Delta State University’s Japan Outreach Initiative recently hosted the first Japan Festival in the Mississippi Delta. The festival featured Japanese movie screenings, a taiko (Japanese drumming) performance, a lecture on Japanese ghost tales, cultural tables, and more. Mizuki Umebara, DSU’s Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator, said, “It was one of my dreams as a Japan Outreach Coordinator to create a big cultural event. I am excited that this came true thanks to many people’s support and interests.”
The event was supported by the Student Success Center, Japan Foundation New York, Mississippi Humanities Council, Cleveland Exchange Club, Delta Arts Alliance, Visit Cleveland Mississippi, Delta State University, and Japan Outreach Initiative, as well as individual sponsors and community members.
