"Italy in Japan 2001" kicked off Monday with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini urging Japanese to learn not only about Italy's art, fashion and food, but also its advanced technology.
Through some 300 events planned over the yearlong cultural festival, Dini said he wants to "introduce a new Italy that surprises the Japanese people," such as Italy's multimedia, space development and other advanced technology.
"This will be the biggest ever cultural event Italy holds in a foreign country," Dini told a news conference Monday morning at the Japan National Press Club.
The event was formally launched later in the day with the opening of Italy's Renaissance exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo's Ueno district.
On the upcoming Group of Eight summit in Genoa, Italy, in July, Dini said Italy wants to continue the previous Okinawa summit's agenda, including conflict prevention, efforts against terrorism and environmental protection.
Dini said it is also important that the G-8 enhance cooperation with other countries in dealing with global problems.
"In that sense, the summit meeting can be more informal," he said.