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        Consulate-Genaral of Japan will launch Japan - India Friendship year in South India with a live Wadaiko (Japanese drum) concert on 7 and 8 February, at Music Academy, Chennai. The Japan - India Friendship year, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Exchange Agreement between the two countries, was agreed upon at the summit meeting in 2005 between the then Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and was reconfirmed at the recent meeting between Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Manmohan Singh. Based on the agreement, throughout 2007, India celebrates 'the Year of India' in Japan, and Japan holds 'Year of Japan' in Japan.

        Wadaiko will take place on 7 February at the Music Academy in the presence of State Governor Surjit Singh Barnala. A live Taiko concert by Obedo Sukekeroku Taiko, a drum troupe from Japan, will be held on 7 and 8 February in association with Japan Foundation, Indo - Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ABK - AOTS Dosokai Tamilnadu centre. Admission for the concert is free. Obedo Sukekeroku Taiko is the drum-troupe with handsome drummers (including young girls) will produce a multitude of sights and sounds from their instruments to trigger a wide range of emotions, a press release said.