Japan Festival Held in Dhaka After Seven Years

Japan Festival 2026 was held in Dhaka on Friday, marking its return after seven years and showcasing Japan's traditional culture, arts and heritage.

Organised by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the festival took place at the National Theatre Hall of the Shilpakala Academy.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi addressed the inaugural ceremony, while Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury attended as chief guest.

In his address, the minister highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan, saying cultural exchange plays an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties.

He said initiatives like the Japan Festival allow Bangladeshi audiences to experience Japan's rich cultural heritage while creating scope for interaction among artists, cultural practitioners and youths of both countries.

He stressed the need to expand cultural exchanges, noting that greater mutual understanding and respect can be fostered through such initiatives. He thanked the organisers and expressed hope that similar programmes would continue.

The festival featured a variety of traditional Japanese cultural performances. Demonstrations of Japanese martial arts, including karate and kendo, were among the major attractions.

Japanese musical duo Bajna Beat also performed in collaboration with Bangladeshi musicians, presenting a fusion of Japanese and Bangladeshi musical expressions.

The festival concluded with a performance of traditional Japanese dance by Senju Einojo.

Visitors also explored Japanese traditions through several interactive and display-based activities, including sado, the traditional tea ceremony, as well as bonsai and ikebana, offering insights into Japanese aesthetics and heritage.

An information and counselling booth was set up for students interested in higher education opportunities in Japan. Participants could also take part in hands-on activities for practical exposure to Japanese culture.

Organisers said the festival would help promote the richness of Japanese culture in Bangladesh while strengthening cultural ties and people-to-people connections.

The return of the festival after a seven-year gap was seen as an important platform for deepening cultural understanding and friendship between the two countries.