Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan has agreed to a grant of 116.2 million yen ($770,000) for the provision of exhibition, preservation, restoration, and other equipment to the Sulaymaniyah Museum in northeast Iraq, Japan’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Notes confirming the grant were signed and exchanged in Baghdad on Tuesday by Japanese Ambassador to Iraq ENDO Akira and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

The Sulaymaniyah Museum is one of the centers of Kurdish history and culture and is a cultural facility representing the region. 

The museum exhibits and stores approximately 64,400 valuable archaeological artifacts dating back to pre-Christian times and not only conducts research, preservation, and restoration activities, but also serves as an educational facility for conveying the history and culture of the Kurdistan region to younger generations. 

However, in recent times, due to deterioration and a shortage of equipment, it has been difficult to exhibit the artifacts in an appropriate environment or to fully carry out the necessary preservation and restoration work.

By providing the equipment necessary for the display, preservation and restoration of important archaeological artifacts, the grant will help to improve the quality of the museum’s exhibits and contribute to promoting the protection of cultural assets and the development of the education sector in the Kurdistan Region.