July 3rd, 2014
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Japan Festival 2014
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Japan Festival 2014 was held on Thursday evening of 3rd July, as an attempt to support Block Party and to mark the beginning of Heilala Festival and the long weekend holiday, celebrating the 55th Birthday of His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Japan Festival is an annual event organized by the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with Japanese community and Japan-related associations and companies in Tonga to share and experience Japanese tradition and culture, highlighting friendly relationship between Japan and Tonga, and further strengthening existing bilateral bond by bringing people of the two countries together in one place of joy.
Japan Festival this year included Japanese karaoke, Tongan dance and demonstrations by Japanese Martial arts Associations in Tonga; Kendo Association, Judo Association, Karate, and Sumo with generous support of their respective sensei (teacher). It was our pleasure to have been able to welcome Tonga’s former sumo wrestler, Mr. ‘Alani Falevai, narrating the sumo demonstration.
Japanese Food stalls from Little Tokyo and Sushi Reload restaurants were also made available to sample some of Japanese popular dishes, and passersby at the Festival experienced “Shodo”, Japanese calligraphy and “Tanabata”, making their wishes on bamboo trees.
The Embassy of Japan acknowledges the support from all the participants involved in making Japan Festival successful.