On March 20, 2022, diplomats, dignitaries, and esteemed guests gathered at the Hampar Room to celebrate a very special occasion, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Armenia, in an evening of music and bridging the next generation of leaders titled the “Japan-Armenia Friendship Event.”

Organized by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, and the Japan Foundation Los Angeles, the event was a celebration not only of the political and economic relations between two countries, but the bonds that have been weaved and continue to weave between two peoples, embedded on exceptional mutual respect and admiration of each other’s culture, history, and the common values they hold dear.

The event was marked by the remarks of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, His Excellency Akira Muto, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, and His Excellency Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles.

By means of a special video interview, guests were greeted by His Excellency Ambassador Masanori Fukushima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia, who spoke of the century-long relations between the Japanese and Armenian people, the prospects of further collaboration, and the warm hearts that both peoples are blessed with.

The evening was made magical through the melody of the koto, the Japanese traditional instrument, and the shakuhachi, a Japanese wind instrument, played by Kozue Matsumoto and Rachel Rudich of the Hana Habiki Duo.  Playing folk pieces by Japanese composers and Armenian music written by Komitas, the Hana Habiki Duo transported the participants on a journey through the spirits of the two peoples.

During the event, speakers remarked that the relations between the Japanese and Armenian people date back at least one hundred years.  In 1922, Viscount Eiichi Shibusawa became the chairman of the newly formed Armenian Relief Committee of Japan, established to provide relief to survivors of the Armenian Genocide.  During the same period, Diana Apcar, Honorary Consul of Armenia to Japan, helped Armenian refugees arriving in Japan without official documentation receive special asylum by the Japanese government and secure necessary documents to continue their journeys and reconnect with their families.  During the 1922 tragedy of Smyrna, a Japanese ship was one of the few that dared to approach the burning city to save hundreds of Armenian and Greek survivors and deliver them to safety.

The friendship and connection of the Japanese and Armenian peoples have grown deeper since.  After the Spitak Earthquake of 1988, Japan rushed to the assistance of the Armenian people. Today, Armenia houses two Japanese centers dedicated to the promotion of Japanese language education and culture in Armenia: the “Iroha” Center, and the AJP “Hikari” Centre. Additionally, Japanese specialists are involved in the restoration of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the international fundraising efforts of which are led by Archbishop Derderian.

Similarly, Japan houses the Japan-Armenia Friendship Association, dedicated to the promotion of Armenian history and culture in Japan, founded in 1984 by Japanese public figure, historian, and writer Hideharu Nakajima. The Association publishes two quarterly magazines in Japanese, called the Araks and the Ararat. Japan also houses a Center for Armenian Studies in Tokyo, as well as the Komitas Musical Society of Japan.

The event was followed by a rich reception of Japanese and Armenian food and drink.  Gracing the festivity with their speeches were two young leaders representing their peoples, Jennifer Hirano of the L.A. Next Generation Japanese American-Yonsei Leaders and Delilah Shahbazian of the Nerouj Initiative.  Guests enjoyed a presentation on sake by Ozeki Sake, as well as karaage chicken by Torisho and rice balls “onigiri” by Zensho Group.

The event was emceed by Stepan Khzrtian, Esq., whose remarks expressed the sentiment of this special occasion: may the friendship of the Japanese and Armenian peoples, and the partnership between their countries, live on and prosper until the pebbles turn into boulders, as stated in the Japanese national anthem, and for centuries and centuries, as stated in the Armenian national anthem.