Japan has donated 178 books of the public library in Kulhudhuffushi City to enhance understanding of contemporary Japan.
The donation was handed over by Japanese Ambassador Ishigami Rumiko to Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Ahmed Athif during a visit to the northern Maldivian city on Sunday.
The books were donated under the Read Japan Project - an initiative launched in 2008 by The Nippon Foundation - with the objective of providing an accurate picture of contemporary Japan to readers all around the world.
Japan donates 178 books to the Kulhudhuffushi Public Library on May 11, 2025. (Photo/Embassy of Japan)
The books were selected by an international panel of experts and they cover five major genres pertaining to Japan:
Politics and international relations
Economics and business
Society and culture
Literature
Arts and history
Japanese Ambassador Ishigami Rumiko hands over a donation of 178 books to the Kulhudhuffushi Public Library on May 11, 2025. (Photo/Embassy of Japan)
The Embassy of Japan expressed hope the donation to the Kulhudhuffushi Public Library will evoke interest in Japan among the youth and students, and provide them with a deeper understanding of contemporary Japan.
Commenting on the donation, Ishigami said she was honored to hand over the books, and hopes it will foster deeper Maldives-Japan connections and understanding.
Honoured to hand over 178 books on #ReadJapanProject sponsored by #NipponFoundation to beautiful (No Shoes!) Kulhudhuffushi Public Library in the northern Maldives. Hope the books will foster deeper ????????????????connections and understanding!https://t.co/Uy2gLxEbP1 https://t.co/rfqiQZ6s6t pic.twitter.com/FaA97N8LTF
— ISHIGAMI Rumiko, Ambassador of Japan (@JapanAmbMV) May 11, 2025
Meanwhile, the Kulhudhuffushi City Council said the donation reflects a shared commitment to education and cultural exchange.
The council extended sincere gratitude to Ishigami, the Embassy of Japan, and the Nippon Foundation for the generous contribution.
Her Excellency Ishigami Rumiko officiated the handover ceremony of 178 books donated to the Kulhudhuffushi Public Library through the “Read Japan” Project, an initiative by the Nippon Foundation. Held at the Knowledge Centre, the ceremony reflected a shared commitment to… pic.twitter.com/J5hpvvcFO4
— Kulhudhuffushi City Council (@kfcitycouncil) May 11, 2025
Previously, The Nippon Foundation donated books under this project to the National Library of Maldives and Maldives College of Higher Education in 2010, Hiriya School in 2017, the Civil Service Training Institute in 2018 and Maldives National University in 2023.
Japanese Ambassador Ishigami Rumiko (L) meets with Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Ahmed Athif (R) on May 11, 2025. (Photo/Embassy of Japan)
During her recent visit to Kulhudhuffushi, Ishigami also paid a courtesy call on Athif and other councilors, and toured the Rahvehi Aasaasu Museum, the Maafalu Fengandu, and the Waste Management Center.
Her Excellency Ishigami Rumiko visited the Rahvehi Aasaasu Museum, Maafalu Fengandu, and the Waste Management Center during her tour of Kulhudhuffushi. We thank Ambassador Ishigami for her meaningful visit and bid her a warm farewell. @JapaninMaldives pic.twitter.com/aVfqHrzAOv
— Kulhudhuffushi City Council (@kfcitycouncil) May 11, 2025
In Kulhudhuffushi City, the government of Japan donated an emergency support vehicle and dewatering equipment to the Maldivian Red Crescent Kulhudhuffushi City Unit in 2024, under the Grass-Roots Human Security Projects scheme. This initiative was aimed at enhancing the city’s emergency response capacity and resilience in the face of natural disasters and environmental challenges.