We Are Tomodachi Japan and Russia Edition 2018

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4In August 2018, Yabusame, traditional Japanese horseback archery, was performed for the first time in Russia at the Central Moscow Hippodrome. The event was a great success, attended by many families.“For developing close partnership between Russia and Japan, cooperation in the personal sphere, people-to-people interactions, and cultural, scientific, and educational exchange are especially valuable. Improving our relationship in these fields will be achieved through the activities of both nations in this Russia-Japan cross cultural year of 2018—of that I am certain.”—Russian President Vladimir Putin emphatically expressed this sentiment at the Japan-Russia joint press conference on December 16, 2016.As part of point eight of the Eight-Point Cooperation Plan, “Fundamental expansion of people-to-people interaction,” the two nations are holding “Japan Year in Russia” and “Russia Year in Japan,” respectively. These events are being held nationwide in each country, with the aim of expanding relations between Japan and Russia in the fields of politics, trade, economics, culture, and interregional exchange, and are expected to increase the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between the people of both countries.As far as specific exchange events are concerned, the Russian cities of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk have already hosted Japanese taiko drum concerts and other performances, while Moscow has also had events conveying the charms of Japan’s various local regions, all to positive reviews. Prime Minister Abe participated in an opening ceremony for the year of exchange held at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow at the end of May and directly introduced the attractiveness of Japan to the Russian people. For the summer onward, there is a diverse range of events planned, including performances of Shochiku Grand Kabuki, an exhibition of for Deeper Japan-Russia Friendship Making 2018 an Opportunity