The Japan Foundation has organised a photo exhibition in Kigali to showcase the Asian country’s transformation over the years.

Dubbed "Gazing at the Contemporary World,” the two-week exposition opened on Thursday at Petit Stadium in Remera.

The exhibition is composed of two themes; ‘A changing society,’ which focuses on human beings as members of society, and ‘Changing landscapes,’ which looks at cities, the suburbs and nature from which 76 photographs were exhibited by 23 photographers.

"This new traveling exhibition of Japanese photography from 1970s to the present is an overview of the diverse photographic expression that has emerged in Japan for all these years,” said Shintaro Nakaaki, the Japan Foundation representative. 

Officials said Japan is determined to promote international understanding through culture exchange, adding that Rwanda and Japan have a lot to learn from each other in several sectors.

"Japan should adopt Rwanda’s hardworking ethic that is under a clear vision, a common policy any country should follow,” Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita, said.

Miyashita commended the government on Made-in-Rwanda campaign, which, he said, resonates well with Japanese way of promoting self-reliance.

The Japan Foundation is a specialised public organisation founded in 1972 to promote international understanding through cultural exchange.

It also carries out programmes in a variety of fields, engaging in international dialogue through arts and cultural exchanges, promoting Japanese language education overseas, supporting Japanese studies and intellectual exchange.

As a way to enhance the understanding of Japanese arts and culture through the visual arts, the Foundation collaborates with overseas museums on a wide range of exhibitions from traditional to contemporary arts.

Speaking at the event, Julienne Uwacu, the minister for sports and culture, said arts are a channel of expression one can use to voice their views about the world.

"Not only do we see this as an art exhibition, but also can be a way we are able to learn more about Japan as a country and their culture,” said Uwacu.

She said such events, among many other projects that Japan is doing in Rwanda, are a way to strengthen bilateral ties.

Japan, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has supported Rwanda’s efforts to realise socio-economic development in four main sectors, including economic infrastructure, agriculture, water and sanitation, and education.

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