Iranian, Japanese Scholars Exchange Views on Religions

Head of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization (ICCO) of Iran Abuzar Ebrahimi Torkaman and a number of Japanese scholars and Islamologists were present in the meeting.

Torkaman told the audience that such meetings are effective in helping Iranian and Japanese nations have better insight of their cultural commonality.

He said, "With the goal of strengthening engagement and cultural relations between the two countries, I am pleased to participate today in the first round of Iranian-Japanese religious dialogue based on Islam and Shinto in the great country of Japan.”

Torkaman announced, "The attraction and majesty of Iran's history and civilization in the eyes of the culture loving people of Japan on the one hand, and the great respect and interest of the great people of Iran in the Japanese nation and great people, on the other hand, serve as an important and effective factor for expanding cultural relations and engagement of the two countries.”

The ICCO Head referred to a large number of Japanese Iranologists and Islamologists as well as Iranian experts of Japan studies -- some of whom have received the honor of the Honorable Emperor of Japan-- as a potential for development of relations between the two countries.

Torkaman stated, "Implementation of religious and cultural programs in Iran and Japan, including the talks we are witnessing today, provide a platform for further understanding of the two nations.”

Iran and Japan are enjoying close relations, and the two countries are marking the year of 2019 as the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries with a host of programs and celebrations in both Tehran and Tokyo.

In a related front, earlier on January 23, Japanese Ambassador to Tehran Mitsuo Saito, in a meeting with Advisor to the Parliament Speaker Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said that Japan attaches great importance to bolstering relations with Iran, as Tokyo sees Tehran as an influential player in the region.

Saito, the newly-appointed Japanese ambassador to Tehran, said that his country welcomes expansion of political, economic and cultural relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the meeting, the two sides noted the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Tokyo, which was marked and commemorated at the Iranian embassy in Tokyo on January 17, saying the ceremony indicated the deep-rooted relations between the two countries,

Amir Abdollahian maintained that bolstering parliamentary ties between the two sides will pave the way for expansion of all-out cooperation between Tehran and Tokyo.

The Japanese ambassador, for his part, said Japan always holds in high regard the development of ties with Iran as an influential country in the region with a rich history.

The two sides also highlighted the importance of exchanging parliamentary delegations in a bid to further develop ties.

Earleir on January, Iran and Japan celebrated the 90th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries in a ceremony in Tokyo where messages from foreign ministers Mohammad Javad Zarif and Tarō Kōno were read out.

Iranian and Japanese diplomats and politicians convened at the Iranian embassy in Tokyo to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A message by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was read out at the ceremony, in which the top diplomat had voiced hope for the further expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries through the resolution of the Iranian and Japanese authorities and the use of existing capacities.

Japanese Foreign Minister Tarō Kōno had also sent a message to the ceremony, in which he had offered congratulations on the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and voiced hope for the development of contradiction and amicable ties with Iran.

Iranian ambassador to Japan Morteza Rahmani Movahed said in mid-September that Iran has its special attractions for all the tastes of Japanese tourists.

"Development of tourism relations between the two countries is one of the important issues emphasized by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the envoy highlighted in late September.

Earlier in mid-October, Rahmani Movahed said that the bilateral relations between Tehran and Tokyo are supported by both nations.

The Iranian diplomat made the remarks while receiving a host of Japanese journalists, reporters, media people and TV personnel in the building of Iranian embassy in Tokyo. The media people along with managers of some Japanese TV and radio stations were visiting the embassy.

He asserted that friendly relations between Iran and Japan are deep rooted and that is why the ties between the two countries easily win the approval and support of both nations and cultures.

The year of 2019 is coincided with the 90th anniversary of establishment of political and diplomatic relations between Iran and Japan which is a very good opportunity to broaden scientific, cultural and tourism cooperation, Rahmani Movahed said.

To mark the occasion, both sides have prepared various programs which will be covered by Japanese media leading to deepening of cultural ties between the two ancient civilizations, he said.

Appreciating the presence of Japanese media in Iran's embassy, the Iranian ambassador suggested holding regular sessions in the future to work out a framework for regular cooperation between Japanese media and Iranian Embassy and their Iranian counterparts.

In the meeting, the Japanese media voiced readiness to expand cooperation with Iran's embassy to help promote cultural cooperation

Source:Farsnews