The Japanese Ambassador to Iran, Tamaki Tsukada, concluded his diplomatic mission in Tehran by bidding farewell to the Iranian people through a musical performance. He performed pieces from the musical heritage of the renowned Japanese animator and film director Hayao Miyazaki using a flute.
The farewell performance took place at the traditional Grand Heritage Rashidieh Hotel in Tehran and was announced by the Japanese Embassy in Iran on Thursday, October 1st. Tsukada, who is an amateur flutist, performed alongside the Iranian Eastgha Orchestra, interpreting compositions related to Miyazaki's films.
Miyazaki, one of the most internationally recognized Japanese animators and filmmakers, is known for works such as 'My Neighbor Totoro,' 'Spirited Away,' and 'Howl's Moving Castle.' The performance occurred against the backdrop of Tsukada's preparations to leave Iran after serving as Japan's ambassador since December 2023.
He had previously officially announced the completion of his mission during a farewell meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghi in Tehran on September 8th. Music played a significant role in Tsukada's cultural engagement in Iran.
In August, as Iran and Japan approached the centenary of their diplomatic relations, he performed as a solo flutist with the Eastgha Orchestra to play a familiar theme from the Japanese TV series 'Oshin.' This project also included melodies from 'Hanako and Ann' and 'From the North Country,' presenting recognizable elements of Japanese television music to the Iranian audience. The 'Oshin' theme particularly evoked memories of the long-standing shared cultural memory between the two countries, as the series was broadcast in over 60 countries and became especially popular in Iran.
The ambassador's musical activities extended beyond presenting Japanese works. During his tenure, he participated in several cultural and artistic events in Iran, including an event at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in December 2025 dedicated to the release of two previously unpublished albums from the late Iranian vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian's last live concert. At this event, he also met with Shajarian's children, Homayoun and Afsaneh.
Tsukada's term coincided with preparations for the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iran and Japan. Both countries established diplomatic ties in 1926, and cultural exchange remained an important component of their bilateral relations.
In his official address upon assuming office, Tsukada emphasized the long history of cultural exchange between Iran and Japan, noting that the two civilizations were connected by the ancient Silk Road. He also highlighted cultural interaction as a vital element of bilateral relations.
Thus, the ambassador's farewell performance combined several aspects of his time in Iran—music, cultural exchange, and direct interaction with the Iranian public, with the flute serving as an unusual yet familiar parting message at the end of his diplomatic mission.