Facility is a landmark of cultural sustainability and friendship between nations
It was announced at the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, that the Japan Culture Center (JCC) will be developed in the United Arab Emirates as a landmark destination celebrating and sustaining Japan’s cultural heritage and contemporary artistry.
Conceived by Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG) in line with the UAE’s philosophy of cooperation and cultural diplomacy, the initiative exemplifies the nation’s enduring belief in contributing for the betterment of mankind.
Unveiled on the closing day of Expo 2025 Osaka, the Japan Culture Center is presented as the UAE’s parting gift to Japan, a gesture of friendship, respect, and shared purpose that will continue to inspire collaboration and creativity long after the Expo concludes.
Announcement
The announcement was led by HE Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim, Ambassador of the UAE to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, in the presence of the project’s key creative figures, Kengo Kuma, Paul Tange, Fumio Nanjo, and Toshio Shimizu, along with Ali Alyammahi and Noora Alyammahi from Al Ahli Holding Group.
“The Japan Culture Centre will serve as a living platform for cultural and economic exchange, ensuring that traditions are not only honored, but sustained and reimagined for generations to come,” explained HE Al Fahim.
The Japan Culture Centre forms the centerpiece of the Multiverse Project being developed by Al Ahli Holding Group, a multifaceted ecosystem celebrating the intersection of art, design, education, and sustainability.
The district comprises three defining elements:
- The Artist Building, designed by Paul Tange of Tange & Associates, this architectural first-of-its-kind will house over one thousand artist residences, creating a vertical creative hive where collaboration and exchange shape a living canvas of innovation.
- The Curatorial Program, envisioned by Fumio Nanjo and Toshio Shimizu, this dual curatorial framework bridges the modern and traditional faces of Japan, curating a balance between evolving creativity and enduring craftsmanship.
- The Japan Culture Center (JCC), designed by Kengo Kuma, one of the world’s most revered architects, the JCC redefines what a cultural center can be. Through his signature use of natural materials, spatial harmony, and sustainable design, Kuma-san has envisioned a village-like complex where making, learning, and living are interconnected, a space where culture becomes an experience rather than an exhibition.
“I have always been fascinated by the beauty and depth of Japanese culture — from its timeless traditions to its bold modern creativity,” said Mohammed Khammas, Group CEO of Al Ahli Holding Group.
