Arab News

Saudi Arabia and Japan have solidified their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan AlSaud, Minister of Culture, and Dr. Toshiko Abe, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Nov. 22.

Prince Badr met with Abe as part of his official visit to Japan to attend the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” show in Tokyo, which took place on Friday.

The agreement, signed during Prince Badr’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange. The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.

Notable areas of focus include the animation industry, joint projects for the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage, and initiatives to promote mutual understanding and appreciation of both nations’ cultures.

To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, both parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges. This includes the exchange of experts in various cultural fields and the organization of programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from both nations.

The Saudi Culture Minister emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating: “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding. By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

During their meeting, the Saudi minister noted that the Kingdom’s upcoming participation at Expo 2025 in Osaka highlights the strong relations between the two countries, and wished Japan success in hosting the event.

The ministers also addressed the importance of “strengthening cultural relations between the Kingdom and Japan,” the SPA reported, and of “enhancing existing cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission and the Japanese to train Saudi students in the art of creating manga comics.”

The MoU is part of the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to enhance international cultural exchange, one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.