"In 2003 I'd presented a concept paper to H.E , the Ambassador of Embassy of Japan advocating "NICE". A lot has been done since then in the field of cultural exchange between the two countries but I feel that a lot more still has to be done...Cultural Interaction according to me is an ongoing process where nothing is ever enough...there is no ending as such. My work in this field has been appreciated and recognized by the Embassy & PM Abe's wife in 2007.I would like to share my thoughts..."NICE". My father inspired me in this direction and contributed mostly to the thought process in this paper.  What is mentioned in this paper can be applied to cultural relationships between any other countries as well."

                                                                                     -Simrit    

NICE 

NIPPON - INDIA CULTURAL

EXCHANGE

 

A Japanese Government Cultural Exchange Programme to Build Enlarged Cultural Links

With India

(CONCEPT PAPER)

General Background:

• In the last few years Japan and India have made considerable progress in building strong relationships in the political and economic fields. A lot can be done in the cultural field.

• Cultural exchanges and relations between Japan and India presently seem to rest only on academic exchanges and fine arts.

• As such they do not bridge the “psychological distance” that exists between the Japanese people and the Indian people in terms of a better knowledge about each other’s countries and thereby do not generate comprehensively the full potential of mutual goodwill.

• While Indians are largely aware of Japan’s strengths in every field, the Japanese people at large are not fully aware of India’s emerging potential. In the cultural field, many in Japan are not aware of the Indian ethos, India’s lifestyles and India’s rich cultural heritage.

• India may be blamed for not doing enough in promoting India’s cultural heritage in Japan.

• Japan as the richer nation (US $700 billion foreign exchange reserves as compared to India’s $109 billion) is better placed financially and administratively to take on the noble task of building strong cultural bonds between Japan and India.

• It is with this background that the proposal of “NICE” is advocated. “NICE” is the acronyms suggested for a new programme: “NIPPON-INDIA CULTURAL EXCHANGE”.

AIMS OF “NICE”

• Overall aim: “To Build Strong Cultural Bonds between Japan and India”.

• “NICE” would attempt to comprehensively enlarge cultural exchanges between Japan and India from the traditional diplomatic focus of Japan Foundation and Japan Cultural & Information Centre activities.

• “NICE” would focus on more “people to people” cultural exchange between Japan and India.

SPECIAL FOCUS OF “NICE”

• Promote and organize visits to India by “student groups” from Japanese Junior High and High Schools and vice-versa.

• Promote and organize visits of “teacher groups” from Japanese Junior High and High Schools to visit India and vice-versa.

• To organize “student summer camps” from Japanese educational institutions in India.

• Promote exchanges between IT professionals of younger generation of both countries.

• Organize “DISCOVER JAPAN” audio-visual programmes in Indian educational institutions. Could be enlarged to “DISCOVER INDIA” programmes in Japan under the auspices of “NICE”.

• Organize visits to India by groups from Japanese local government administrative offices as “Discovery of India” (To include Board of Education officials also)

• Organize seminars/workshops in India for research scholars and young professors from Japanese Universities with the main theme being “JAPAN INDIA CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CO-OPERATION” perspectives.

• Organize visits to India of “women groups” from Japanese Women Social Organizations.

• Selection, co-ordination and comprehensive briefing of JETs (Japan Exchange Teachers). JETs can be the best “cultural ambassadors” to forge cultural bonds between Japan and India.

• Organize “Cultural Workshops” on Japan –India cultural topics in various parts of India by participation of Japanese and Indian personalities.

• Organize “Japanese Food Festivals” in major Indian cities.

• Arrange Workshops of Japanese and Indian Scholars to discover convergences in Japanese and Indian culture.

• Bring our periodicals and literature on Japanese and Indian culture for distribution to educational institutions in Japan and India.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

• This short brief is only a “concept paper” outlining the concept in general.

• “NICE” is intended to be a supplement to promotion of Japan-India cultural relations’ activities undertaken by Embassy of Japan and Japan Foundation.

• “NICE” would attempt its focus on the “younger generation” of Japan and India. They are the future of both countries and it is their understanding of each other that would forge and cement Japan-India friendship through the medium of cultural exchanges.

• Therefore educational institutions in Japan and India through exchange of visits by student groups and educational officials would be given special focus.

OVERALL DIRECTION AND CONTROL

• Patron HE, the Ambassador of Japan in India.

• Direction & Control: To be nominated by the Ambassador of Japan in India from within the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

• Financial resources to run NICE may be found from:

1. Japanese Government

2. Japanese Business Houses in India.

DIRECTOR “NICE”

• To be selected by the HE, the Ambassador of Japan in India.

Criteria for Selection:

1. Individual should be fluent in Japanese, English and Hindi.

2. Individual should have adequate exposure to Japanese culture and Indian culture.

3. Background of individual should incorporate personal exposure to Japanese way of life, working of Japanese educational institutions and would have stayed in Japan for appreciable length of time.

4. Individual should be genuinely fond of Japanese culture and its ethos.

5. Preferred age group: 30-40 years to ensure dynamism.