ISLAMABAD: A Japanese diplomat on Thursday said his government had decided to invite Pakistani technical interns and skilled workers to Japan.

Yusuke Shindo, charge d’affairs at the Embassy of Japan, was speaking after opening a photographic exhibition: Japan - through the lens at the National Art Gallery of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

The event has been organised by the Japanese embassy in collaboration with Photographic Society of Pakistan as a part of the Islamabad Art Festival (IAF19).

“For those Pakistanis who are interested in coming to Japan, today’s event will give an opportunity to see what can be your life in Japan,” the diplomat said.

The purpose of the photographic exhibition, Mr Shindo said, was to showcase and introduce various facets of modern city life of Japan to our Pakistani friends.

Japanese diplomat invites Pakistani technical interns, skilled workers

He was amazed at the creativity and artistic ability of Pakistani photographers who have captured different socio-cultural scenes and life in today’s Japan.

Mr Shindo also stressed on frequent cultural exchanges to strengthen people-to-people contacts between the two countries for better understanding of each other’s cultures and ways of living.

He thanked the PNCA for affording them the opportunity for the exhibition.

PNCA executive director Amna Ismail Patudi said Pakistan and Japan were custodians of common cultural heritage.

The two countries, she said, enjoyed deep diplomatic, economic and cultural relations and this exhibition was a good example of the cordial relations.

She appreciated the work of the photographers and quoted an adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” which is evident from the power of electronic media. If the photographer behind the lens is talented and visionary, the pictures are like encyclopedias in colour, she commented.

Sajid Abbasi, senior press and information adviser of the Japanese embassy, told Dawn that the show was part of the celebrations of ‘A month of Japanese culture’ to showcase different facets of Japanese lifestyle and society.

The exhibition features a collection of 30 photographs taken by six Pakistani photographers who traveled to Tokyo on the invitation of Japan Photographic Society to participate in a similar show there. There are 10 pictures on display taken by two Japanese photographers.

Masood Ahmed Khan, president Photographic Society of Pakistan, said photography had become a strong tool to capture an event and life and spread all over the world effectively.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Khan said every year the Photographic Society of Japan invites photographers from a single country of South Asia to showcase their work in the country.

This year they had invited six photographers from Pakistan who showcased the photos depicting the rich heritage, cultural diversity and beauty of Pakistan in Tokyo’s four galleries.

Mr Khan and other photographers said they were impressed by the development, discipline, simplicity and dedication of the Japanese people.

Affluent people and corporations patronise and help photographers and artists to promote their culture, they said.

The exhibition aims to highlight some aspects of Japan, including street life and culture.

The six photographers visited Japan in May-June to exhibit their photographs at the Tokyo Photo Festival showcasing the picturesque landscapes, natural beauty, cultural heritage, lifestyle, people and wildlife of Pakistan.

The exhibition at the PNCA will remain open till Nov 30.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2019