PESHAWAR, March 2: The world has become a global village because of advancements in information technology but distances still exist among peoples which could be removed through cultural exchanges, according to NWFP Minister for Culture, Tourism and Information Technology Hussain Ahmad Kanju.

The minister made the observation at the Japan Cultural Performances Programme held on Thursday evening by the Japanese mission in Islamabad in collaboration with the NWFP chapter of the Pak-Japan Culture Association at the Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Museum of the Peshawar University.

The function was also addressed by Japan’s Ambassador Seiji Kojima and president of the NWFP PJCA Dr Roeeda Kabir. Guests included the Honorary Consul-General for Japan in Peshawar, Nawabzada Fazal Karim Afridi and curator of the museum Dr Farooq Swati.

Major events of the Japan Week are Japanese tea ceremony, Ikebana demonstration, traditional music of Koto and Shamisen, karate, arts exhibition and calligraphy.—PPI