Embassy of Japan in Bahrain
在バーレーン王国日本国大使館

Mrs. Amal Jasim Al-Qallaf, English Teacher at Um Kalthoom Intermediate Girlfs School, Ministry of Education is attending a Japanese program, "The Training for GCC Educationalists 2008" from 9th to 22nd November 2008.
The program intends to provide opportunities for administrators or teachers of Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to familiarize and obtain direct information on the Japanese educational system in order to strengthen the mutual understanding and goodwill between Japan and their countries. Mrs. Amal Jasim Al-Qallaf will be acquainted with Japanese educational method, teacher education and evaluation, and will visit the technical schools which support Japanese high-tech industry and other institutes for teacherfs development and multimedia education.

The Japanese Government presented opportunities for two Bahrainis to pursue their research studies in Japan. Dr. Majeed Safar Jasim, Assistant Professor of University of Bahrain and Ms. Amna Hamad Ali Al Romaihi, Assistant Researcher of Bahrain Center for Studies and Research left for Japan to take part in the"Middle East Group Study Program 2008" from 10th to 29th November 2008.
Eighteen participants including two Bahrainis from the Middle East will have collaborative interaction through a series of lectures, participants’ presentations, field trips and workshops organized around the overall theme of "Development and Society: from Political, Economic and Cultural Perspectives".
Dr. Majeed Jasim’s topic of research is "Climate Change and Human Development: A Comparative Study of Different Societies", Ms. Amna Al Romaihi’s is "E-learning Rule in Development of Society".
The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Takeshi Kondo expressed his hope that the participants will develop their network with Japanese researchers in their respective specialized fields of research through the Program.
The organizer of this program, the Japan Foundation, has selected them from thirteen Bahraini candidates who applied for this program. This is the first participation for the Kingdom of Bahrain in this program, which will enhance cooperation between Japan and the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of humanities and social sciences.

Ms. Khulood Abdulla Abdulla, Mathematics teacher of Hidd Intermediate Secondary Girls School, Mr. Aqeel Yousf Ali, English language teacher of Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Secondary Boys School and Ms. Khulood Abdulla Albalooshi, English language teacher of Omima Bent Al-Noman Secondary Girls School left for Japan to take part in “Group-Tour Program for Secondary-School Educators 2008” provided by the Japan Foundation from 2th1 October to 5th November 2008.
This program aspires to provide opportunities for secondary school teachers and administrators from all over the world to observe first-hand the educational system, culture and society of Japan and thereby to further strengthen the friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and their countries.
Three Bahraini teachers, together with another 94 secondary school educators from 33 countries will attend lectures on Japanese education, visit schools and have city tours in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto.

His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force and Chairman of the Economic Development Board made an official visit to Japan from October 8th through October 13th.
During his stay in Japan, H.H. Shaikh Salman had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, and met Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako.
H.H. Shaikh Salman also discussed bilateral relations with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, and received at his residence in Tokyo, top executives and leaders of Japanese business community.
H.H. Shaikh Salman also visited Waseda University, one of the most prestigious universities in Japan and delivered a landmark speech entitled "The Middle East: From the Inside Looking Out"

The establishment of Bahrain - Japan Friendship Society was announced on the evening of 24th September evening at the Y. B. A. Kanoo guest house. The Ministry of Social Development had formally approved the establishment of the said Society.
The elected board members are Mr. Mubarak Jassim Kanoo as chairman of Society, Mr. Norihiko Kato (the Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ) as vice chairman, Mr. Naser AlArayedh, Mr. Ahmed Al Noaimi, Mr. Nabil Ajoor, Mr. Takuya Furuya, Mr. Yoshiyuki Kita, Mr. Yusuke Sekiguchi & Mr. Qays Zu’bi.

The objectives of the Society are, 1) Strengthening friendly relations and understanding between the two peoples of Bahrain and Japan, 2) Encouraging cooperative relationships between the two countries in the economic, cultural, sport, tourism or scientific fields, 3) Developing friendly relations and cooperation between Japanese citizens residing in Bahrain and Bahraini people in social, cultural and sport fields.
Mr. Mubarak Jassim Kanoo said that he had been waiting for the Society to be established and would like to conduct various activities including dispatch of Bahraini members to Japan as a delegation of the Society. Mr. Norihiko Kato said that the Society will certainly be a good vehicle for us to deepen our mutual understanding and friendship between our two countries.

The Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Takeshi Kondo, Honorary Member, who was also present at the announcement, welcomed the establishment of the Society and lauded Mr. Jassim Kanoo’s leadership.
Bahrain- Japan Friendship Society, as it commences its actual activities, welcomes the participation of Bahraini and Japanese businesspersons, as well as other individuals, who have interest in promoting the existing friendly relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Mr. Yacoub Salman Al-Slaise, a Specialist at the Ministry of Education has been accepted as a schorlarship student to study Multimedia Technology in Education at Nagoya University as a scholarship student. He left for Japan on 2nd October, and will take part in the program organized by the Government of Japan. He is expected to stay in Japan for 2 to 3 years until he obtains a Master Degree.
Japanese Government selected two candidates in this program for 2008. Mr. Hasan Abdulridha Kadhim left for Japan in April 2008 and he is staying as a researcher at University of Tsukuba.

Mr.Ahmed Mohamed Hakeem Alteraifi, Third Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain is kindly invited to join the Japanese-Language Program for Foreign-Service Officers provided by the Government of Japan. From the study, he will be in Japan for eight months (from October 2008 to late May 2009). The program includes the study of practical Japanese language , culture and society of Japan. In addition to intensive language lessons, the Program provides the participants with various courses on Japan including lectures on Japan's foreign policy, field trips to various places in Japan, weekend excursions, and home stays in order to deepen the understanding of Japanese culture in multitudinal aspects.

Mr. Ahmed Ebrahim Abdulla will be participating in the Japanese-Language Program for Overseas Students (Outstanding Students) provided by the Japan Foundation in Osaka, Japan from 10th to 24th September 2008.He has been studying Japanese in the “Continuing Education Program” provided by Ministry of Education, which is supported by NOMURA Bahrain-Japan Friendship Fund established in 1990.The program intends to avail students of Japanese language with the opportunity to visit Japan and to deepen their knowledge of Japanese language, society and culture as an incentive to further encourage their study.
Mr. Ahmed Ebrahim Abdulla will benefit from visiting cultural and industrial facilities, and historical sites, as well as experiencing living with a Japanese host family.

Seven girls and boys who participated in the summer program of the Youth Innovation Centre visited the embassy of Japan to learn about Japanese culture on the 15th July 2008. They were given a small tour of the embassy. They were introduced to origami (the traditional art of paper folding) and taught to make cranes and also acquainted with dressing in traditional Japanese clothes – The Kimono. They were also given a brief Japanese language lesson. A member of the 20th ship for World Youth Program also attended the visit.

A prominent delegation of the House of Representatives of Japan, led by Hon. Ryotaro Tanose, a senior member of Budget Committee and Former Senior Vice-Finance Minister, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from 6th to 8th July 2008. During the visit, they met Deputy Prime Minister H.H. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance, H.E. Shaikh Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil and Gas Affairs, H.E. Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza, Minister of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Governor of Central Bank of Bahrain, H.E. Mr. Rasheed Al Maraj, First Vice-Speaker of the Council of Representatives H.E. Mr. Ghanim Fadhel Al Buaeneen and Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives and President of Bahrain-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Committee H.E. Dr. Salah Ali Abdulrahman.

At the Bahrain International Airport. From left to right: M ember of the House of Representatives Hon. Koichiro Gemba, Hon. Toshiaki Endo, Second Vice-Speaker of the Council of Representatives H.E. Dr. Salah Ali Abdulrahman, M ember of the House of Representatives Hon. Ryotaro Tanose, First Vice-Speaker of the Council of Representatives H.E. Mr. Ghanim Fadhel Al Buaeneen, Japanese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Takeshi Kondo, M ember of the House of Representatives Hon. Yoshitake Masuhara.

The delegation met H.E. Sh. Ahmad, Minister of Finance.

Mr. Okuda, Special Envoy of the Prime Minster, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from 5th to 6th July 2008. During his visit, he was received by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and presented to His Majesty a personal letter from the Japanese Prime Minister. He also met Prime Minister H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance H.E. Shaikh Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil and Gas Affairs H.E. Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza and Governor of Central Bank of Bahrain H.E. Mr. Rasheed Al Maraj.

Mr. Okuda having an audience with H.M. King Hamad (By courtesy of BNA)