“Let’s make the next 50 years together.”

Under this slogan, the Korea Japan Festival in Tokyo started on Sept. 24 at Hibiya Park in Chiyoda, Tokyo, consolidating the aim of the two countries to map the next 50 years together, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.

The two-day festival was full of entertainment, including stage performances that featured Korean hip-hop, break dancing and modern dance. Choirs from Kyung Hee University and Sophia University collaborated to sing with one unified voice.

When music played on traditional Korean instruments mixed with melodies from traditional Japanese instruments, the audience of more than 3,000 started to sway back and forth to the harmonious rhythms.





Pororo, a character from the famous “Pororo, the Little Penguin” cartoon series, which has grown in popularity in Japan, too, appeared on stage alongside Kumamon, the mascot for Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan. The pair showed off their cute moves, bringing laughter to the audience.

One booth after another was set up to welcome visitors to a variety of events for hands-on experiences, such as sampling some Korean cuisine, trying on traditional Hanbok garb and making handicrafts with traditional Hanji (한지) mulberry paper.



Attending the Tokyo festival were guests from the Japanese government, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (福田康夫), Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi (岸信夫) and President of the Korea-Japan Economic Association Sasaki Mikio (佐佐木幹夫).

“This festival will help to deepen our understanding of each other, and our friendship as well,” said the vice minister of foreign affairs.

The Korea Japan Festival started in Seoul in 2005 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties. The festival has also been held in Tokyo since 2009, marking its eighth run this year.

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Yonhap News, Korean Cultural Centre in Japan
jiae5853@korea.kr