Justin’s Japan: Japan Day @ Central Park Hosts Music Stars from Keiko Matsui to D.M.C.

By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.Now in its fifth year, the upcoming edition of Japan Day @ Central Park on Sunday (May 22nd) will feature a galvanizing stage performance with other family-friendly activities under the theme ”Ganbare Japan!” (You can do it, Japan!) in light of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred in March.After holding its traditional four-mile Japan Run on May 8, this year’s Japan Day Festival at Rumsey Playfield will feature stage performances and activity tents. Its special guests, introduced in three distinctly-themed acts over seven full hours, will include Circus, Senri Oe, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels (of New York hip-hop legends Run-D.M.C.), AISHA,Keiko Matsui, Mai Fukui, Yuka Takara, Lainie Sakakura, and TEN-YOU. Co-hosting the event are Sandra Endo, a national correspondent for CNN Newsource and NY1 alumna, andBrian Nishii, a Tokyo native and veteran of New York City’s performing arts scene.Matsui—whom this Examiner conducted an exclusive interview with last year—will also be headlining two concerts later that night at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, a stone’s throw from Times Square.Throughout the Japan Day Festival in the Naumburg Bandshell area near the stage show, there will be several activity tents for New Yorkers to experience Japanese culture firsthand—and “hands on.” A language tent will introduce key Japanese words, and other activities include origami, robot sumo battle, the Hello Kitty photo booth, and calligraphy. Patrons can also enjoy Japanese snacks, drinks and special festival food.For the complete story, click here.