Japanese thrill Cameroonians with ‘Nihonsai’

The Japanese Embassy in Cameroon, November 15, organised a concert at Goethe Institute in Yaounde to celebrate Japan Cultural Day, also known as Nihonsai.

Addressing Government officials, parents, children and the public that turned out for the ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to Cameroon, Tsutomu Arai, stated that the objectives of the event were: to show and share Japanese values and culture with Cameroonians and to celebrate Japan’s cultural origin.

Opening the event with a Japanese poem, Ambassador Arai, who is also a Japanese pop music fan, called on Cameroonians to take advantage of what Japan is offering and benefit from its rich cultural heritage.

The Cultural Assistant at the Japanese Embassy, Naomi Ogino, said Nihonsai present Japan’s everyday life.

“I hope Cameroonians will benefit and enjoy this fusion of cultures,” she said.

During the event, different aspects of Japan cultural heritage were showcased. The origami paper folding square, Wrap-and-carry workshop, Japanese calligraphy and J-Pop concert, were all presentations which fascinated children and visitors at the Nihonsai event.

This year’s event also treated visitors to a Japanese Doraemon film and a quiz on Japan which describes the season, fashion and phrases in Japanese. The occasion was crowned with the singing of the "Bluebird", a generic Naruto by Cameroonians.