Peruvian Ambassador Elard Escala, who was appointed in April, said Tuesday cultural exchanges will be key to deepening his nation's ties with Japan.

Next year marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Lima and Tokyo, and the Peruvian Embassy hopes to organize a number of cultural activities, including art exhibitions and seminars, Escala said in a courtesy call to The Japan Times.

"Cultural exchange is a must to strengthen the relationship we have here," Escala said.

Peru was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with Japan. The two nations also signed a free-trade agreement in March.

Escala meanwhile noted, "For more than 50 years, Japanese investigation teams have been involved in archaeological research in Peru," playing a major role.

Especially active since 2006, a Yamagata University research team headed by professor Masato Sakai has discovered more than 100 geoglyphs, or motifs, in the Nazca Lines, the ancient ground markings designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The university opened a research center at the site in September.