Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding Delegation Visits the Embassy of Japan in Doha
On the occasion of the selection of Japanese as one of the languages of the 13th edition of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding in 2027, and as part of preparations for the Award’s upcoming cultural tour of Japan in November, a delegation from the Award visited the Embassy of Japan in Doha.
The delegation comprised Mr. Labib Al-Nahhas, Executive Director of the Award; Mr. Asaad Althefeeri, Executive Director of the Arab Center for International Relations; Ms. Leyla Mohammed, Academic Outreach Officer; and Mr. Mohamed Eldemiry, a member of the media team.
The delegation was received by Ms. Michiko Nariai, Head of the Cultural Section at the Embassy, and Ms. Marwa Karam, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs Officer.
The visit comes as Japanese returns as one of the Award’s selected languages for the second time in its history, following its previous selection in 2018. This reflects the importance the Award attaches to the Japanese language and its commitment to promoting translation and fostering cultural and intellectual exchange between Arabic and Japanese.
During the meeting, the delegation presented the program for its upcoming cultural tour of Japan, scheduled for 8–14 November 2026. The tour will take the delegation to Tokyo and Osaka and will include a series of visits and meetings with leading universities, academic and cultural institutions, publishing houses, and organizations involved in translation, Arab studies, and Middle Eastern studies, as well as meetings with Japanese translators, researchers, and media professionals.
Among the highlights of the program are meetings and events at the Japan–Arab Association, Waseda University, the University of Tokyo, and the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, in addition to meetings with publishing houses and cultural and media organizations. These engagements aim to introduce the Award and gain first-hand insight into the current state of translation between Arabic and Japanese and its prospects for further development.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Labib Al-Nahhas, Executive Director of the Award, said:
“The visit to Japan is particularly significant, as it is the first in the Award’s history, despite Japanese having previously been selected as one of the languages of the 2018 edition. The return of Japanese in the 2027 edition reflects the growth and development of translation between Arabic and Japanese. This tour embodies the Award’s philosophy of building cultural and intellectual bridges through direct engagement, gaining first-hand insight into the achievements and challenges of translation, and expanding the Award’s network of relationships with translators, academics, and institutions involved in translation and cultural exchange.”
The tour forms part of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding’s approach to engaging directly with key figures and institutions in the fields of translation, culture, and knowledge in countries whose languages are selected for its various editions. Through these efforts, the Award seeks to expand its international network, encourage translation from and into Arabic, and open new avenues for cooperation and cultural exchange among peoples.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Award delegation presented the Embassy with a copy of the commemorative book published to mark the Award’s tenth anniversary, while Ms. Michiko Nariai presented the delegation with commemorative gifts reflecting Japanese culture.