In Doha, discussions on bilateral cooperation and the forthcoming Expo 2025 were the focus of a meeting between Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s Culture Minister, and Honda Akiko, the Japanese Deputy Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
On Sunday, Qatar’s Ministry of Culture reported that the discussions explored avenues for cultural collaboration between the two countries. Earlier last month, Qatari officials participated in a ceremony in Osaka to lay the foundation stone of the Qatari pavilion for Expo 2025.
استقبل سعادة الشيخ عبدالرحمن بن حمد آل ثاني وزير الثقافة، السيدة هوندا اكيكو نائبة الوزير البرلماني للتعليم والثقافة والعلوم والتكنولوجيا في اليابان، جرى خلال المقابلة بحث أوجه التعاون في المجال الثقافي.#وزارة_الثقافة pic.twitter.com/ndYOPjFekA
— وزارة الثقافة (@MOCQatar) May 5, 2024
The event also saw the attendance of Jaber Jaralla Al-Marri, Qatar’s Ambassador to Japan and the Commissioner-General at Expo 2025, alongside Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, the Deputy Commissioner-General and Chairman of the Qatari preparation committee for the event.
Set to commence on 13 April and conclude on 13 October, 2025, the Osaka Expo will operate under the banner “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The expo aims to address three critical sub-themes: saving, empowering, and connecting lives. It is expected to attract 82 million visitors and will feature pavilions from 150 countries and 25 international organisations.
Ambassador Al-Marri was quoted by Doha News as saying:
“Qatar’s participation in this global event underscores the considerable significance of its friendly and cooperative relations with Japan. It also serves to fortify the comprehensive strategic partnership that has flourished for over fifty years, a testament to the resolute political commitment and shared aspirations of both nations.”
Sheikh Ali noted the strategic importance of the expo for Qatar: “This endeavour also presents an opportunity to spotlight the country’s developmental milestones, promoting Qatar as both a prime tourism destination and an attractive hub for global businesses and investors across diverse economic sectors.”
Japan’s engagement at the Doha 2023 Horticultural Expo was also notable, where Ambassador Satoshi Maeda during the opening of the Japan Pavilion, said, “Under the theme of ‘Green Gift from Japan’, the Japanese pavilion will showcase our beautiful flower culture and green technology through various exhibits such as performance of ikebana flower arrangement and Japanese gardens.”
