Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi

Enthronement of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Naruhito

Karachi, May 10, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, hosted a grand reception at his residence to celebrate the enthronement of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Naruhito. After three decades, Heisei era came to an end and Japan entered a new era, Reiwa, from May 1. The name of the new era, Reiwa, means “beautiful harmony.” This name was taken from the oldest existing poetry anthology “Manyoshu” and it represents a culture being born and nurtured by people’s hearts brought together in a beautiful manner.

On the occasion, Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Isomura, hoped that the new era continues to bring peace and economic prosperity to Japan as well as to all other countries in the new era and that the people from Japan and Pakistan work hand in hand to enhance the friendship furtherer. Mr. Isomura also invited the guests to visit Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympics as well as to his hometown, Osaka, which won the rights to host the 2025 World Expo.

For more information, contact:
Media Advisor,
Consulate General of Japan in Karachi
6/2 Civil Lines, Abdullah Haroon Road,
Karachi, 75530, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35220800
Fax: +92-21-35220820
Email: imran.khan@kr.mofa.go.jp

Japanese Government hands over a “Modern Transport Vehicle for The Intellectually Challenged Centre in Karachi” with a grant worth US$ 60,975

Karachi, April 10, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Government of Japan handed over a vehicle to Karachi Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) which is worth US$60,975 under ‘The Project for Providing Modern Transport Vehicle for The Intellectually Challenged Centre in Karachi, with the scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

The handing-over ceremony took place at the KVTC in the esteemed presence of Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, Dr. Akhtar Aziz Khan, President of KVTC, and Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, CEO of KVTC. KVTC is a therapy-based reintegration centre for intellectually challenged people. It aims to provide skill development and job placement to those facing such challenges in the daily lives.

The grant will provide basic transportation to the intellectually challenged in the sprawling port city of Karachi where, each year, thousands of lives are lost due to unsafe transportation services. The grant additionally serves to reduce barriers that KVTC students face in commuting and to better facilitate his/her opportunity for a rewarding educational experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Isomura said that human safety in terms of better transportation is the prerequisite for a megalopolis like Karachi. He stressed the urgency of raising public awareness regarding student safety, which often a time can be threatened in such a fast-paced city.

In response, KVTC President Dr. Akhtar Aziz Khan, also thanked the Consul-General and the people of Japan for the generosity they have shown towards the students at KVTC. This bus will undoubtedly provide the safety they both require and deserve on their educational journeys.

Karate workshop organized by Consulate General of Japan in Karachi

Karachi, March 31, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi hosted “Karate Workshop 2019” at the Japan Information and Culture Centre in cooperation with the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Karate is one of internationally recognized martial arts originating in Japan and has become popular in Pakistan. Now it is believed that there are around 40000 Karate players in Pakistan.

Also, Karate will be included in the Olympic event from the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. In such a historic moment, the workshop, with the presence of Mr. Katsutoshi SHIINA, a leading Karate player from Japan and JKA official instructor, 7th Dan [The levels are divided into “Kyu” and “Dan”, and the levels start from Kyu (10 to 1) to Dan (1 to 10)] will offer opportunities not only for the participants to enhance their martial arts skills but also for people of Pakistan to explore the fun and excitement of Karate. It will also promote the recognition of Karate as a new Olympic sport in Pakistan and enrich the cultural relationship between Japan and Pakistan.

During the two-day workshop, around 50 Pakistani Karate players participated in the training sessions and challenging for Kyu or Dan promotion tests. The Consulate General of Japan considers it important to establish relationships between Japan and Pakistan in various fields. The “Karate Workshop 2019” will contribute to development and strengthening of ties through the Japanese traditional martial arts “Karate” and enhancement of cooperation in sport sector towards the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020.

Reception for the former karate champion by Japanese Consul General

Karachi, March 28, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, hosted a reception for Mr. Katsutoshi Shiina, a former karate champion, at his residence. The members of Sindh Olympic Association and Pakistan Japan Cultural Association and other distinguished guests were also present at the reception.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, stated that Mr. Shiina’s guidance will help young Pakistani karate players enhance their skills and promote karate in Pakistan. Mr. Shiina, 7th Dan [The levels are divided into “Kyu” and “Dan”, and the levels start from Kyu (10 to 1) to Dan (1 to 10)], stated that he is happy to be back in Pakistan again and hoped that the Pakistani players keep up their work and dedication to karate and understand the rich Japanese culture through sports.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tariq Ali, member of Japan Karate Association emphasized that further cooperation between Pakistan and Japan in sports sector will help improve the standard of sports in Pakistan and strengthen the ties between the two countries.

The 34th Japanese Language Speech Contest

Karachi, March 26, 2019 (PPI-OT):The Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi and Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) organized the 34th Japanese Language Speech Contest at the Japan Information and Culture Center in Karachi. In the speech contest, 9 Japanese language students participated and showed their performance of their Japanese fluency.

The winner, Mr. Imran Saeed, spoke about the global warming and how dozens of people died from a suffocating heat wave last year in Karachi as temperatures exceed 40 Celsius degrees. He emphasized that we take immediate action to tackle the dangerous weather and save people’s lives from such serious threat. Ms. Urwa Sajjad, who gave a speech on “Grades don’t define you” was the runner-up and the third place went to Ms. Sumbul Mehmood who gave an interesting insight into the Japanese onomatopoeia.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, emphasized that learning a foreign language provides an opportunity to have a broader perspective of the culture and society of the country, and hoped that this annual event will further contribute to promote the Japanese language in Pakistan and then deepen the mutual understanding amongst people of both countries.

Tuna Fillet Making Demonstration at PJCA

Karachi, March 11, 2019 (PPI-OT): Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi and Pakistan Japan Culture Association (PJCA) held “Tuna Fillet Making Demonstration” at the Japan Information and Culture Center under the theme of “HAMARA DOSTANA.” Deputy Consul-General, Mr. Katsunori Ashida, who himself is an expert in making sushi, showcased his Japanese culinary skills with a step-by-step explanation of slicing and preparing tuna block for sushi and sashimi.

It was only about 150 years ago in Japan that it became common to eat fish that could be considered truly raw. Before then, fish was sometimes eaten uncooked, but it was salted and/or treated with vinegar to prevent deterioration through bacterial action. After soy sauce became available around the middle of the 16th century, some people would cut up raw fish, dip pieces in the sauce and eat it, but this practice spread to the common folk only around the middle of the 19th century. And actually, eating raw fish only became widespread after World War II, thanks to advances in electrical refrigeration, trucking, and urban sanitation, including garbage removal.

Sashimi and sushi are the best known ways to serve raw fish. The word “sashimi” used to mean any sliced up food, including vegetables and tofu. The food is cut into bite-size pieces, either with the grain or against it, always with the aim of getting the best taste. Sashimi is cuisine made with knives. Sushi is now popular worldwide. Hand-moulded sushi consists of two parts – an easy-to-handle clump of rice seasoned with vinegar, and a topping of raw or cooked seafood.

Years ago, sushi developed as a food that was treated to keep it fresh, but today the hand-moulded version is rice with some topping. The vinegar is a preservative and helps prevent the ingredients from deteriorating. Mr. Ashida appreciated the fact that the Japanese dishes are gradually emerging in Pakistan and hoped that the local people get a chance to enjoy one of the world’s most renowned cuisine through the demonstration.

Japanese Calendar Exhibition 2019

Karachi, February 18, 2019 (PPI-OT): The opening ceremony for the “Japanese Calendar Exhibition 2019” was held at the Japan Information and Culture Center in the Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi. The event began with an enriching performance by Mr. Ashida Katsunori, Acting Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, along with the Consulate staffs. He demonstrated his talents on a ‘Wadaiko’; Japanese drums and engulfed the audience in the captivity of its music.

The artistic aura of the event shined through the carefully displayed calendars and each calendar had a distinctive theme attached to it; providing the audience a chance to experience various aspects of Japan. To top it off, a lucky draw was conducted which allowed the people to take a bit of the experience back home with themselves.

To all those who would like to experience a glimpse of Japan, the exhibition is open to the general public for two days 19th to 20th February, 2019. All guests are required to pre-register themselves via email: culture@kr.mofa.go.jp. Entrance without registration will not be allowed.