The Government of Japan has been holding various events and festivals all over the world since December 2011 as part of JAPAN NEXT campaign, which will take place through March. The campaign is designed to express Japan’s gratitude to the world for its support for the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 2011 (3/11) and showcase Japan’s recovery through introduction of Japan’s proud culture and technology which are often referred to as ’Cool Japan.’
In the UK, two events will be held as part of JAPAN NEXT campaign from 14 to 18 March 2012 in London, showing Japan’s gratitude and introducing the appeal of Japanese food. Events will have a theme of ‘ARIGATO’, the Japanese expression for ‘thank you’.
From 14 to 18 March will be “Tasting JAPAN WEEK” to offer a Tasting Japan experience at Westfield Stratford City, with Japanese food and Japanese alcohol. The IBA World Cocktail Champion Takafumi Yamada will be on hand to create delicious concoctions, including ‘Great Sunrise’ for which he won the World Cocktail of the Year with hope for Japan’s recovery from 3/11 and a specially created cocktail ‘ARIGATO’ for ‘thanking’ the world for its support following last March. Arranged Japanese food will also be on offer for tasting, to show how easily Japanese food can be cooked at home and introduce the sensitivity of taste and the art of cuisine.
As part of the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival on Sunday 18 March, Japanese performers including Maikos, Geisha and Japanese traditional instrument performers, as well as Japanese nationals living in the UK from Wakayanagi school of Japanese dancing dressed in traditional Kimonos will take part in the ARIGATO parade.
There will also be an ARIGATO stall at the Trafalgar Square festival displaying panels and videos to thank the world for its support to Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami, and to introduce the appeal of Japanese food, products and traditional culture.
Tasting JAPAN WEEK (Gallery North, Westfield Stratford City) will take place 14-18 March, at the following times:
- 14-17 March: 11.00 to 19.00
- 18 March: 12.00 to 18.00
The central London ARIGATO Parade on 18 March 2012 starts at noon and will last for two hours, while the ARIGATO stall in Trafalgar Square will be open noon-8pm.
