ORGANIZERS
Co-organized by JapanFest, Inc., The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia), and supported by the Consulate General of Japan.
MISSION
The
mission of JapanFest is to improve understanding and appreciation of
linkages between Japanese and Americans residing in the Southeastern
United States through an annual salute to Japanese culture and
friendship entitled JapanFest. This celebration will promote
multicultural education, encourage social harmony, and ensure the
cultural integrity of JapanFest by providing an appropriate mix of
authentic contemporary and traditional programs on Japanese art and
culture. Activities include a wide variety of performing arts,
demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions. These grassroots
efforts are coordinated by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia
and The Japan-America Society of Georgia, and implemented by a host of
community volunteers. JapanFest is committed to organizing a
self-sustaining event, supported in part by non-Japanese Chamber of
Commerce and non-Japan-America Society of Georgia members, and provides
meaningful support to educational endeavors in Georgia. HISTORY
What
is now referred to as "JapanFest" began in 1981 as Japan Week, a
biannual series of Japan-related cultural events organized by the
Consulate-General of Japan that took place around the city of Atlanta.
In 1986, the name was changed to JapanFest, and the Japanese Chamber of
Commerce of Georgia, the Japan America Society of Georgia, and the
Consulate General of Japan organized their own events under the title of
JapanFest. In 1993, the first Picnic and Sports Day was held at Mercer
University. In 1995, Picnic and Sports Day became Japan Day at the
Atlanta Botanical Gardens. In 1996, JapanFest moved to Stone Mountain
Park and became an annual event. In 1997, JapanFest, Inc. was
incorporated as a non-profit corporation. In 2012, JapanFest had over
17,000 attendees, making JapanFest the largest Japanese festival south
of Washington, DC and east of Houston, TX. AWARDS
JapanFest was selected as a Top 20 Event by
the Southeast Tourism Society in 2003, 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2019, and was a
recipient of the Certificate of Commendation from the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2004 and 2011 for its contributions to the friendship and
goodwill between Japan and the United States. |