On 20-22 November, Qatar Travel Mart 2023 was held in Doha. The Embassy of Japan in Qatar participated in the event and hosted the Japanese booth in cooperation with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Dubai Office. The booth featured a large photo display of the Japanese landscape, Kimono cut-out standees for photo shooting, and the distribution of Japan travel brochures and magazines.
The booth attracted a large number of visitors during the event, indicating the high level of interest in visiting Japan and the Japanese culture in Qatar. Ambassador Maeda also visited the booth on 21 November and interacted with visitors.
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The Japanese booth
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Brochures of Japan tourism
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On 14 November, Ambassador Maeda participated in the Japanese Wagyu seminar "Wagyu Premier Showcase" held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Doha. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Maeda emphasized the beauty of the "sashi" and the melt-in-your-mouth mildness that characterize Japanese Wagyu beef. He also expressed his hopes for the expansion of distribution of Japanese Wagyu beef in Qatar.
During the seminar, the characteristics of Japanese Wagyu beef, cutting techniques and menus using thigh meat were introduced. The participating local meat business operators and restaurants also interacted with meat business operators who traveled for this event from Japan.
In recent years, Qatar has seen a remarkable growth in imports of Japanese Wagyu beef. It is expected that Japanese Wagyu beef’s import volume further grows as the import of other parts of Japanese Wagyu beef than the loin, which accounts for the majority of current imports, increases.
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Ambassador Maeda giving speech
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Demonstration of cutting skills
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After cutting into each part
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Exhibition of each part
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On November 16, 2023, the Embassy held an introduction to Japan class at Gulf English Elementary School. The students who had previously studied about Japan, asked many questions throughout the class. On the day of the event, the teachers and children were all dressed in Japanese-themed outfits and showed their deep interest in Japan by singing ``Kira Kirakira Hoshi'' in Japanese.
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Students eagerly learning about Japan
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Information and pictures of Japan were displayed in the hallway
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As part of the Embassy’s efforts to promote Japan and its culture in Qatar, the Embassy conducted a presentation on Japan for about 80 students in the auditorium of Al Aqsa preparatory School for Girls. Following the presentation, an Origami workshop was held to make the World Cup mascot "la’eeb" out of paper, with both students and teachers demonstrating a keen interest in Japanese culture and language.
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Presentation at the auditorium
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Origami by the school students
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On 24 October, Ambassador Maeda hosted a dinner at his residence for the Japanese men's handball national team for the Asian Qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. The dinner was attended by Mr. Nikawadori, Head of the Japanese National Team, Mr. Ahmed Abdi, Qatar Handball Association’s Japan Liaison Officer, and Mr. Okamoto, Vice President of the Japanese Society in Qatar. The attendees exchanged their views on sports culture in Qatar. The Japanese national team will compete in the semi-finals of the tournament on 26 October.
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| Group photo |
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Ambassador Maeda and Mr. Nikawadori, Head of the Japanese National Team, giving speech
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Gift to Ambassador Maeda
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On 4 October, Ambassador Maeda participated in the opening event of Japan Travel House, a travel information center to promote tourism from Qatar to Japan, held at Junko Sushi & Japanese Dining restaurant in Doha's Pearl area. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Maeda stated, "For Japan-Qatar bilateral relations, tourism is one of the promising sectors for development. This is exemplified by the growing number of tourists from Qatar to Japan and Japanese tourists to Qatar in recent years. Tourism is also an effective way to foster mutual understanding and friendship as well as to promote economies of the two countries", emphasizing the importance of this event in promoting tourism from Qatar to Japan. Local media and local residents attended the event, showing strong interest in Japanese tourism information in Qatar.
This project was organized by the Dubai Office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), in cooperation with Junko Sushi & Japanese Dining restaurant, to promote tourism from Qatar to Japan on the occasions of the opening of Expo 2023 Doha on 2 October and the resumption of Qatar Airways' direct flight to Tokyo (Haneda) in June of this year. The Japan Travel House will be open to public in Junko Sushi & Japanese Dining restaurant until 29 February, 2024.
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Ambassador Maeda giving speech
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Ambassador Maeda (3rd from right), JNTO Dubai Office Executive Director Mr. Kobayashi (2nd from right) and Junko Sushi & Japanese Dining Chairman Ms. Nanri (1st from right) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
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On 3 October, the opening ceremony of the Japan Pavilion at the Expo 2023 Doha was held at the Japan Pavilion. The ceremony was attended by a number of relevant parties. The attendees included Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda and Japanese government officials from the Japanese side, Mr. Mohammed Al-Khoori, Secretary General and Mrs. Tamader Al-Mulla, Deputy Commissioner General, from the Qatari side, and Mr. and Mrs. Capitanio, President of the International Association of Horticultural Producers.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Maeda made opening remarks in which he emphasized Japan's efforts to create a better environment and its contribution to the Expo, stating "under the theme of ‘Green Gift from Japan’, the Japanese pavilion will showcase our beautiful flower, flower culture, and green technology through various exhibits such as performance of ikebana flower arrangement and Japanese gardens”. In addition to opening remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the attendees enjoyed a series of Japanese cultural activities, including commemorative signing of carp streamers, Japanese “daruma” eye-painting ceremony, and ikebana performance. The Japanese pavilion is expected to attract many visitors during the Expo.
In 2027, Japan's Yokohama city will host the next International Horticultural Exhibition under the theme of "Scenery of Future Happiness".
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Ambassador Maeda delivering opening remarks
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Tape cutting ceremony
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Japanese “daruma” eye-painting ceremony
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Official photo session |
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| Ikebana (flower arrangement) performance |
From June 12 to 21, the 32nd Doha International Book Fair was held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) with the participation of the Embassy of Japan. The Japanese booth displayed various books about Japan, hosted a number of activities including origami workshops, calligraphy name writing and kimono-clad panel photo taking, and distributed brochures on visiting Japan, studying in Japan and learning Japanese as well as Niponica cultural magazine. We welcomed nearly 3,600 visitors, mostly families and students. The fact that many people picked up books on display, including manga and Japanese language textbooks, books on tourism, traditional culture, Japanese gardens and architecture, showed the high level of interest in Japan and Japanese culture in Qatar.
On June 12, Ambassador Maeda attended the opening ceremony of the book fair and toured the venue with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.
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| Ambassador Maeda visiting the Japanese booth |
Visitors enjoying the Origami workshop and Japanese calligraphy at the Japanese booth |
Ambassador Maeda attended Qatar-Japan Research Collaboration (Cycle 2) Award Announcement Ceremony at Qatar University. This scheme is funded by Marubeni Corporation’s Doha Office and administered by Qatar University. During the ceremony, presenters introduced a number of existing Japan-Qatar research collaboration projects (Cycle 1) and announced new ones funded by the scheme. In one of the presentations, Dr. Saeed Al-Meer, Director of Research Support, highlighted that this scheme contributes to the promotion of Japan-Qatar research exchanges and the expansion of researcher networks between the two countries.
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| With Dr. Al-Meer of Qatar University (3rd from right), Mr. Mori of Marubeni Doha office (2nd from right) and other personnel. |
During the award announcement ceremony |
Ambassador Maeda visited Al-Khor Primary School for Girls and Abdulla Bin Ali Al-Misnad Preparatory School for Boys to present them with drawings and posters made by children from Asa District, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The donation ceremony was attended by Mr. Toshihiro Mori, Managing Director of the Doha Office of Marubeni Corporation, who has been supporting the activities of the “Asa Community Center Qatar Association” for a long time.
Asa Community Center Qatar Association: When the 12th Asian Games were held in Hiroshima in the fall of 1994, Hiroshima implemented the "One City, One Country" campaign. Upon this occasion, Asa Town (now Hiroshima City) in Hiroshima Prefecture decided to support Qatar as part of the campaign. In July 1996, the "Asa Community Center Qatar Association" was established to visit Qatar and continue exchanges with the country. Since then, the association has been delivering children's drawings from Asa district to Qatari schools almost every year.
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| Ambassador Maeda (center), Mrs. Maeda (center left) and Mr. Mori of Marubeni Doha office (center left), Principal Ms. Dalal Al-Burshaid (center right), the pupils of Al Khor Independent School for Girls who showcased dancing |
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| Ambassador Maeda (2nd right) and Mr. Mori of Marubeni Doha office (2nd left) handing over the art craft from Japanese pupils |
Mr. Ibrahim Hamad Al-Mohannadi, Principal of Abdulla bin Ali Al Misnad Independent School for Boys (center), presented a gift to the Ambassador |
Ambassador had a meeting with Mr. Khalid bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, President of the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo & Karate Federation, at the World Judo Championships Doha 2023 venue. During the meeting, both sides discussed the importance of judo for the promotion of Japan-Qatar bilateral relations and for the Qatari local community as well as the performance of Japanese judo athletes. Moreover, Ambassador expressed his appreciation to President Al-Attiyah for organizing this event and offering tickets to the local Japanese community. The meeting was followed by exchange of gifts and photo session that were conducted in an amicable atmosphere.
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| Ambassador (left) with President Mr. Khalid bin Hamad Al-Attiyah (right) |
At the meeting |
Ambassador attended the opening ceremony of the World Judo Championships Doha 2023. Ambassador also watched the finals and 3rd place matches of men’s 66kg and women’s 52kg classes. The opening ceremony was conducted with the presence of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Regarding the matches, Ms. Uta Abe won women’s 52kg class while her brother Mr. Hifumi Abe won men’s 66kg class. Mr. Joshiro Maruyama also won the 2nd place of the same class.
At the venue, Ambassador had conversations with Mr. Yasuhiro Yamashita, President of the All Japan Judo Federation and World Promotion Director of the International Judo Federation, and Mr. Khalid bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Vice President of the local organizing committee of the World Judo Championships Doha 2023 and President of the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation. The venue witnessed the huge popularity of judo in Qatar as it received a large number of fans including Japanese residents in the country and fans from all over the globe who cheerfully supported the judokas.
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| Ambassador (right) with Mr. Yasuhiro Yamashita (left), President of the All Japan Judo Federation |
At the venue |
Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda attended the annual "Ghabga” hosted by the Al-Buhaliqa family. In the beginning of the event, Ambassador made a speech thanking the members of the Al-Buhaliqa family and expressing his respect for the local tradition of “ghabga”. Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda enjoyed conversation with a number of attendees over the dinner.
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| Ambassador’s speech |
With the members of the Al-Buhaliqa family, host of the event |
Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda attended the Japanese cultural event "Day in Nihon (Hanami)", hosted by the Japanese Club at Qatar University. A large number of participants enjoyed Japan-related handicrafts, quizzes and other activities at the event.
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| Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda with Japanese Club staffs |
Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda with the flower presented by the Japanese Club |
Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda visited the “’Denjiro’ Japanese Show – 3rd Edition: Combination of Education and Entertainment” held at the Early Childhood Center of Qatar University hosted by LNG JAPAN CORPORATION.
During his speech, Ambassador Maeda noted that by having fun memories about science through this event, the children will become more interested in studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, thereby contributing to the Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its human development pillar. The event saw the attendance of a large number of children who enjoyed science experiment shows, including “Giant Air Cannon Experiment” (see photo) and “Liquefied Nitrogen Experiment”.
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| Speech by Ambassador Maeda |
Scientific experiments |
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| Giant Air Cannon Experiment |
On 11 March, the Embassy of Japan in Qatar and the Japanese Language Teachers Association in Qatar (JALTAQ) co-hosted the 14th Japanese Speech Contest at Qatar University. A total of 15 people, ranging from beginners to advanced Japanese learners, participated in the event and demonstrated the results of their daily Japanese learning through readings and speeches on free topics. The winner of category C, the advanced category, was Ms Fatima Al-Marzouki (Qatar) with the title "Meeting the toughest Japanese".
In addition to the speeches, the event hosted an online talk on studying in Japan by Mr Ahmed Almohannadi, who is currently studying at Tokyo Metropolitan University in Japan on the Japanese government scholarship (i.e., MEXT scholarship). It also had an information desk on studying in Japan, offered by the delegation of Kyushu University in Japan who was visiting Qatar on an official mission of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Study in Japan Global Network Project in Middle East & North Africa” to promote in-bound studying abroad from Qatar to Japan.
This year, the event returned to Qatar University following the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Through the collaboration among the Embassy of Japan in Qatar, JALTAQ and Qatar University, the event contributed to the further strengthening of Japan-Qatar bilateral ties in the cultural and education sectors.
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| From left, Ambassador Maeda, category C winner Ms. Fatima and some of the event’s sponsors: Mr. Wagatsuma (Sumitomo Corporation) and Mr. Naito (Cyubu Electric Power Company) |
Competitor reading in category A |
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| Judging Panel |
Talk session by Mr. Ahmed Almohannadi |
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| Participants seeking advice on studying in Japan at Kyushu University’s desk |
Group photo |
Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda visited the Aspire Dome to watch the practice of Kendo by the Doha Kendo Club, which was founded ten years ago by a Qatari citizen, Mr Abdurahman. This time, Kendo Master Mr. Tashiro visited Qatar to promote Kendo in the country and to train the club's intermediate practitioners. Around 20 beginners and intermediate members attended the training. The training showed the continuing popularity of Kendo as a Japanese martial art among locals and foreigners.
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| Kendo Master Mr. Tashiro coaching intermediate practitioners of the Doha Kendo Club (in the middle) |
Group photo of Ambassador and Mrs. Maeda together with the Doha Kendo Club |
