"Year of Russia in Japan" Executive Committee Established

The Russia in Japan Executive Committee, which will undertake the "Year of Russia in Japan" starting in 2018, held its founding press conference on December 11 at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

The five-year "Year of Russia in Japan" and "Year of Japan in Russia" will feature various events and content related to Russian art, fine arts, and food culture.

The event featured a commemorative concert at Shibuya Hikarie, with renowned artists invited from Russia.

In connection with the Japan-Russia summit in December 2016, Gazprom Media Holding, a subsidiary of the global Russian natural gas company Gazprom, and Dentsu Inc. agreed on a "Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Cooperation."

Gazprom Media is Russia's largest media company, with a wealth of media and content, including movies and television. Based on the memorandum, the committee was launched on September 26 this year as a project involving four companies, including Tokyu Corporation and Nikkei Inc.

At the beginning of the press conference, Alexander Zhuravsky, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, said, "As a nation, we will actively support the activities of Russian artists and spare no effort to ensure that the Japanese people enjoy them." Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets sent a video message saying, "I hope this will be the beginning of serious cultural exchange between the two countries."

Toshihiro Aiki, Deputy Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "I was deeply impressed by the wonderful performance at the concert. It reaffirmed the power of art to connect people across national boundaries. Although Japan and Russia are important partners, it cannot be said that the two nations have a mutual understanding. We want to further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges."

Toshihiro Yamamoto, President of Dentsu Inc., introduced the executive committee members and expressed his enthusiasm: "We established this committee to further deepen cultural exchange between our two countries and to spearhead cultural activities. We are also advancing plans to increase opportunities in Japan to experience and appreciate Russian culture. We hope you will look forward to it."

Kiyoshi Komatsu, Executive Officer of Nikkei Inc., stated, "Our company has long prioritized international cultural exchange. We are honored to be involved in this committee," adding, "We aim to focus our entire group's efforts on introducing Russian culture."

The commemorative concert featured world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, and Vadim Repin, one of the world's foremost violinists. From Japan, pianist Yukio Yokoyama made a guest appearance. He captivated the audience with four pieces, including Dmitri Shostakovich's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35" and Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "Waltz-Scherzo in C major, Op. 34."

Gergiev stated, "Russia has many legendary cultural institutions, but many aspects remain unknown in Japan, so we want to cherish opportunities like this." He added, "For us, who usually perform only in large halls, a concert in Hikarie's open space was a very rare experience. I feel even people not interested in music stopped to listen. It was spontaneous and fresh; I want to increase such initiatives."

Repin remarked, "Art knows no language barriers. I hope people will come to know Russia and Japan through art. I believe this allows for a more natural form of cultural exchange."

Yokoyama also remarked, "Russia and Japan are neighbors separated by the sea. If we can foster mutual affection through the power of music, I believe conflicts can be avoided. I hope this activity reaches more people."

Referring to Mr. Repin's comment, "I want more Japanese people to know Russian cuisine. While there are many Japanese restaurants in Moscow, Russian restaurants in Tokyo are still few," Mr. Yokoyama said, "I run an Italian restaurant, and Mr. Repin told me he wants me to open a Russian restaurant next. I'd like to find investors." This drew laughter from the audience, with Mr. Gergiev and Mr. Repin expressing their delight with applause.

On the same day, the Russian Embassy in Japan held a closing party for the international cultural project "Seasons of Russia" in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Announced by President Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, this large-scale cultural festival launched in June as a prologue to the mutual opening of the "Year of Russia in Japan" and the "Year of Japan in Russia," showcasing Russia's rich culture to the world. Japan was selected as the first host country. Over 250 events were held in 42 cities, including Tokyo, attracting approximately 3.5 million visitors.