radition and culture, including Indian movies, were introduced in the prefecture. This time, it is the turn of New Delhi to host a Fukuoka Fair to showcase different aspects of the Fukuoka Prefecture.

Kokura Gion Daiko

Tentative Schedule

17 Oct:	Pre-event at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to India, with a performance by the Kokura Gion Daiko Drum Group.
18 Oct:	Exhibition at The Oberoi Hotel, New Delhi, on Fukuoka’s industry, education system and universities (including scholarship avenues for studying in Fukuoka), tourism, and local products such as chinaware, traditional Japanese dresses, etc. Besides, a Japanese Industrial Robot will be presented during the exhibition, and the Kokura Gion Daiko Group will perform at the venue.

    In addition, an environmental workshop will be held on 17 Oct at The Oberoi Hotel, to demonstrate Fukuoka’s initiatives to reduce pollution and develop environment-friendly technology.

A view of Fukuoka City

Exhibition on Zenko-ji Buddhist Temple

Inspired by the active cultural interaction between our two countries, one of the famous and historical Buddhist temples in Japan, the Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, is going to hold an exhibition of its historical statues and artefacts at the National Museum, New Delhi, from 11 November to 10 December 2008.

   The main statue of the Zenko-ji Temple is the Amitabha Buddha, which is said to be made in India and brought into Japan in the 6th century. Due to this connection, the Zenko-ji Temple has a great enthusiasm for holding the said exhibition in India. The exhibition consists of Buddhist art including Buddha statues, calligraphy, Priest robes, embroidered kimono, and traditional dolls, etc.

Zenko-ji Temple

   During the exhibition period, the Zenko-ji temple will also dispatch a cultural delegation to India to hold some cultural events related to the Zenko-ji temple. The delegation would be led by the Chief Priest/Archbishop of the Zenko-ji temple, who is a Buddhist nun. It is interesting to note that the successive chief priests of Zenko-ji temple have had some connections with the Imperial Family. Against this backdrop, objects related to the Imperial Family will also be displayed at the exhibition.

Japanese Film Festival

   During the summit meeting held between the then Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, and the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi, in August 2007, both the Prime Ministers had agreed to hold Japanese film festivals in India, and Indian film festivals in Japan, in the year 2008.

   As part of the same, NHK International of Japan held “Amazing Japan”, a documentary film festival in New Delhi and Mumbai in January this year, and the Embassy of Japan held a Japanese Film Festival showcasing classics and contemporary feature films at the India International Centre, in March 2008. Besides, the Japan Foundation New Delhi participated in the Osian Cinefan Film Festival in July 2008.

   On 19 March this year, Japan’s all-time-favorite anime character “Doraemon” was appointed as the Cultural Ambassador of Japan by Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Foreign Minister of Japan. This was initiated as an element of Japan’s cultural diplomacy, through which Doraemon will appear in events held by diplomatic establishments abroad to introduce and promote Japanese society and culture.

   One such event, the ‘Japan Film Week’ is scheduled to take place from November 15-21, at the Government