An area of Tokyo in Japan is to celebrate Scotland and its culture and people this November.
Toshima Ward, described as "one of Tokyo's most diverse cultural hotspots" is to host a Scotland Day and offer venues to Scottish artists.
The Mayor of Toshima Ward, Mr Yukio Takano, confirmed to Fiona Hyslop, culture secretary, that the ‘special ward’, or municipality of Tokyo, will host a second Scotland Day this year.
It will follow last year's event, which was inaugurated by the Japan Scotland Association.
The 2017 event, the Scottish Government said, is to feature visual arts and other cultural performances, displays promoting Scottish products and Scotland as a tourism destination and place to study, as well as discussions about Scotland and Japan’s shared history.
Ms Hyslop, whose role also includes external affairs, said: "I’m delighted Toshima Ward will build on the success of the first Scotland Day with another celebration this year, and welcome the Mayor’s generous offer of assistance for our artists and performers to bring their work to Tokyo.
"Our cultural and artistic legacy clearly proceeds us.
"We’re continuing to develop strong cultural links with Japan and this year the Edinburgh Festivals will welcome their Japanese counterparts to develop future collaborations, while our galleries are working together to display the best of our visual arts."
She added: "I visited Toshima earlier this week and it is a buzzing and vibrant location from which to showcase our world-class artists and performers. This is a well-timed boost for us as we promote our expertise on holding world-renowned events and festivals in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020."
Ms Hyslop was joined by Festivals Edinburgh director, Julia Amour at a media briefing promoting Scotland’s festivals, Scotland as a tourism destination, and Scotland’s Place in Europe.
Festivals Edinburgh is the umbrella body encompassing all the Edinburgh festivals.
Ms Amour said: "As the Edinburgh Festivals celebrate 70 years of connecting the world in 2017, it’s fantastic to be here in Tokyo alongside the Cabinet Secretary to develop the creative exchanges that are so vital to our global outlook, and to ensure that our world-leading Festival City serves to represent Scotland at its most confident, open and creative.”
This year the National Galleries of Scotland will tour a show, Turner and the Poetics of Landscape, throughout Japan in 2017/18.
Japanese artist Nelo Akamatsu will be the Sonica Festival’s Glasgow artist-in-residence for four weeks in October.
Scottish arts organisations or performers interested in bringing their work to Toshima Ward should contact the Tokyo Scottish Development International office, a statement from the Government said.
Ms Hyslop is in Japan until February 17 and includes visits to both Tokyo and Nagasaki.
The Cabinet Secretary’s programme of engagements runs from 13 to 17 February in both Tokyo and Nagasaki.
On Monday night, Ms Hyslop held a Business Reception at the British Embassy to promote Scotland as a location for Japanese investment.
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