Consulate-General of Japan in New York
在ニューヨーク日本国総領事館

Press Release

Japan Day Web site: http://www.japandaynyc.org

Editorial Contacts:Gorgeous Entertainment
212.398.7145

EXPERIENCE THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF JAPAN DURING JAPAN DAY @ CENTRAL PARK

NEW YORK, May 8, 2007 - June 3rd, 2007 will mark the first-ever Japan Day @ Central Park, a day-long celebration and presentation of the best of contemporary and traditional Japan. Organized by representatives of the Japanese Community with the support of the Consulate General of Japan in New York, Japan Day @ Central Park will begin with the traditional “Shishimai” Lion Dance at 7:45 am, followed by the Japan Run at 8 am on Central Park’s East Drive near 68th Street, and will culminate with live performances on the SummerStage and activities ranging from origami and calligraphy to the latest in video games, digital cameras and robots at Rumsey Playfield from 10 am - 5 pm.

“The Consulate and the Japanese community wanted to extend a thank you to New York,” said Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai. “New York is not only home to America’s largest Japanese community; it has opened its arms to the influence of Japan in the arts, business, technology, fashion and the media. It is our hope that Japan Day @ Central Park will intrigue and delight New Yorkers with a sampling of our culture.”

The Japan Run will launch at 7:45 am with a traditional “Shishimai” Lion Dance (performed by the taiko drum ensemble, Soh Daiko). The Japan Run, a New York Road Runner event, is a four-mile race and is one of many qualifying races for the ING New York City Marathon 2008, with over 3,500 expected participants. For children between 2 and 12 years of age, there will be a Kids Race s starting at 9:30 am . The races will culminate with an award ceremony for top runners, as well as a raffle for all the participants.

The Japan Day Festival at Rumsey Playfield begins at 10:00 am with live performances on SummerStage throughout the day, hosted by NY1 anchor Sandra Endo and featuring jazz pianist Miki Hayama and internationally acclaimed taiko drummer Leonard Eto. Additional entertainment includes a live karaoke competition, traditional dance, and karate and samurai sword demonstrations.

A wide variety of tents will feature Japanese cuisine, traditional arts demonstrations, games and toys, as well as digital cameras, video games and robots. An authentic O-mikoshi (shrine) will also be on display.

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“Central Park is an urban jewel,” said Yoroku Adachi, president & CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. and executive committee chairman of Japan Day @ Central Park. “What better way to have a relaxed and enjoyable cultural exchange than to have people from all ethnicities and backgrounds coming together to enjoy music, fun and food? Rumsey Playfield and SummerStage are going to be alive with the sights and sounds of Japan and I am honored to welcome New Yorkers to be a part of the festivities.”

For more information, please visit the Japan Day @ Central Park Website: http://www.japandaynyc.org. To register for the Japan Run 4-Miler or Kids Races or to find out more information about New York Road Runners or the ING New York City Marathon, please visit NYRR’s Web site at www.nyrr.org.