On February 17, 2018, the Embassy of Japan in the FSM hosted its 6th annual Japanese Festival at the Our Lady of Mercy Gymnasium, which was constructed by the Embassy of Japan under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project. This year’s festival was a special one as the Embassy begins to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the FSM. A various number of performances by local students and volunteers made the event a lively one.
As a part of cultural promotion and the celebration of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a “Wadaiko” or “Japanese Drum” club from Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School in Sendai, Japan came as the main and special guests. After their performance, the students opened a booth to experience how to play the Wadaiko for the people.
TMC “Taiyo Micronesia Corporation”- a joint company between National Fisheries Corporation and a Japanese company Taiyo A&F which recently opened a Katsuobushi (Bonito) and Feed Meal Plant in February of this year- also opened a special booth in which the audience were able to try the tuna jerkies and voted on their favorite.
Before officially closing the 2018 Japanese Festival, Ambassador Horie and Madame, along with embassy staff and audience danced the Tokyo Ondo, a common closing dance for festivals in Japan. More than 800 people attended this great event.
(Performance)
- Taiso Performance by Pohnpei Catholic High School
- Music Performance by Ohmine Elementary School (Yorokobi no Uta & Tsubasa wo Kudasai)
- Song Performance by Micro-Japan Club (Kitte no Nai Okurimono)
- Booth Introduction
- Dance Performance by Moana Girls (Chiwawa Dance)
- Dance Performance by Pohnpei Catholic School 10th grade (Soran-Bushi)
- Music Performance by Green Wind
- Taiko (Japanese Drum) Performance by Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School
- Tokyo Ondo by Everyone
