Consulates & Communities: AAPI Cultural Fair

On Wednesday May 6, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, in partnership with San Francisco State University’s Department of Modern Languages & Literatures, Division of Equity & Community Inclusion, and Division of International Education, cohosted "Consulates & Communities: AAPI Cultural Fair”. The event featured Asia-Pacific consulates and local AAPI organizations from around the San Francisco Bay Area to celebrate the diverse cultures of the AAPI community. In addition to Japan, other countries represented included China, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Samoa, Tonga, and Vietnam. The consulates and organizations shared their culture with SFSU students, faculty, staff, and the wider San Francisco community through booths highlighting each country and featuring traditional crafts and snacks.   
 
At Japan’s booth, attendees celebrated Children’s Day by crafting origami samurai helmets, while also learning about opportunities like the JET Program and studying in Japan. Attendees also browsed the Manga Truck, a mobile manga lounge by Orange Inc., which was onsite for the event.
 
During the opening ceremony, Consul General Kotaro Otsuki gave remarks, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation amongst the AAPI community. SFSU Associate Vice President of Equity & Community Inclusion Dr. Frederick Smith, and San Francico Supervisor Chyanne Chen also spoke.