Japan Day Held at Milan Expo

Milan, July 11 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 held Japan Day on Saturday, featuring the Asian country's performing arts and foods such as "wagyu" beef, sushi and "tempura" fritters. More than 400 people, mainly from northeastern Japan such as Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, paraded to express thanks for assistance from around the world for those affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Participants were clad in traditional festival costumes of their regions, such as for the Nebuta festival in Aomori Prefecture and the Waraji festival in Fukushima Prefecture. Other events included Japanese drum and "shamisen" banjo performances, as well as a performance by chirographer Shishu. Pop star Kyari Pamyu Pamyu, well-known also overseas as a symbol of Japan's "kawaii" (cute) culture, also showed up. In a speech at the opening ceremony, agriculture ministry Yoshimasa Hayashi said he wants to show the world the strong potential of Japanese food culture, which attaches importance to harmony with nature and always keeps in mind respect for the lives taken to let humans to live. END