\Japan Expo/ A gorgeous thank-you party report with a lineup of stage performers!

The illuminations shine in the cold air in December. People with a glamorous aura and many foreigners gathered at a party held at an underground restaurant in Minato Ward, Tokyo. That should be it, tonightJapan ExpoIt was a thank-you party by the organizer, and the performers who usually liven up the venue on stage gathered as guests. Our corporation will also share the state of this special night that we were invited as important partners!

The reason why only stage performers and people involved gathered

Along with the opening at 18:00, people with invitations with QR codes came in one after another. What was distributed at the same time as bright greetings such as “Nice to meet you” and “Bonsoir (good evening)” is a pin badge with “Road to Japan Expo 25” written on it. I can feel the enthusiasm of the organizers as early as next year, which will be our 25th anniversary!

In a large space with sparkling chandeliers, the band “AKARA,” which usually performs strong rock on stage, performs slow songs. While saying “until the venue warms up,” they performed luxuriously as live BGM.

The thoughts of the Japan Expo organizers

Japan Expo Paris was held in 2024 for the 23rd time, but parties like this one aren't always held. We spoke with Jean-François Dufour, one of the founders of the event.
“The events have been repeated so many times, but it's quite difficult to meet all the stage performers. I can't even say words of gratitude, so I set up an opportunity like this one. There is a wide variety of performances and performances by Japanese people, and the responses from customers who come to the venue are also great. I'm happy with its popularity.
I was also surprised by the pavilion “WABI SABI”. It's very beautiful and contains the essence of Japan. If you listen to the story about the work, you can see that it is a very simple material. The skill of creating a world with imagination rather than spending money is amazing.”

What kind of developments will the Japan Expo take place in the future?
“There are 250,000 Japanese fans who are happy with the same things as before. However, we must improve quality while protecting those fans and exhibition booths. The balance between whether incorporating something new will increase the number of fans or vice versa is difficult. Games, martial arts and culture. It's a problem that all the exhibitors, customers, and everyone get too busy (laughs). Nevertheless, we will take on the challenge. Please look forward to the upcoming Japan Expo.”

[Click here for details on the pavilion “WABI SABI”]
▶ A new sales record has been set! JAPAN EXPO Paris 2024 bulletin

The connection between Japan Expo and “WABI SABI”

“WABI SABI” is the only official Japanese traditional culture pavilion at Japan Expo Paris, and is produced by our corporation. At the same event in 2024, over 100 artists will exhibit booths in a 1,500-square-meter space. WABI SABI alone attracted a total of 11,300 people over 4 days.
There are multiple stages, large and small, in the large venue of the event, and the appearance of popular voice actors and musicians is one of the highlights. Our corporation is also responsible for assigning some performers.
Looking around the thank-you party venue... there were also performers with close ties to our corporation. Using this opportunity, we asked a total of 5 groups of performers about their impressions of the Japan Expo!

Thoughts of stage performers I know for the first time　

【Hisano Ai/Singer] Official website:AI HISANOInstagram:@aia69Participating in the Japan Expo was uneasy at first. But when I went there, they commented on SNS and gave me enthusiastic messages, and the number of followers increased. There are also people who say “I've been following you since before” or “I've been waiting,” and now there are responses even when attending other events, and I think that was an effect of attending the Japan Expo. I was happy that customers said, “Please come out next year too.”

Message to everyone in France: Next time I want them to see myself upgraded and leveled up!

【Waccha/Sound Instructor, Japanese-style voice percussionist] Official website:Kyodoshi Wacha -Waccha-Official WebsiteInstagram:@waccha_samurai .beatThis means that they performed 9 times in 2024. The reason I went overseas was the Japan Expo. At first, it was a team, but they went solo halfway through, and the stage grew bigger every time we went. At the same time, customer awareness also became stronger, and “even solo customers gather that much!” I thought so. I have a stronger fondness for it than any other event. I was injured a while ago, and I treated it in time for the Japan Expo (laughs). We are working hard every day to establish a “waccha.”

Message to everyone in France: Please come and see works you've never seen before. And please experience it!

【Touya Ichi/Samurai/Ninja Performance Team] Official website:ICHIMILEInstagram:@katanayaichiWe will be touring 4 to 5 European countries over 30 to 40 days. The Japan Expo is an event where many people like “samurai content,” and customers are more discerning than anywhere else. The reaction is severe. That's why I'm happy when I get enthusiastic applause and heartfelt applause. There are also repeat customers among our customers. The level of the other artists performing at the event is also high, so it's a nice stimulus.

Message to everyone in France: We will continue to perform in such a way that you can see the differences in emotions and even the smallest expressions!

【Kimono Dance Project/Kimono x Dance Group] Official website:KIMONO × DANCE PROJECTInstagram:@kimono_dance_projectIt's been 4 years since the team formed, and the first time they performed overseas was at the 2024 Japan Expo. It was unusually exciting, and I was surprised that there are people who are so passionate about Japanese culture. It's also impressive that the number of stories about overseas appearances has increased since then. Next time, I'm thinking of incorporating different members and different genres while making use of anime songs and Japanese culture, so I think it will be a different stage again.

My message to everyone in France: I'm looking forward to delivering a high quality performance to everyone.

【Takarafune/NEO Awa Dance Group] Official website:TakarafuneInstagram:@takarabune_officialThe Japan Expo is a special place for us at Takarasen. When I first decided to go out into the world, I faced the Paris stage with my legs shaking while not knowing either the right or the left. I still can't forget the enthusiasm of the audience at that time. It was precisely because of that moment that we were able to continue our activities.

Message to everyone in France: We look forward to seeing you all again at the Japan Expo!

Steps towards the 25th anniversary of the Japan Expo

Chatting continued at the venue after that, and it seems that the conversation between the performers was also exciting.
Along the way, a video showing the progress of the Japan Expo so far was shown on the screen with the white wall of the restaurant. People all over the venue are glued to it. The person on the screen and the person watching it are the same person. Watching that scene from the side is such a strange feeling. It was time for everyone to smile. Japan Expo Paris will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, of course next year. I'm looking forward to the future.

[See the Japan Expo Paris here too]
(video)https://www.youtube.com/@wabisabixjapanexpo7930

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