KARACHI, July 10: Speakers at a function on Saturday said that traditional cultural values of the East, besides love for peace, nature and flowers , were some of the common factors that were further strengthening the already strong friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan.

They were speaking at the certificate awarding ceremony of the 64th batch of the Ikebana classes, organized by the Japan Cultural Centre. Japanese Consul General Kanji Hanagata, First Women Bank's president Zarine Aziz, Prof Asifa Ataka and others spoke at the event, which was also visited by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan.

The consul general praised the students, who managed to attend the classes despite high temperatures and strict security restrictions that were enforced owing to certain unfortunate incident that occurred in the vicinity. It also proved the popularity of the Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, among the local population, he added.

He said that the Ikebana not only educated people, but it created a sense of unity among them and they shared a subtle, yet endless, feeling of joy.

He informed the audience that in Japan origami cranes were believed to be a symbol of peace, and whoever prepared 1,000 origami cranes from paper, his or her wish would be fulfilled. He urged the people to prepare 1,000 origami cranes, which would be presented to the City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, so that peace could return to Karachi.

FWB chief Zarine Aziz said that Japan's art and culture was known worldwide for its exquisiteness. The beautiful kimono, dolls, ceramics, music, origami, theatre, gardens, ikebana, bonsai, sushi etc, show how creative, tasteful and hard working is the mind of the Japanese people, she added.

She said that Ikebana, which is one of the beautiful Japanese arts, was alive and being practised in Japan with sacred fervour. Its originated from early Buddhist flower offerings and it developed into a distinctive art form since 15th century and had many styles or schools - such as rikka, magerie, shoka or seika, moribana, etc, she added.

She said that on the economic front also, Japan was the second-biggest economy, where the women were playing their due role in its development. She said it was heartening to know that the number of Japanese women entering universities and colleges exceeded that of men.

She said that here in Pakistan also the government had established the First Women Bank, particularly with an objective to provide full assistance and guidance to the women, so that they could participate in the progress and development of the country's economy.

Later, Sameen Javed, Arti Govindram, Habiba Haroon, Moona Kidwai, Rozmen Riaz, Yasmeen Asghar, Nazli Khalid, Ameena Ghazi and Ghazala Shaukat were given prizes, while the rest of the students were awarded certificates.