SAUDI ARABIA: "Tokyo meets Riyadh" exhibition showcases Japanese culture in Saudi Arabia

Record ID: 189323

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: "Tokyo meets Riyadh" exhibition showcases Japanese culture in Saudi Arabia
  • Date: 10th February 2014
  • Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 9, 2014) (REUTERS) REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPANESE EMBASSY IN RIYADH AND SAUDI GENERAL DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL HANDCRAFT PROGRAM CUTTING THE RIBBON OPENING THE TOKYO MEETS RIYADH EXHIBITION ATTENDEES APPLAUDING JAPANESE SWEETS PRODUCTS JAPANESE MAN OFFERING SWEETS TO DR. JASSER AL-HERBISH, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL HANDCRAFT PROGRAM DR. AL-HERBISH EATING SWEETS VARIOUS OF EXHIBITION VARIOUS OF JAPANESE PRODUCTS SCREEN SHOWING JAPANESE TRADITIONAL FASHIONS/SCREEN WITH LOGO OF JETRO (JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION) AL-HERBISH LISTENING TO EXPLANATION ON JAPANESE HAND MADE CRAFTS AND PRODUCTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) GENERAL DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL HANDCRAFT PROGRAM AT SAUDI TOURISM AUTHORITY, DR.JASSER AL-HERBISH, SAYING: "Our hope in the national hand craft program is to build bridges of cooperation with the Japanese side, and in particular the transfer of what we have seen today, precision and attention to quality, also of the care of the environment and recycling and attention to raw materials in the country." JAPANESE MAN PLAYING JAPANESE CUP-AND-BALL GAME WITH SAUDI MAN VARIOUS OF ATTENDEES TOURING THE EXHIBITION / LOOKING AT JAPANESE HANDBAGS AND SCARF CLOSE OF BAG TRADITIONAL JAPANESE DRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF JETRO, HIDEKI SHO, SAYING: "There are many Japanese cars running on the streets of Saudi Arabia but this fashion products or household items or food, not yet so much in Saudi Arabia market, there is a room to improve for us to increase the more Japanese products coming into this market." VISITORS TALKING VARIOUS OF JAPANESE PRODUCTS VARIOUS OF DIPLOMAT VISITOR CHECKING PRODUCTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AGNES JULIN, SWEDISH DIPLOMAT IN RIYADH, SAYING: "Every one likes the food and the design and they are very good at it, it's interesting when they mix with other kind of designs, food and everything." VARIOUS OF JAPANESE SWEETS COMPANY MEMBERS MAKING CREPES (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) TOICHI KAWAKAMI, OWNER OF MOMI & TOY'S COMPANY WHO OWNS 70 BRANCHES IN JAPAN AND PLANNING A NEW ONE IN RIYADH, SAYING: "I think that the Saudi market is big and opportunity is large and now I am studying and understanding the Saudi market." VARIOUS OF JAPANESE SWEETS COMPANY MEMBERS MAKING CREPES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VISITOR, BOTHAINA, SAYING: "It's nice that there are innovations and new things; we're seeing them for the first time and there are very nice ideas in the exhibition." VARIOUS OF BOTHAINA AND FAMILY VARIOUS OF JAPANESE MAN TAKING PHOTO SAUDI FAMILY
  • Embargoed: 25th February 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Business,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA69F7CMWLEYMJQXMQXRNYVR82N
  • Story Text: Japanese delegates presented traditional examples of their culture in Saudi Arabia on Sunday (February 9).
    The "Tokyo meets Riyadh" exhibition in the Saudi capital aims to boost the popularity of Japanese cuisine and fashion in a country where Japanese cars are already a permanent fixture on the roads.
    JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organisation, organised the exhibition into three zones; Traditional, Cool Feminine and Street.
    The two-week event aims to introduce traditional and contemporary Japanese culture to a new and lucrative market.
    Exhibited items included dresses, jackets, shoes, bags, and accessories which were brought from Japan. Fashion designer Aya Kato, who has worked with Lady Gaga's stylist Nicola Formichetti, was also on hand to present some of the clothes and was due to hold a special workshop for Saudi ladies about Tokyo contemporary dressing style.
    Dr. Jasir Al-herbish, Saudi Arabia's General Director of National Handcraft Program, who gave the opening remarks at the ceremony, welcomed events like this taking place in Riyadh.
    "Our hope in the national hand craft program is to build bridges of cooperation with the Japanese side, and in particular the transfer of what we have seen today, precision and attention to quality, also of the care of the environment and recycling and attention to raw materials in the country," Dr. Herbish said.
    JETRO boss Hideki Sho explained that while Japanese cars are already popular in Saudi Arabia, there are many more potential markets for Japanese products.
    "There are many Japanese cars running on the streets of Saudi Arabia but this fashion products or household items or food, not yet so much in Saudi Arabia market, there is a room to improve for us to increase the more Japanese products coming into this market," said Director General Of JETRO, Hideki Sho.
    At the opening ceremony a chef from "Momi & Toy's", the famous Japanese style crepe shop, demonstrated and served their unique products to the attendees.
    The owner of "Momi & Toy's", who have 70 branches in Japan, said Saudi Arabia offers a potentially vast market for their product.
    "I think that the Saudi market is big and opportunity is large and now I am studying and understanding the Saudi market," said Toichi Kawakami, owner of "Momi & Toy's"
    One visitor to the exhibition was impressed by the products on show from Japanese companies.
    "It's nice that there are innovations and new things; we're seeing them for the first time and there are very nice ideas in the exhibition," said visitor Bothaina who, along with her family, were enjoying the deserts.
    The exhibition is due to run until February 22.
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