Pakistan Ambassador Farukh Amil (second from left) shakes hands  with, from left, House of Councillors member Antonio Inoki; President of the Japan-Pakistan Parliamentarians' Friendship League Seishiro Eto; and judoka Shah Hussain, a Tsukuba University student and a member of the Pakistan National Judo Team, during a reception to celebrate the country's National Day at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo on March 23. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Pakistan Ambassador Farukh Amil (second from left) shakes hands with, from left, House of Councillors member Antonio Inoki; President of the Japan-Pakistan Parliamentarians' Friendship League Seishiro Eto; and judoka Shah Hussain, a Tsukuba University student and a member of the Pakistan National Judo Team, during a reception to celebrate the country's National Day at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo on March 23. | YOSHIAKI MIURA


Bicycle racer Yukiya Arashiro (third from left) and freelance announcer Eriko Nakamura (third from right), after being named France 2016 sightseeing goodwill ambassadors, pose with
Bicycle racer Yukiya Arashiro (third from left) and freelance announcer Eriko Nakamura (third from right), after being named France 2016 sightseeing goodwill ambassadors, pose with "France Sightseeing Campaign 2016" partners, from left, Shigeru Fukui, H.I.S. Co.; Frederic Mazenq, director in Japan of Atout France; French Ambassador Thierry Dana; and Stefan Vanovermeir, general manager for Japan, Air France and KLM at a press conference at the ambassador's residence in Tokyo on March 24. | YOSHIAKI MIURA


Namibia Ambassador Sophia-Namupa Nangombe (center) poses with Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps. and San Marino Ambassador Manlio Cadelo (left) and  Minato Ward Mayor Masaaki Takei during a reception to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Namibia's National Day at the Akasaka Regional City Office in Tokyo on March 24. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Namibia Ambassador Sophia-Namupa Nangombe (center) poses with Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps. and San Marino Ambassador Manlio Cadelo (left) and Minato Ward Mayor Masaaki Takei during a reception to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Namibia's National Day at the Akasaka Regional City Office in Tokyo on March 24. | YOSHIAKI MIURA


Indian Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy (left) lights a traditional oil lamp during the opening ceremony of the Sakura Festival 2016, as President of the Japan-India Association Hiroshi Hirabayashi (right) applauds at the embassy in Tokyo on March 25. The sakura festival at the embassy showcases Indian cultural performances, food and handicrafts. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Indian Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy (left) lights a traditional oil lamp during the opening ceremony of the Sakura Festival 2016, as President of the Japan-India Association Hiroshi Hirabayashi (right) applauds at the embassy in Tokyo on March 25. The sakura festival at the embassy showcases Indian cultural performances, food and handicrafts. | YOSHIAKI MIURA


Guest speaker Tunisian Ambassador Karis Darragi speaks on
Guest speaker Tunisian Ambassador Karis Darragi speaks on "The Tunisian Exception" at a meeting of the Japan-Tunisia Friendship Association at the Tunisian embassy in Tokyo on March 25. | YOSHIAKI MIURA