Iran-Japan civic exchanges held in Tehran

An event is underway in Iran aimed at promoting ties with Japan. It comes at a time of growing uncertainty between Iran, the United States and European countries over Iran''s nuclear development, Japan''s NHK reported. The event opened in the Iranian capital of Tehran. In the venue, visitors can experience a traditional tea ceremony while seated on a matted floor. A group of Iranians also performed swordsmanship and other Japanese martial arts. Photographs of areas in northeastern Japan that were devastated in last March''s disaster are also on display. Visitors are paying a lot of attention to the exhibition as Iran is also a quake-prone country. The two countries have enjoyed economic and cultural relations for decades. But Japan is in a difficult position now that the United States and the European countries have stepped up their economic sanctions against Iran. Some Japanese firms operating in Iran have already withdrawn from the country.