Japan Day 2014

MAY 11TH, 2014 (SUN)

JAPAN DAY FESTIVAL

9:30AM – 4:00PM
Central Park’s Bandshell Area

RUN

4-mile Run 8:00AM,
Kids Race 9:30AM
Starting Point: Central Park East Drive 68th Street

PRESIDENT

Koichi Noda
Managing Director, CEO Americas Division Sumitomo Mistui Banking Corporation

SPECIAL PROJECT

“Fortune Cookie In Love” New York Ver.

As this year’s special project, Japan Day @ Central Park created a New York version of the hit Japanese music video “Fortune Cookie in Love” by AKB48, a popular Japanese girls’ group. Since the song came out last August in Japan, it has sparked a national craze, with people filming their own versions of the song and posting them to YouTube. Japanese companies, towns, and cities have made their own videos for this song. The song’s popularity has spread worldwide, with fans in England, Australia, and Singapore filming their own covers.

Our version – “Fortune Cookie in Love” NY Version partakes of a joyous, global song and dance celebration, while also happily serving the missions of Japan Day: facilitating stronger grassroots connections within the local Japanese community and introducing New Yorkers to the wonder and diversity of Japanese culture.

We shot this video at various NYC landmarks, with the help of volunteers who wanted to be part of the project. We also asked many companies and organizations to film their own clips, and we are delighted they all submitted lively footage. Moreover, thousands of New Yorkers joined us on the day of the event (May 11th, 2014) to dance together and show true genki spirit!

Our special guests Jero, Senri Oe and Sonim made special appearances in the video as well! Also, check out the special scene incorporating a giant LED screen, “Toshiba Vision,” at Times Square!

Art contest

Winner
MICHIKO NOZU

Honorable Mention
KIE KATO

Amon Award
MATTHEW RUEGER

Honorable Mention
AARON PORTER

Honorable Mention
MICHELLE DELECKI

Honorable Mention
RACHEL MARIKO SANDLER

Honorable Mention
LEAH HARPER

Honorable Mention
LAURA SORIA

GUEST JUROR: Amon Miyamoto

This year, Director Amon Miyamoto, who is widely known in Japan and worldwide, is joined Japan Day Art Contest as our special guest juror. A special “Amon Miyamoto Award” was given to one of the entries.

“Japan has now been chosen to host the Olympic Games in 2020, which means that Japan will be even more deeply involved with the rest of the world. I am looking forward to seeing cool artwork that gives us a sense of a hopeful future, and that conveys a sense of contemporary Japan, while reflecting the influence of New York, which is such a sacred ground of arts!”

STAGE PROGRAM

HOST: SANDRA ENDO

ACT 1

  • Japanese Taiko Drumming by Soh Daiko

  • Tsugaru Shamisen by Niigata Takahashi Chikuzan Ensemble

  • Karate by International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan

  • Jazz by Senri Oe

ACT 2

  • Fusion Music & Dance KAI + Fear. Shunkashuto

  • Fashion Show by Shumpei Okamoto

  • Japanese Taiko Drumming & HIp Hop by COBU

  • Vocal Performance by Sonim

ACT 3

  • Japanese Taiko Drumming by Taiko Masala

  • Street Dance by Numbers

  • Enka by Jero

  • Bonodori “NY Ondo” by Jero & The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York

  • Fortune Cookie  in Love @ Central Park

ACTIVITY TENTS

  • Calligraphy (Japanese American Association Of New York, Inc.)

  • News Report With DOMO (NHK Cosmomedia  America Inc.)

  • Hello Kitty (Sanrio Co., Ltd.)

  • Kabuki Face Painting (Northeast Council Of Teachers Of Japanese)

  • Language (Hills Learning)

  • Super Conducting Maglev Train (Central Japan Railway Company)

  • Origami (Origami Therapy Association (OTA))

  • Yo-Yo-Fishing (JETAA NY &  Japan Society)

  • Try On Yukata (NY de Volunteer)

FOOD TENTS

  • Gyoza (Ajinomoto North America,Inc.)

  • Miso Soup (Marukome USA., Inc.)

  • Okonomiyaki (Otafuku Foods, Inc.)

  • Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen (Sun Noodle)

  • Snacks 1 (Meiji America Inc.)

  • Snacks 2 (Table For Two USA)

  • Tea (Itoen (North America) Inc.)