Bilateral cooperation in cultural and humanitarian sphere brings Kazakhstan and Japan closer: President of the Japan Foundation Hiroyasu Ando

Dear Mr. Ando, how do you estimate the current level of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Japan? Japan and Kazakhstan enjoy and constantly develop friendly relations. With rapidly growing inflow of Japanese goods, household electric devices and vehicles into Kazakhstan, I believe that Japan is ticketed as a reliable and well-reputed partner. Kazakhstani people have the feelings of deep respect and warm friendship towards Japan. In 2012, Japan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries celebrated 20 years of diplomatic relations. We partnered to celebrate that milestone in a number of projects. It was a wonderful opportunity to further promote friendly relations between the countries. What can you tell us about the progress in bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation? I believe that cultural exchange is an indispensable part of the humanitarian sphere, hence, I would like to answer your question based on three main directions of the activity of the Japan Foundation. In the sphere of arts and cultural exchange, we continuously promote the understanding of Japan through a variety of international cultural exchange programs to generate intense public interest to Japan among Kazakhstanis. For instance, we organized "The Dolls of Japan" exhibitions in Astana and Almaty cities in 2011 and a concert of traditional Japanese music at the Kazakh National Arts University in Astana in 2012 to commemorate the 20th jubilee of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kazakhstan. Together with the Japanese Embassy in Kazakhstan we would like to hold more remarkable events to draw the interest of Kazakhstani public to our country. As for the Japanese-language education overseas, we dispatch our specialists to the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University that has the longest history of the Japanese-language education in Kazakhstan, we conduct the Japanese language courses at the Kazakhstani-Japanese Center of Human Resources Development, offer to sit the JLPT language test in Astana and Almaty cities as well as academic programs in Japan for Kazakhstani teachers and students. In the years to come, we are keen to promote the Japanese language learning in your country. We are also making the first faltering steps in terms of development of the Japanese studies and intellectual exchange in Kazakhstan. That sphere looks quite promising. The Nazarbayev Center was established and the Astana Opera Theater was unveiled in the Kazakh capital - Astana over the past few years. Does the Japan Foundation have any plans to establish cooperation with the leading educational and cultural centers of Kazakhstan? This is quite symbolic that the Nazarbayev University, being at the heart of Kazakhstan's academic life and intellectual exchanges, was established in the capital - Astana. The Japan Foundation is ready to support the university, in case it decides to offer the Japanese studies and Japanese language courses. In future, we would like to eye the new Astana Opera and Ballet Theater as a platform for conduction of cultural programs. Is the Japan Foundation going to partake in the EXPO-2017 event in Astana? When the Japanese authorities announce their participation in the international exhibition, we will look into the possibility of arranging a number of cultural events in the Kazakh capital. Thank you for the interview!