The Japanese community in Rwanda held a cultural festival as a way of exchanging cultural values and celebrating their relationship with the Rwandan community in Nyanza district.
The annual event was held at Nyanza technical school in Nyanza district (Southern Province) this February 24, and was organized by Japanese volunteers sponsored by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
They exhibited they Japanese culture through dances, clothes. Some of the games included Japanese karate, Kendo, Aikido, Nihon-Kenpo and Kung-Fu- aimed at educating Rwandans about the Japans culture and exchanging cultural values between the two countries.
The idea of this event was developed by one of the Japanese volunteers, Mami Sato, a technical teacher. Sato said that this is a special time for emphasizing the bi-relationship between citizens of the two countries.
Jerome Mwiseneza, a Rwandan who participated in the event, said that it was a learning experience. He said: “I have met new Japanese friends, and learnt their some of their cultural aspects”
The government of Japan supports Rwanda through human resources capacity building, boosting agriculture and business sectors, and infrastructure. The Japanese government also sends various volunteers to Rwanda-so far 140 volunteers have been sent to Rwanda. 45 of them work in various districts across the country – most of them are teachers of mathematics, technical education, ICT, and support cooperatives.