The 12th “Family Event for Parents and Children” was held on Saturday, May 25 at the Nippon Club Tower. The event started at 1:00 p.m., with refreshments and entertainment booths.

The performances began at 2:00 p.m. on the second floor stage. The emcee was Ms. Saori Goda, as she was last year. The audience enjoyed watching, clapping, and dancing, and there were also workshops where children could actually experience the performance, and their laughter echoed through the hall.

<Performances>
● Samantha Sing Puppet Show “The Lion & The Mouse
● Yurika Mihara “Let’s enjoy classical music together! Move your body and crap your hand with piano sounds”
● Shihan Katsuhito Gorai “Kyokushin Karate Kids”
● Biwanko Group ”Children’s taiko performance and mini-workshop”
● Kevin Suzuki ”Mini workshop of Hanagasa dance with lion dance performance and hand clapping”

<Event Booths>
● Akira Suzuki “Rolled sushi experience and tasting”
● Candy5 ”Amezaiku (Candy Sculptures)”
● Amnet (sponsorship) “Water Yo-Yo Scooping”
● Rie Nishimura ”Face Painting”
● Yoko Essel & Nao Yamada ”Origami Art”
● Marina Kikkawa ”Portrait Art”
● Sei Higuchi & Nina Harano “Balloon Art”
● Sosen Onishi “Chanoyu Tea Ceremony at the table”
● Masami Hirano Madsen “Kid’s Craft Work”
● Ava Madsen “Tatoo Parlor”

View the Event Program

■  Here are some comments from the participants.
“The event was very satisfying for both adults and children alike, as there was plenty of Japan-inspired content.”
“It was great to be able to do things we don’t usually get to do, like try hand-rolling and candy crafting.”
“The event went by so fast that even children were able to have their faces and hands painted and see various performances on the main stage, which was fun for both adults and children. And the refreshments and goody bags were much appreciated.”
“My daughter’s friend who is American also enjoyed the Japanese culture. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.”
“I was very satisfied with the event for both adults and children and the Japanese food.”

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of our member companies who sponsored this event, as well as to all of the organizations and individuals who cooperated with us in organizing this event. We would also like to thank all those who participated, performed, and helped in this event. We look forward to seeing you again at next year’s family event!

　SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

<Gold Sponsors>
Brother International Corporation
KPMG LLP
NTT Data

<Silver Sponsors>
Nomura Research Institute America, Inc.
SCSK USA Inc.
Sojitz Corporation of America

<Bronze Sponsors>
Mitsui ＆ Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Toray Industries (America), Inc.

<Cooperating Organizations & Individuals>
All Nippon Airways Co.
Amnet New York Inc.
ITO EN (North America) INC.
Robert Essel Photography