More than 300 events in the fields of culture, economy and science are planned nationwide to celebrate the ``Germany in Japan 2005/2006'' project, which officially starts in April.

The events-with ``Visions of the Divine in the Sanctuary of Art-Masterpieces of the Museum Island, Berlin'' as their highlight (see related stories on this page and Page 18)-seek to deepen the trust and friendship between Germany and this country by introducing modern German life and the diversity of Germany to the people of Japan.

Below follow details of other major events.

Artistic masterpieces

``Mirror to the World,'' an exhibition by the Dresden State Art Collections (consisting of Dresden's 12 national museums), brings to Japan such world-renowned masterpieces as ``Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window'' (1657) by Johannes Vermeer and ``Portrait of a Lady in White'' (1553) by Titian, as well as sculptures and other treasures from the museums' vast collections.

March 8 through May 22 at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art in Kobe; June 28 through Sept. 19 at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo.

Environment conference

Titled ``Environment, our future: innovative projects and sustainable action,'' this conference for academics, policy-makers, businesspeople and journalists examines changes surrounding environmental policy-making and compares the efforts of Japan and Germany in this field.

April 9 and 10 in Tokyo.

Movie festival

Part 1, ``Horizonte Special'' (June 4 through 12), presents 20 well-received German movies released since 2001. Though Caroline Link's ``Nowhere in Africa'' (2002) and Wolfgang Becker's ``Good Bye, Lenin!'' (2003) have recently won prizes at movie festivals worldwide, this festival focuses more on films not yet released in Japan to present an overview of German cinema in the new century. The event will be a special version of the ``Horizonte'' film festival, which has been held since 2002 by the Goethe-Institut Tokyo (German culture center). ``Die Spielwutigen'' (Addicted to Acting, 2003), a documentary by Andres Veiel and a popular entry at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival, is among the films to be screened.

Part 2 (Sept. 10 through 19) offers a look back at the golden era of German silent movies. F.W. Murnau's ``Nosferatu'' (1922) and Robert Wiene's ``The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' (1920) are among the 15 films by master directors from the silent era to be shown. All movies will be screened accompanied by live music.

At Yurakucho Asahi Hall in Tokyo.

Lifestyle display

``German Living,'' a special exhibit within the Interior Lifestyle Messe, introduces visitors to modern life in Germany, characterized by simple interior designs and functional consumer goods.

June 8 through 10 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Scientific progress explained

The ``Science Tunnel'' exhibition provides visitors with easy-to-understand explanations of recent advances in scientific and technological research.

September through November at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo.

Modern photography show

``Regarding Truth'' introduces works by leading German photographers of today, such as Andreas Gursky.

Oct. 25 through Dec. 18 at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Jan. 1 through Feb. 12, 2006, at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; and at other locations until May 2006.

Opera performances

Performers from two of the most prestigious German opera houses are set to visit to Japan.

The Bavarian State Opera will perform Wagner's ``Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg'' (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg) and ``Tannhauser'' in September and October at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and Kanagawa Kenmin Hall.

The Stuttgart Opera will make its first visit to Japan for ``Stuttgart Opera Japan Performance 2006,'' presented by Porsche AG. It will perform a production of Mozart's ``The Magic Flute'' by Peter Konwitschny on Feb. 15, 17 and 18, 2006, at Tokyo's Bunkamura Orchard Hall.

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Call the German Embassy at 03-5791-7700 or visit < www.doitsu-nen.jp >.(IHT/Asahi: January 1,2005)