A series of scientific events dedicated to the results of joint archaeological research conducted by Azerbaijani and Japanese scientists was held in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The events included scientific discussions and an exhibition aimed at introducing the public to the scientific significance of Damjili Cave, located in the Gazakh district of Azerbaijan. The events were organized at the invitation of the University of Tokyo and its Museum, with the participation of Ulviyya Safarova, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and a doctoral candidate; Saadat Aliyeva, Director of the “Avey” State Historical-Cultural Reserve under the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture; and Musa Mursaguliyev, Director of the “Keshikchidag” State Historical-Cultural Reserve.

The Azerbaijani delegation familiarized themselves with exhibits from various periods and regions at the University of Tokyo Museum and the JP Tower Intermediatheque (IMT) Museum. During the visit, a scientific seminar was held with the participation of researchers and scientists, where Professor Yoshihiro Nishiaki delivered a comprehensive presentation on the scientific research conducted in the western region of Azerbaijan.

It is worth noting that, based on a memorandum signed in 2015 between the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the University of Tokyo, a joint Japan-Azerbaijan international archaeological expedition was established. The primary goal of the research was to study the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic in the Middle Kura Basin of the South Caucasus region, as well as to gather information about the socio-economic life of Paleolithic and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. The archaeological research conducted between 2016–2019 and 2022 was led by Professor Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Director of the University of Tokyo Museum, on the Japanese side. On the Azerbaijani side, the expedition was co-led by Ph.D. A.A. Zeynalov, Ph.D. M.M. Mansurov, and Ph.D. Y. Mammadov in various years. These excavations have proven that Damjili Cave is a rare multi-layered archaeological site in the South Caucasus and have contributed to resolving a number of scientific issues.