Thousands Attend Japan Festival, Celebrating Culture and Trade in Riyadh

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Riyadh: The recently held Japan Festival in Riyadh celebrated the rich cultural, technological, and trade ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Hosted at the Cultural Palace in the Saudi capital, the two-day festival attracted around 8,000 visitors, including businesspeople, anime enthusiasts, matcha lovers, and car fans. The event was organized by the Embassy of Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Japanese Society in Riyadh, bringing a wide variety of Japanese cultural experiences to the heart of Saudi Arabia.

Boosting Trade and Cultural Ties:  JETRO representatives emphasized Japan's view of Saudi Arabia as a key trade partner. Saudi Arabia is Japan’s top exporter of crude oil, and Japan highly values Saudi interest in Japanese technology, particularly in transportation.

Highlighting Japanese Brands and Culture: The festival featured displays of iconic Japanese brands such as Mitsubishi, Toyota, and tech and beauty companies like Itochu and Kumon. Various cultural performances brought the event to life, including a drum show by students from the Japanese School in Riyadh, martial arts demonstrations, a traditional tea ceremony, umbrella juggling, and live performances of popular anime and traditional songs. Guests also had the opportunity to explore Japanese tourism, engage in hands-on activities such as origami and calligraphy, and even try on traditional kimonos or yukatas. For those with a taste for Japanese innovation, the event showcased cutting-edge industrial products and the latest models of Japanese cars.