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Japan Festival kicks off International Education Week

By Daing S. Nasir
Western Herald

In conjunction with International Education Week, the Japan Club at Western Michigan University will be hosting Japan Festival at the Wesley Foundation on campus  Nov. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Japan Festival will be highlighting the best of Japanese Culture with an assortment of booths set up for the event. There will be food, interactive Japanese calligraphy, games and an opportunity to win prizes.

“Japan Festival is done by every single member of Japan Club. No one is left out. Everyone is working very hard to ensure that the event is a success,” said Japan Club President Yuuya Masada.

The festival will include booths regarding studying abroad in Japan through WMU and our Japanese sister schools. Contacts for making friends in Japan will be available at the booth together along with information on scholarships available for study abroad.

Japan Club Internal Vice President Martin Bragalone traveled to Kyoto, Japan. From his experience he believes that, along with learning the language, students need to concern themselves with Japanese polite expressions. As opposed to the culture in the West, Japanese are a very much high-context culture.

“You will understand and appreciate the culture so much more if you understand what the language entails,” Bragalone said.

The tourism booth for the festival will also give a special presentation on Japanese culture and places of interest via a slide show and a talk on favorite tourist spots in Japan from the cosmopolitan Tokyo to the majestic shrines around the country.

Apart form an array of cultural presentations, performances and games for attendees, Japan Club will also be serving free food. The menu includes Okonomiyaki, a Japanese style pancake made with cabbage, flour and bacon served with mayonnaise and a Japanese sauce; Yakisoba, a Japanese style fried noodles served with vegetables and chicken; Miso Soup, Japanese style soup with essence of fish and onions sometimes served with tofu; a vegetarian option; and Japanese Tea.

Performances include live music from WMU’s very own Japanese rock band, a Japanese traditional dance and a fashion show, which will highlight Tokyo fashion as well as a deeper presentation of the Japanese tradition of a Cosplay (Costume Play) show, which involves popular Anime characters. Anime is Japan’s biggest entertainment export.

Japan Club is an organization that meets weekly in room 212 of the Bernhard Center on Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. Meetings  discuss different cultural aspects of the Japanese and American culture.

Japan Club also sponsors a Japanese “Language Table,” which is spearheaded by Global and International Studies major, Bragalone where students that are learning Japanese pair up with a Japanese person as their “Language Partner,” and practice their language skills.

Bragalone said this helps both the Japanese and American students in getting a one-on-one experience in conversing, exchange of cultures and building international networks.

Japan Club is also an active participant for the International Programs Council (IPC) events at WMU, such as the International Potluck that took place earlier this semester.

Later in the semester Japan Club presents “Undokai,” or Sports Festival, where Japan Clubs from all over Michigan are coming to compete in various sporting events.

“What distinguishes the Japan Club here at WMU is that we conduct our meetings in English and that it isn’t primarily a club for Japanese students. We try to make it a very welcoming environment to everyone as much as possible,” Masada said.

Japan Club welcomes anyone who has an interest in Japanese culture and language and is dedicated to creating a bridge between the culture and language of Japan to the Western Michigan University and greater Kalamazoo area.

“Everyone is welcome, and it’s very easy to join. Japan Club is also a great supporter of exchange students from all around the world, and is a dynamic place full of diversity and friendship,” Promotions Manager for Japan Club Kaitlin Welliver said.