10421100_599759286824232_2662014859774066579_nOn February 21, the event “Strengthening Japan-Lithuania relations” was organized during the Vilnius Book Fair 2015 on the occasion of the presentation of the book “Colors and Tastes of Japan” written by the head of the Centre for Asian Studies, Dr Aurelijus Zykas. The event attracted c. 500 spectators and was also broadcasted online, thus reaching a broad audience countrywide.

During the event, H.E. Kazuko Shiraishi, Ambassador of Japan in Lithuania, introduced history and current situation of Japan-Lithuania relations. She touched the historical occasions, such as Bunkyū mission of 1863 which passed through Kaunas, Lithuanian POWs in Japan after the Russo-Japanese war, Steponas Kairys who published the first ever books on Japan in Lithuanian and consul Chiune Sugihara. Ambassador also touched the topics about the cultural differences between Lithuanian and Japanese and explained the main reasons of the economic miracle of Japan. “Although there still is much of space for developing our mutual relations, I do hope that in future they will bloom like cherry blossoms are blooming every spring in Sugihara Park in Vilnius”, – Ambassador concluded.

Dr. Aurelijus Zykas, head of the Centre for Asian Studies of Vytautas Magnus University, presented his personal attitude towards Japan and his personal relationships with this country. 20 years ago he started learning Japanese language self-dependently and later continued learning at the courses in Vytautas Magnus University. 15 years ago he had opportunity to study in Japan. “When I landed in Japan for the first time, it seamed that even the air was different there. The concept of space, people’s attitude, everything was different.” – he said. Since then Dr. Zykas has been developing Japan-Lithuania academic exchange. Dr. Zykas put his experiences of more than 4 years of living in Japan into a colorful book “Colors and Tastes of Japan”, which was published last year and became very popular in Lithuania. This year the second edition of the book was issued.

Dr. Rimantas Vaitkus, president of Lithuania-Japan Friendship Association, also shared his personal impressions about Japan, and concentrated on the economic relations between two countries. He mentioned that there is trade disbalanse between both countries (Lithuania tends to export more than import). The main products of Lithuania are diary products and lasers, while Japan mainly exports cars and tires to Lithuania. Dr. Vaitkus also mentioned some past investments from Japan, like Koei Co., and emphasized the potential of Hitachi, Ltd. as a possible future investor.

Mr. Kęstutis Ptakauskas, director of Bonsai Studio “Sensei”, has been organizing very successful events of Japanese culture for last ten years. He has been introducing the culture of Bonsai trees and Japanese gardens to Lithuania, and his annual festivals of Japanese arts attract thousands of visitors. During his presentation, Mr. Ptakauskas shared the plans of the festivals of 2015 and 2016, and also shortly introduced the plans to create the public Japanese garden in Vilnius.

A famous Lithuanian journalist, Mr. Richardas Jonaitis, concluded the event by expressing hope that the mutual relations between two countries will flourish not only in cultural and academic, but also in economic fields as well.