Newsletter No. 1378
News-Analysis
June 10, 2009

 

JAPAN AND TUNISIA CARRY ON LOW-KEY COOPERATION EFFORTS

We haven’t been hearing much about Japan-Tunisia relations in recent years. In fact, this Newsletter is only the third one devoted to Japan-Tunisia relations since we began; the last one was three years ago. When stories do appear in the media, of course, we collect them, and this missive will bring us up to date.

Last week, Hiroyuki Abe, vice-president of the Higher Japanese Council of Science and Technology, was reported to have visited Tunisia and met with Prime Minister Muhammad Ghannouchi. Cooperation in the field of science and technology seems to be the main axis of this particular bilateral relationship. Japan is currently involved in several scientific and technological partnership programs with Tunisian universities and technological parks such as the one at the Bordj Cedria technological pole. Bilateral symposiums and programs on science and technology were launched beginning in 1997.

A similar initiative was mentioned in a news report last December. The information stated that Yasaki, a leading cable and wire group, would open a major plant in the southern Tunisian town of Gafsa, as well as another one in Le Kef, western Tunisia. The report was rather vague as to specifics, but the implication was that this project would help employ up to 3,000 Tunisian nationals.

Cultural Programs

Just about all of the other stories that we have been collecting on Japan-Tunisia relations relate to cultural issues.

Traditional Japanese Art Exhibition: In February, a traveling exhibition called “Konnichiwa” was hosted by the Kenza Art Gallery at la Marsa, north of Tunis. The works of thirteen international artists were featured, all of whom based their theme on traditional Japanese art. This event was organized by JICA.

Ikebana Exhibition: In March, an ikebana exhibition was held at the Ibn Rachiq Culture Centre in Tunis. The Japanese embassy in Tunisia was a key organizer.

Mogod Ponies: Japan is involved in some unspecified manner in helping to protect Tunisia’s Mogod ponies, an endangered species now found only in a reserve between the towns of Nefza and Tabarka.