Strong Bahraini-Japanese cultural relations highlighted

Manama, July 18 (BNA): President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, said that the Bahraini-Japanese cultural relations have been progressing steadily over the past year, citing the implementation of many joint projects. This came as Shaikha Mai received here today the newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain, Miyamoto Masayuki, to whom she wished every success in carrying out his diplomatic duties. She said that BACA looks forward to more cooperation with the Japanese Embassy in Bahrain, expressing hope that the permanent headquarters of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), designed by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, will be built in Saar in the near future. BACA President also reviewed the two countries’ participation in the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, hosted by China until the end of this month, affirming the support of Bahrain, as a member of the committee, for inscribing the nominated Japanese sites on the World Heritage List, as well as for strengthening relations with all parties, especially regarding the new world heritage sites. The envoy expressed thanks to Shaikha Mai for her constant keenness to strengthen Bahrain’s cultural relations with Bahrain, affirming that the richness of Bahrain’s culture reflects its openness to various civilisations. Ambassador Miyamoto Masayuki expressed his constant readiness to cooperate with BACA in order to achieve the common visions and enhance the cultural movement in the kingdom and its various programmes.