Japanese experience draws the crowd

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MORE than 3,500 people thronged the 37th Japan Charity Fiesta and Bazaar that was held at Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur recently.

Enthusiastic visitors had begun queueing before 11am and the line stretched from the Grand Ballroom on the second floor all the way to the ground floor.

There were more than 60 booths, selling items like trinkets, decorations, handmade bags, craft, electrical appliances and Japanese food.

Making the rounds: Guests of honour Masahiko Horie (right), his wife Yoko (left) and charity bazaar organising committee vicepresident Chieko Kiyofuji, who is also the Japanese Women’s Association president, visiting the booths.

Visitors had a fun time trying on the kimonos and having their photos taken and made into a calendar at the stage area.

The children made a beeline for the Ennichi corner, where they had a go at traditional Japanese games like wanage (throwing hoops) and yoyo-fishing.

The new additions to this year’s bazaar, namely Japanese toy-making and golf-putting, drew positive response from the visitors, who tried their hand at making their own toys and scoring a hole-in-one.

Creative challenge: Visitors trying their hand at making craft and other Japanese traditional toys

Visitors shopped to their heart’s content, doing their part for charity in the process, as the proceeds will be donated to welfare organisations.

The heads of more than 30 diplomatic missions, including those of various countries in Africa and South America, as well as that of South Korea, visited the bazaar to lend their support.

Japan Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie and his wife Yoko Horie were the guests of honour.

According to Masahiko, the bazaar attracts not only the Japanese community in Malaysia but the multiracial Malaysian community, too.

“About half of the visitors are regulars because they know what is in store.

“I think Malaysians are always willing to take part (in such activities) and have a good attitude.

“I believe that the friendly relationship between Japan and Malaysia is strengthened by such activities and there’s a very good cultural exchange,” he said.

“We understand that the welfare groups are more in need at this particular moment, so we doubled our efforts to help,” he added.

He noted that despite the current economic situation, the event had still received the same amount of money from Japanese companies operating in Malaysia as it had in previous years.

“This is a 12-month process as the planning for next year’s bazaar starts the day after this one ends.”

“Those who help out in the bazaar start making the craft in April and we will visit the welfare organisations between June and September to know their needs,” Yoko said.

She added that some of the charity organisations had set up their own booths so that they could raise money on their own, and that the event was also a platform for artists to showcase their pieces.

After shopping, the visitors filled their bellies with traditional Japanese offerings like onigiri (rice balls), ramen (noodles) and sushi, as well as other Japanese food sold at the bazaar.