Iran, Japan to conduct joint research on handicrafts

Iran and Japan will launch a joint research project in the handicrafts sector, announced the deputy head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicraft, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) on Tuesday.

Pouya Mahmoudian, told IRNA that an agreement with the Japanese Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) was signed to boost scientific, cultural and educational cooperation between ICHHTO’S Department of Handicrafts and Traditional Arts and the foundation.

“Given the fact that more than 75 percent of Iranians involved in the handicrafts industry are women, and we believe that the artists are messengers of peace, it was agreed that the first joint program will be held next year under the title ‘Women and Handicrafts’ with a focus on Iranian women,” the official said.

The joint project will be in the framework of a research program and the results will be released, he said, adding that a number of educational and art workshops will also be held.

The agreement will pave the ground for further talks and information exchange which will be a prelude for future specialized cooperation revolving around women issues, according to the official. Considering the point that handicrafts are considered as a green industry, bilateral ties will be upgraded to include projects on environmental issues and entrepreneurship, Mahmoudian said. The Executive Director of SPF Junko Chano pointed out that Sasakawa has already conducted joint projects with other Iranian institutes, such as Foreign Ministry and National Library and Archives of Iran.