Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh in collaboration with Shilpakala Academy organised 'Japan Fest 2018' on 15 September. This is for the first time Japan Fest was organised in Dhaka that showcased both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture as well as music. More than thousand people enjoyed the fest and immersed themselves into Japanese culture.

Japan and Bangladesh have established a long and friendly relation since 1972. In terms of recent cultural and educational exchanges, Japan has provided its government scholarship for about 170 Bangladeshi students, while cultural events including Japanese film festival, Judo competition, Japanese speech contests, manga and anime workshop etc. were organised in Dhaka last year.

'Japan Fest 2018' was organised to bring Japanese culture for Bangladeshi people at hand to further enhance amicable relations between the two countries. 'This was the first time for me to experience so many Japanese cultures at once,' said Ms. Anika Begum, who is majoring Japanese language at University of Dhaka. 'I attended Japanese tea ceremony and thrilled to taste the tea which is a rare chance here in Dhaka.'

Apart from various Japanese cultural displays and workshops, three renowned Japanese musicians performed in the Japanese pop song and traditional music concert in the evening, bringing additional excitement to the audience.

The event was supported by Japanese and Bangladeshi organisations; Regent Airways, Ajinomoto, Grameen UNIQLO, Honda Bangladesh, Studio Padma, Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka, Bangladeshi Ikebana Association, Bangladesh Bonsai Association, ICARUS and students of Department of Japanese Language and Culture as well as Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka.