Japanese Autumn Festival on Oct. 26 at Sugar King Park

The Japanese Society of the Northern Mariana Islands announced thar the Japanese Autumn Festival will mark its 38th year on Oct. 26 from 5pm to 9pm at Sugar King Park.

Japanese Autumn Festival organizing committee chair Shigeki Tenorio, vice chair Hiroko Tenorio, and Katsuko Takahashi met with Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” B. Camacho to discuss the event last Thursday at the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room.

According to Hiroko Tenorio, the Japanese Autumn Festival will feature a lot of Japanese culture and will include its rich cuisine and traditional games.

“So, whoever that can visit our festival can feel the little flavor of Japan,” she said.

The event will be kicked off by a performance from the Saipan Awaodori Team and will be followed by the opening ceremony, distribution of sake, the introduction of Cho-chin (Japanese lantern), performances by the Himawari Kenbukan-Kendo team and Katori Jinja Urayasu no Mai (Katori-Shrine Maiden’s Urayasu dance), before ending with the sponsors gift distribution.

Shikegi Tenorio said that the vendors are members of the Japanese Society of the Northern Mariana Islands including Aqua Resort Club Saipan, Himawari Restaurant, and Kinpachi Restaurant.

He also mentioned that Camacho has always been supporting them and also thanked the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Department of Land and Natural Resources for their help throughout the years.

“We want the community to know how the Saipan Mayor’s Office is really helping the Japanese community,” said Shikegi Tenorio.

Hiroko Tenorio added that seven Tanapag School students who are part of the trip to Katori City will join the festival.

“Katori City is one of our sister cities and the mayor really put the effort to promote the exchange program. Other than this (event), our Tanapag Middle School students and one public school in Katori City will visit from Oct. 15 to 22,” she added.

Camacho, meanwhile, said he wants Japanese tourists to return in droves to Saipan.

“I will not stop, and continue to reach out to the Japanese community. We have a permanent mark. So, we need to continue to reach out, so the younger generation will receive those things. So as a mayor of this municipality, I will not stop. The stronger that we build the relationship, the better for all of us,” he said.