Malta is a beautiful island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean, with a population of about 400,000 people. Having joined the EU in May 2004, it is highly expected that its accession will prove to be an opportunity for the country to witness new developments.

On the occasion of the 2005 EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Malta, the Embassy of Japan in Italy, which is accredited to Malta, organized Japan Week in Malta. At the opening ceremony on July 27, following the opening remarks by Ambassador of Japan to Malta Nobuko Matsubara, Minister for Tourism and Culture Francis Zammit Dimech extended his words of welcome and House of Representatives member Mayumi Moriyama, who is also the President of the Japan Camera Industry Institute, the co-organizer of the photo exhibition "100 Years of Tokyo," introduced the exhibition. The people of Malta have limited contact with Japan in their daily lives, and Japan Week in Malta was held with the aim of deepening the Maltese people’s knowledge and understanding of a wide range of areas concerning Japan. A rich variety of events were, therefore, carried out in addition to the photo exhibition, including the Festival of Japanese Films, a sumi-e workshop, Demonstration of Japanese Cuisine and a Japanese language course. In addition, many works of the local ikebana and bonsai clubs were on display at the venue, which contributed to creating an elegant Japanese-style aesthetic space. Throughout the week more than 1,000 people visited the venues, hugely exceeding expectations and making the event a great sensation.

At the end of July, vessels of the JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) on their way of overseas training cruise docked in Malta for the first time in 14 years and a variety of events were held. The reception was attended on the Maltese side by President Edward Fenech-Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Cabinet members, as well as VIPs and ambassadors from different countries, which greatly enhanced the presence of Japan in Malta. Furthermore, a martial arts demonstration jointly conducted by the members of the JMSDF and local martial arts clubs, and an open-air music festival organized by the JMSDF band, served to deepen the level of exchanges with the local people.

In order to ensure that such exchanges continue to make steady progress in the years to come as momentum for the continually developing relations between Japan and Malta, the Embassy of Japan in Italy hopes to continue proactively carrying out such PR cultural activities.