The first ever Japan Parade in New York City will be held on Saturday, May 14, beginning at 1pm.The purpose of the parade is to celebrate, express and bring awareness to the friendship between NYC and Japan with a thank you from the Japanese community. Actor, author, civil rights activist, and Influencer George Takei will be the Parade’s inaugural Grand Marshall.   The Japan Parade is affiliated with Japan Day, an annual event that has taken place in Central Park since 2007.   This year also marks the 150th anniversary of two important milestones for Japan-United States relations: the Japanese mission to the United States, led by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Iwakura Tomomi, as well as the United States’ introduction of baseball to Japan.
Beginning on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 68th Street, the Japan Parade will feature live performances by the cast of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” The Super Live, Young People’s Chorus of New York CityCobuSoh DaikoJapanese Folk Dance of NY10tecomaiTate Haroryu, International Karate Organization Kyokushin-kaikan, and Anime NYC. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.   George Takei will serve as the parade’s inaugural Grand Marshall, and Sandra Endo, news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News and feature reporter for Good Day LA, will serve as Emcee of the parade.