RIYADH: Japan has gifted the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee with Kendo equipment as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Formal diplomatic ties were first established on June 7, 1955, laying the foundations for a long-standing partnership.

To mark the occasion, Japanese ambassador Yasunari Morino attended a handover ceremony on Wednesday at the Riyadh Olympic Training Center, where approximately 20 shinai (bamboo swords) and 10 complete sets of Kendo armor were officially donated to the SOPC. 

Morino expressed his hope the donation would help increase the popularity of Kendo in Saudi Arabia and provide more opportunities for young Saudi athletes to engage with Japanese martial arts.

“I was happy to join the Olympic Day event organized by the Olympic Committee with many people, young and senior, participating. I hope Saudi people will enjoy practicing various sports, including Japanese martial arts,” the ambassador told Arab News.

Kendo, which translates as “The Way of the Sword,” is a discipline rooted in samurai traditions and is practiced widely in Japan and around the world. The Kingdom’s growing interest in Japanese martial arts reflects the deepening of cultural ties between the two nations, said the embassy.

The donation was enabled by the generous support of the All Japan Kendo Federation. As well as promoting Kendo, it is hoped it will foster greater mutual understanding and cultural exchange through sports between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was one of several initiatives organized by the Embassy of Japan throughout 2025 to commemorate the 70th anniversary. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka also marks the occasion.

It is hoped the expo will help the Kingdom reach its goal of attracting 30,000 Japanese visitors annually in the lead up to Expo 2030, which is due to take place in Riyadh.