UAE Unveils Japan Culture Center: Global Hub for Arts & Heritage

Dubai, UAE : Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG) has unveiled the Japan Culture Center (JCC), a transformative cultural landmark designed to celebrate and sustain Japan’s heritage and contemporary artistry. The announcement took place at the UAE Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka, in the presence of H.E. Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim, Ambassador of the UAE to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion, along with the project’s visionary architects and curators, including Kengo Kuma, Paul Tange, Fumio Nanjo, and Toshio Shimizu.

Conceived as part of the UAE’s enduring commitment to cultural diplomacy, creativity, and international collaboration, the JCC is presented as the UAE’s parting gift to Japan, symbolizing friendship, respect, and shared vision for sustainable cultural development. Reflecting the UAE’s legacy of visionary leadership—from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—the project embodies a commitment to fostering creativity, understanding, and cultural continuity worldwide.

H.E. Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim stated, “The Japan Culture Center reflects the shared vision of the UAE and Japan to celebrate heritage and foster dialogue between nations. It will be a living platform where traditions are honored, sustained, and reimagined for generations.”

The JCC is the centerpiece of Al Ahli Holding Group’s Multiverse Project, a dynamic ecosystem merging art, design, education, and sustainability. The district includes three defining components:

• The Artist Building: Designed by Paul Tange, this architectural marvel will house over 1,000 artist residences, fostering collaboration and innovation in a vertical creative hub.

• The Curatorial Program: Led by Fumio Nanjo and Toshio Shimizu, this dual framework blends modern and traditional Japanese artistry, preserving craftsmanship while nurturing new creative expressions.

• The Japan Culture Center (JCC): Crafted by Kengo Kuma, the JCC redefines cultural centers with sustainable design, natural materials, and a village-like complex where making, learning, and living converge.

Together, these elements reflect the UAE’s belief that true progress lies in cooperation and cultural preservation, viewing creativity as a universal service to humanity.

At its core, the JCC is both a cultural sanctuary and economic enabler, supporting Japan’s media companies, master artisans, creators, and small enterprises. The center will offer vocational training, residencies, creative collaborations, and cross-border partnerships across the Middle East, Africa, and West Asia. Programming spans traditional tea ceremonies, budō, calligraphy, manga, and anime, as well as modern design, media arts, robotics, and fashion—inviting visitors to experience culture as a living dialogue rather than passive observation.

Mohammed Khammas, Group CEO of Al Ahli Holding Group, commented, “The Japan Culture Center is a living bridge between our nations, where structures may fade but culture, artistry, and friendship endure across generations. Collaborating with visionaries like Kengo Kuma and Paul Tange ensures that creativity is both human and lasting.”

Located within the Multiverse Project, the JCC will house galleries, workshops, performance spaces, gardens, dining, and artist residencies, establishing the world’s largest platform for Japanese culture outside Japan.

Unveiled on the closing day of Expo 2025 Osaka, the Japan Culture Center stands as a tribute to enduring friendship, mutual respect, and cultural diplomacy, highlighting the UAE’s commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and global cooperation.