Nisei Week Japanese Festival in Little Tokyo, Downtown LA

SAVE THE DATE - 2007 NISEI WEEK FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AUGUST 18-25

Save the date for the 67th Nisei Week Japanese Festival, being held from August 18-25, 2007 in Little Tokyo and Long Beach (Nikkei Games). The 2007 Nisei Week Festival will be held one week later than usual to accommodate the

Aomori Nebuta Festival float, which is coming to Los Angeles for the first time to participate in the Nisei Week Grand Parade on August 19, which is also starting later at 6 p.m.

Additionally, the Nisei Week Foundation is proud to announce its 2007 President, Keith Inatomi, who will lead the 67th Nisei Week Festival. This year's festival will build on the perpetual theme "Celebrating our Culture and Community," focusing on "Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future." As the face of Little Tokyo changes, especially with new housing and the shift in businesses, this year's festival promises to embrace these changes while educating a 'new' community of the rich Japanese and Japanese American culture that has come to be known through Nisei Week.

"This year we have the great opportunity of showcasing the Nebuta Festival from Aomori, Japan and bringing it to Nisei Week," said Inatomi. The Nebuta Festival is Japan's largest with a rich 300-year-old history. For the first time Los Angeles will experience this amazing Nebuta float that measures 30 ft. (L) x 24 ft. (W) x 17 ft. (H) made out of wood, special colored paper and hundreds of lights. Additionally, hundreds of lively dancers dressed in traditional costume, taiko drummers and pipers will accompany Nebuta along the parade route." This may be a once in a lifetime chance to see Nebuta. So come out and take part in Nisei Week August 18-25, in addition to the Grand Parade there's something for everyone and families to enjoy," added Inatomi.

Some of the other events and activities currently planned for the 2007 Nisei Week Festival include (see NiseiWeek.org for specifics):

• Nisei Week "Hoops" Basketball Tournament, June 22-24
• Nisei Week Baby Pageant, July 21
• Nikkei Games, August 4-19
• Martial Arts Demonstrations/Cultural Exhibits/Music Concerts/Car Show/Cosplay Contest, August 18-19
• Nisei Week Queen Coronation, August 18
• Nisei Week Grand Parade, August 19 (6 p.m.)
• Nisei Week Carnival and Street Arts, August 25-26
• Sumo Demonstration/Car Show/Taiko Gathering/Cultural Exhibits/Anime Festival, August 25-26
• Ondo Community Street Dance Celebration & Closing Ceremonies, August 26

Keith Inatomi has been involved in Nisei Week since 2001, when he was a member of the coronation committee. Previously he was coronation chair in 2003, Foundation 3rd vice president in 2005, and Foundation 1st vice president in 2006. Inatomi has also been active with the Japanese American Optimist Club, a member since 1994, he was JAO president from 1997-1999, and has since been a board of director.

Professionally, Inatomi is a project engineer for Northrop Grumman, overseeing the development and coordination of project deliverables and managing and coordinating major customer reviews.

In addition to Inatomi, the Nisei Week Foundation's 2007 officers are: Helen Ota, president-elect; Michelle Suzuki, secretary; Gerald Fukui, treasurer; Terry Hara, vice president ways & means; Nikki Kodama, vice president, events; Michael Lee, vice president, community relations; Diane Tanaka, vice president, marketing. The executive committee of its board of directors also include: Joyce Chinn, Staci Hashimoto-Fujita, Alan Furuta, Frances Hashimoto, Art Ishii, James Okazaki, Hayato Tamura, and Lauren Kinkade-Wong.

For a calendar of events information on the 67th Nisei Week Festival, please go to http://www.niseiweek.org/; for more Nebuta information, go to http://www.nebuta-la.org/.

Calendar Listing [view]
Volunteer Information [view]