Wish for the Tanabata Starry Sky: Enthusiasm and Friendship at Japan Expo Paris 2016

Do your best to promote traditional Japanese culture and the appeal of the region

The 17th Japan Expo Paris was held in Nord Villepinte, France from 7/7 (Thu) to 10 (Sun). Japan Promotion is now in its 6th yearTraditional Culture Pavilion “WABI-SABI”It produced, exhibited and sold arts and crafts, and introduced the efforts of local governments.
The theme for the 2016 event is “Hope.” The pavilion decorations were compared to the Tanabata Festival in Japan, and prayers for world peace and happiness were included.
The number of visitors is expected to be over 250,000, which is higher than last year. As the world's largest trade fair for people who love Japanese culture, this year was an overwhelming success both in terms of attracting visitors and scale.

“SAKURA STAGE” produces a stage for traditional performing arts

Japan Promotion comprehensively produces traditional performing arts shows on the “SAKURA Stage,” which is one of the main stages of the Japan Expo.
Performances such as kabuki, gagaku, Awa dance, enka, and Kyoto dance were performed every day, and an enthusiastic stage unfolded where the performers and audience were united.
The large stage, which seats 830 spectators, is always full. Traditional Japanese performing arts captivated the world, and loud cheers and applause echoed.
The local mascot character show was also very popular, including the SAKURA stage and all performances. Gorgeous members, such as “Mergiu-kun and Melmomo-chan” from Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture, “Kumamon”, “Shinjo-kun” from Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture, “Nishiko-kun (unofficial)” from Kokubunji City, Tokyo, and “Kirarin” from Namerikawa City, Toyama Prefecture performed with the dance entertainer unit “Explosion,” which made the venue very excited.

Supporting Kumamoto earthquake charity activities

A “Kumamoto charity booth” was opened in the traditional culture pavilion “WABI-SABI”.
“Kumamon,” which is also very popular in France, called for reconstruction support for the Kumamoto earthquake.
They appealed to Kumamoto's current status and prospects through panel displays introducing scenic spots in Kumamoto and sales of charity badges.
An overflowing message of support for Kumamoto was tied to bamboo on the Tanabata tanzaku set up in the pavilion, and it was filled with the passionate friendship of the French people.

media coverage

It was picked up by a lot of media. Please click to see it.

＞＞Sankei Shimbun

＞＞Nihon Keizai Shimbun

＞＞Chunichi Shimbun

＞＞Kochi Shimbun

＞＞Jomo Shimbun

＞＞Kyodo News

In addition, there are many newspapers such as the Shinano Mainichi Newspaper and Agence France-Presse (AFP) on the internet.
It was also reported on NHK, Fuji TV, and Kansai TV news footage!

Japan Expo 2016
‍Period: 2016/7/7 (Thu) -10 (Sun)
Venue: Paris, Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center

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