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BEIRUT: Magoshi Masayuki, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon, on Tuesday attended the ceremony to hand over a solar power system to the Al Midan training center and the North Autism Center located in Zgharta, North Lebanon.

The initiative was supported through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program (GGP).

The ceremony was held in the presence of Rima Frangieh, Founder of Al Midan and NAC; Lamia Yammine, Executive Director of Al Midan, and Former Minister of Labor; Sabine Saad, Executive Director of NAC; Pierro Doueihy, President of the Municipality of Zgharta-Ehden; and Bassam Haykal, President of the Union of Municipalities of Zgharta.

Al Midan is providing various training opportunities for vulnerable people in Zgharta, North Lebanon, while the North Autism Center has been serving youth with autism and other special needs in the region through specialized sessions and learning opportunities.

Given the pivotal roles both centers have played in the region, Japan supported Al Midan with a solar panel system to help address the centers’ pressing need for stable energy supply, which allowed them to increase the number of students and enhance the learning environment.

During the ceremony, Ambassador MAGOSHI highlighted Japan’s recent support for solar power projects across Lebanon in various sectors and emphasized the importance of this initiative.

He also reiterated Japan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Lebanon’s education sector to help Lebanon overcome the ongoing socio-economic challenges.

In return, Rima expressed deep gratitude for the Japanese support, emphasizing the vital role this solar energy system plays in sustaining services at both centers.

She highlighted how the reliable energy supply has already begun to improve the learning conditions for children with special needs and enhance access to essential training programs for the community.

She also reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to creating inclusive and resilient spaces for all.

TOKYO: The Saudi Ministry of Culture hosted the Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka from July 12 to 15 at the Osaka Expo’s Gallery EAST to celebrate Saudi culture and the cultural intersections between Japan and ��������.

The event was held in honor of the Kingdom’s designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts and highlighted artistic exchange between the two countries.

It offered a diverse program of exhibitions, performances and interactive showcases that invited visitors to explore the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and learn about the traditions shared by both nations.

It was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture with the participation of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, the Saudi Artisanal Company, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy, and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives.

Visitors were welcomed into the Saudi Heritage Majlis, where they experienced traditional Saudi hospitality and viewed side-by-side presentations of cultural garments, including a Saudi bisht and a Japanese kimono.

Live performances by a Saudi oud musician and a Japanese shamisen musician symbolized the harmony between the two cultures.

The program also featured collaborative demonstrations with Saudi and Japanese artisans presenting crafts together, including Al-Sadu weaving and Japanese tapestry, Khous making and bamboo crafting, and pottery from both traditions.

Visitors participated in hands-on workshops led by craftspeople and students, highlighting the event’s emphasis on cultural exchange and shared learning.

A photographic exhibition curated by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives chronicled the history of Saudi Japanese relations over the past seven decades.