdullah, Prime Minister and Interior Minister | The Session was held at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) |
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| Discussion on “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage” | Ambassador Monji, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO, Mr. Aoyagi, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, and Mr. Osawa, Governor of Gunma Prefecture, at the Press Conference |
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| H.E. Sheikha Al-Mayassa, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, who chaired the Session, delivered the closing remarks | Closing Ceremony |
June 17 Japanese Cinema Showcase
The Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with the Japanese Society in Qatar and the Japan Foundation, hosted the Japanese Cinema Showcase at the Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel. The Japanese Cinema Showcase screened three Japanese films, showcased for the first time in Qatar, namely “Brave Story”(2006), “Robo-G”(2012), and “Always Sunset on Third Street 3” (2012). All three film were received warmly by the spectators. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Tsuda mentioned that the Japanese films will help in familiarizing the spectators with the Japanese culture.
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| Opening remarks by Ambassador Tsuda | The spectators enjoyed the Japanese films. |
June 14 The 6th Japanese Speech contest at Japan Doha School
The Embassy of Japan and the Japanese Teachers’ Association in Qatar (JALTAQ), in cooperation with the Japan School of Doha, held the 6th Qatar Japanese Speech Contest at the Japan School of Doha. With the audience of more than 130 including those studying Japanese language and interested in Japan, the fifteen advanced Japanese language learners participated in the contest. Mr. Salman Al-Khaldi was declared to be the winner of Free Topic Speech (Category C). In Category B where participants were assigned theme, Mr. Merwan Lomri won the first place. As for Recitation in Category A, Ms. Mona Salama won the first place. The winners of the contest received prizes offered by Qatar Airways, Fifty One East, Junko Sushi, Qatar Insurance Company, Marubeni Corporation, and Taisei Corporation. The contest ended with a reception where all the participants and audience could foster their friendship while enjoying the Japanese food.
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| Opening remarks by Mr. Odagiri, Chargés d'affaires ad interim | Many audience came to the Japan School of Doha for the Speech Contest. |
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| Speaker dressed in Yukata | Songs by the students of the Japan School of Doha |
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| Mr. Salman Al-Khaldi, the winner of Free Topic Speech (Category C) | Speakers, Judges and Sponsors |
1 April, Book Donation to Tariq Bin Ziyad High School for Boys
Ambassador Tsuda, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, presented 84 Japan-related books to Tariq Bin Ziyad Independent Secondary School for Boys. The donation ceremony were attended by Mr. Hamad Al-Mannai, Principal of the School and students who make great progress in learning Japanese language. This is the second time for the Embassy to donate Japanese books to the School after the decision to implement Japanese language teaching at the School in 2012.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and Mr. Hamad Al-Mannai, Principle of the Tariq Bin Ziyad Independent Secondary School for Boys | Ambassador Tsuda and Mr. Hamad Al-Mannai, Principle of the Tariq Bin Ziyad Independent Secondary School for Boys |
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| Ambassador Tsuda observed a Japanese language class. |
26 ~ 28 March, FIG World Challenge Cup Artistic Gymnastics
FIG World Challenge Cup Artistic Gymnastics was held at Aspire Dome. Five Japanese gymnasts (Mr. Kenzo Shirai, Mr. Yusuke Saito, Mr. Masayoshi Yamamoto, Mr. Ryuzo Sejima, and Mr. Yuya Kamoto) participated in this Cup. Mr. Shirai won first place in Floor Exercise. In Vault, Mr. Saito took second place and Mr. Shirai was in third place. Ambassador Tsuda attended the Cup to encourage Japanese gymnasts.
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| Many Japanese came to Aspire Dome to cheer for Japanese players. | Mr. Kenzo Shirai who won first place in Floor Exercise and Ambassador Tsuda at the victory ceremony |
17 March, Reception for those who visited Japan under the various Japanese governmental programs
Ambassador Tsuda hosted a reception at his residence to those who visited Japan under the various governmental programs offered by the Japanese government. Mr. Turki Al-Mahmoud, Assistant Director of Higher Education Institute of Supreme Education Council, attended the reception as a representative of the Qatari side. The reception was intended to create a bond among the participants in many Japanese governmental programs and to keep them relevant with Japan.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and Attendees of the Reception | Ambassador Tsuda and Mr. Turki Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, Assistant Director of Higher Education Institute, SEC |
28 February ~ 15 March, “Washi Tales” by Kyoko Ibe
Ms. Kyoko Ibe, Japanese Washi artist, held her exhibition “Washi Tales” at Katara (Visual Art Center). Ambassador Tsuda attended the opening ceremony on 27 February. Washi is a traditional Japanese paper and Ms. Kyoko Ibe is one of the Japan’s most innovative paper artists, creating large scale works of Washi.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and Ms. Kyoko Ibe | Dr. Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, attended the opening ceremony |
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| Pieces from “Washi Tales” | Once Upon a Time Series (2012) |
20 February, Kendo Equipment Donation to Qatar Kendo Club
The All Japan Kendo Federation made a donation of 20 full sets of Kendo equipment (bamboo swords and protective armours, etc) to the Qatar Kendo Club for the first time. On behalf of the All Japan Kendo Federation, the Embassy of Japan hosted the donation ceremony at the Ambassador’s residence, inviting the members of the Qatar Kendo Club. The Qatar Kendo Club was formed in May 2012 and it has 17 members and practices twice a week with 2 Japanese Kendo masters. Ambassador Tsuda gave a speech admiring member’s efforts and proficiency in Kendo. He also wishes that the Kendo equipment donated on this opportunity would further enhance the Qatar Kendo Club’s activities and cultural exchanges between Qatar and Japan.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Mohannadi, Director of Qatar Kendo Club | Ambassador Tsuda and member of Qatar Kendo Club |
19 February, Japanese Book Donation to Qatar National Library
Ambassador Tsuda donated 55 Japan-related books to the Qatar National Library in collaboration with the Japan Foundation. The Embassy of Japan began handing over Japan-related books to Qatar National Library in 1987. The total number of books presented by the Embassy of Japan to the prestigous Library now reaches 970.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and Mr. Abdulla Al-Ansari, Director of Qatar National Library |
January 19 - 30, Intensive Japanese language course
Between January 19th and 30th, 2014, Japanese Language Teachers Association in Qatar (JALTAQ) hold an intensive Japanese language course for 10 days sponsored by Nomura Bahrain – Japan Friendship Fund. The course was taught by Mr. Umishima who has been teaching Japanese language in Bahrain for 16 years lead the beginner’s course. Students have made themselves able to communicate in basic Japanese language and they were excited to receive the certificate upon completing this course.
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January 22, Book Donation to the Qatar Olympic Committee
Ambassador Tsuda, in cooperation with the Japan Foundation, donated books related to Japanese martial arts including Judo, Karate, Kendo, Aikido, and so on to H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The Embassy has made the book donation to the Qatar Olympic Committee every year since 2009.
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| Ambassador Tsuda and H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee |
January 20, New Year Reception for Japanese in Qatar
Ambassador Tsuda hosted a reception at his residence for the Japanese community in Qatar to celebrate the New Year 2014 and wished for the good health and happiness of the Japanese people residing in Qatar and Japan’s further contribution to Qatar in various fields. More than 160 guests attended the reception and enjoyed the traditional Japanese New Year dishes and the atmosphere.
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| New Year’s Greeting by Ambassador Tsuda | The guests enjoyed the traditional Japanese New Year dishes. |