SHAH ALAM, 6 Sept: The state government fully cooperated with the Bon Odori Dance Festival towards the country’s tourism industry.
It also strengthened relations between Japan and Malaysia because the festival is one of the largest festivals, reaching 39 years.
The Exco for Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs, Elizabeth Wong, said that the organisation of this year’s festival is very important and in live with the Visit Selangor Year 2015.
“The state government and Tourism Selangor fully supports this annual event and it has a big impact with the presence of 35,000 to 40,000 tourists, including about 2,000 Japanese each year.
“Despite the rain tonight (yesterday), it was not an obstacle for many people to come and enjoy Japanese music and art,” she said during a press conference at the National Sports Complex yesterday.
She said that the state government hopes that the festival organised together with the Kuala Lumpur Japanese Club, Tourism Selangor, the Japanese Embassy and several Japanese associations in Malaysia will be held at a larger scale next year in line with the 40th anniversary.
The Bon Odori festival was also attended by the Chief Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali, the Japanese Ambassador, Dr Makio Miyagawa, and the Organising Chairman, Toshihiko Todokoro.
Bon Odori is the biggest and most important Japanese dance festival in Malaysia and the world that is held on a large scale.
Meanwhile, Dr Makio Miyagawa, expressed a tremendous sense of pride due to Malaysian’s support towards the event with the presence of thousands of spectators at the complex.
“We are pleased with the presence of many spectators, not only Japanese, but also Malaysians, to equally enjoy Japanese music and art.
“I expect for the festival to take place in a more lively fashion next year,” he said.
NS
