Japan’s embassy in Tehran opens special room focused on culture

Japan’s embassy in Tehran has opened a special room featuring the country’s culture to the public on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with Iran, AVA Diplomatic reports.

With the hope of increasing fans of Japan in Iran, the embassy created the 40-square-meter room that is filled with items of both traditional and pop culture of the Asian country.

Exhibited items at “Japan Room,” brought by embassy staff and other people, include a kendama cup and ball game, carp streamers and action figures of characters from the blockbuster cartoon “One Piece,” which boasts a strong fan base in Iran as well.

Visitors can also play classic video games that were popular in the 1980s in the room which is full of photographs of landscapes of Japan on its walls.

The room will be opened to the public three days a week.

“In addition to economic ties, Japan has a long association with Iran in the field of culture,” Japan’s ambassador to Iran, Mitsugu Saito, said at a ceremony at the embassy to mark the 90th anniversary on the eve of the opening. “We’d like to introduce not only Japan’s traditional aspects but also its pop culture.