Now, Japan Says Thank You to London

The Government of Japan is hosting various events and festivals all over the world during December 2011 through March 2012 as part of ‘JAPAN NEXT’ campaign.

This campaign is designed to express Japan’s gratitude to the world for its support for the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11th 2011 and showcase Japan’s recovery through the introduction of Japan’s culture and technology which are referred to as ‘Cool Japan.’

For the UK, two events are being held as part of ‘JAPAN NEXT’ campaign from the 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 word for thank you.

Earlier, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), along with Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), expressed special appreciation for all the support from the American people, which brought 566,000 visitors from the US to Japan within less than one year. (Read: Urgent Message: Thank You from Japan)

From 14 to 18 March there will be “Tasting JAPAN WEEK” to offer a Tasting Japan experience at Westfield Stratford with Japanese food and Japanese alcohol.

As part of the Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Sunday 18 March Japanese performers including Maiko, 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 parade through central London.

They will create an ARIGATO parade and there will be an ARIGATO stall at the festival in Trafalgar Square displaying panels and playing the video to thank the world for its support on Japan, which suffered the devastating earthquake and tsunami.