This article explains the representation of Japanese culture at the official Japan Day event of the Osaka-Kansai Expo and the cultural promotion through manga featuring the official character "Myaku-Myaku."
Key Points
1. Overview of Japan Day Official Event
- Date: July 3, 2025, National Day of host country Japan
- Venue: Shine Hat at EXPO Hall
- Participants: Approximately 1,100 including domestic and foreign guests and lottery-selected general attendees
- Theme: "Life will bloom - Life Shines Again and Again"
- Official ceremony followed by approximately 30-minute official event
2. Cultural Expression Through Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
- Opening with gagaku (court music) performance by the Imperial Household Agency's Music Department
- Solo performance of the national anthem by Ayano Nonomura
- Gagaku transforms into powerful tones with modern musical elements
- Video presentation of highlights from Japanese cultural history including Animal Scrolls, Wind and Thunder Gods, and Jakuchu
- Performance by "Iimuro Naoki Mime Company" fusing Japanese manga and dance
3. Cultural Promotion Through Myaku-Myaku Manga
- Four types of "Myaku-Myaku Manga" projected as background
- "Future World": Myaku-Myaku-shaped robot visiting future city with flying cars
- "Fluttering Heart": Romance story in shoujo manga style
- "Heart of Harmony": Delicate emotional portrayal even for antagonists, depicting dialogue and empathy
- "Courage to Embark on Unknown Adventures" and "Friendship with Companions": Journey to new lands
4. Universal Appeal of Japanese Manga Culture
- Exploring reasons for love across linguistic and cultural barriers
- Global spread of unique Japanese expression techniques like "speech bubbles" and "onomatopoeia"
- Complex emotional portrayal beyond simple good-versus-evil dichotomy
- Universal themes in Japanese manga as factor in global acceptance
- Expression of how Japan content spreads globally with manga as starting point
5. Event Climax and Archival Preservation
- Special performance by Norika Fujiwara
- Special live performance by MISIA themed on "Hope for the Future"
- Host address by Prime Minister Ishiba and words from Crown Prince Akishino
- Full version with copyright clearance archived on YouTube
- Comprehensive presentation of Japanese culture at midpoint of expo period
The article evaluates that the "quite bold" official event successfully expressed both the uniqueness and universal appeal of Japanese culture by fusing traditional culture with modern pop culture.