Iran’s Ambassador Abbas Araqchi gave the opening speech and said, “This ceremony is the least we can do for the great scholars of Persian language and literature.” The ceremony continued with the tribute paid to Tsuneo Kuroyanagi, the Persian Language professor of Tokyo University. Kuroyanagi received Iran’s Afshar Foundation’s commendation and award in 2003 for nearly 60 years of efforts to acquaint the Japanese with Iranian culture and Persian literature in particular.
