Northern Ireland celebrates 30 years of Japanese cultural exchange
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The Japan Society in Northern Ireland hosted a matsuri festival at W5 Belfast to commemorate its 30th anniversary, bringing together people interested in Japanese culture.
The event included performances of music, dance, storytelling, drama, and sumo wrestling, offering a family-friendly celebration of Japanese traditions. Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hiroshi Suzuki, attended the festival and highlighted the strong economic partnership between Japan and Northern Ireland, noting several Japanese companies invest in the Belfast area.
Suzuki used his visit as an opportunity to share his travels on social media alongside his Paddington Bear toy, hoping to reach a wider audience and showcase the event. Sean Greer, secretary of the Japan Society, explained the organisation supports both Japanese people living in Northern Ireland and those from Northern Ireland with connections to Japan. Attendees like Nicole Murray and Junko McNeely expressed their enjoyment of the festival and its ability to showcase Japanese heritage.
McNeely, originally from Japan, brought her son Joel, who said the event helped him connect with his mother’s culture while growing up in Northern Ireland. The festival also highlighted the increasing popularity of Japanese food, cherry blossoms, and pop culture in Northern Ireland.
