Promoting Japan's Appeal Globally Through the "Japan Presentation Project" "JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION" Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from June 12 to July 13

The Japan Presentation 2014 Executive Committee will host the "JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 12 to July 13. This event will showcase Japan's proud culture and technology, offering visitors the chance to experience authentic Japanese hospitality.

The "Japan Presentation Project" positions the period leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as a prime opportunity to showcase Japan's appeal globally through Cool Japan initiatives. Its goal is for public and private sectors to collaborate in promoting Japanese culture, products, and services at internationally prominent venues and events, creating favorable conditions for Japanese companies to expand overseas.

As its first initiative, the "JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION" will be held in Brazil in 2015, ahead of the 120th anniversary of Japan-Brazil diplomatic relations. This "JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION" will showcase Japan's appeal from multiple angles, including serving Japanese cuisine, presenting Japanese festival culture such as yukata and Japanese drums, demonstrating 8K television broadcasting, introducing anime, comics, and J-POP, and hosting DJ events utilizing Vocaloid. Simultaneously, in collaboration with overseas diplomatic missions, government agencies, and Japanese-Brazilian organizations in Brazil, we will enhance business matching opportunities and implement the OMOTENASHI Hospitality Program.

The opening event on June 14 will feature a yukata stage designed by Junko Koshino, who oversaw the pavilion's design, and live demonstrations of Japanese cuisine by chefs including Shinya Koike, a leading Japanese restaurant chef in Brazil. Additionally, it will introduce easy-to-make Japanese recipes for home cooking.

"JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION Overview":
Name: JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION
Content: As the first initiative of the Japan Presentation project to convey Japan's appeal from multiple angles, it introduces Japan's proud culture and technology, known as "Cool Japan," and provides visitors with opportunities to experience authentic Japanese hospitality.
Organizer: Japan Presentation 2014 Executive Committee
Dates: June 12 - July 13, 2014 ※Rio de Janeiro local time
Hours: 12:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Until midnight only on June 14)
Venue: Parque da Bola (Jockey Club, Rio de Janeiro) http://www.parquedabolario.com.br/

＜Special Programs During the Event Period＞ ※Rio de Janeiro local time
◆ June 14: JAPAN OMOTENASHI PAVILION Opening
3:00 PM Opening Stage - Junko Koshino-designed yukata stage, Japanese drum performance, etc.
4:00 PM Opening Reception ~ Junko Koshino OPA Exhibition, Japanese Food & Sake Tasting

◆ June 19: "Traditional JAPAN DAY"
5:00 PM SAKE Party ~ Japanese food and sake tasting, etc.
6:00 PM Wadaiko Live Performance ~ Performance by a Rio-based wadaiko group

◆June 24: "Cool JAPAN DAY"
2:00 PM Japanese Restaurant Week Opening Ceremony ~ Japanese food and sake tasting, kagami-wari sake barrel breaking, etc.
4:00 PM VOCALOID Live ~ DJ/VJ live performance by a leading expert utilizing VOCALOID technology