An Arabic version of "Hadashi no Gen" ("Barefoot Gen"), the noted manga series about the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, has recently been published in Egypt, the Japan Foundation said.

The first of the 10 volumes of the series, about a boy who survived the bombing, was published in January. Arabic is the 22nd language the series has been translated into.

The translator, Maher El-Sherbini, a professor in the department of Japanese and Japanese literature at Cairo University, said at a signing event Monday that he wants people in Arab countries to learn not only about economic development but also peace from Japan.

He said pictures can be more expressive than text and that he hopes eventually to translate all 10 volumes of the series.

He completed his master's and doctorate's degrees at Hiroshima University.