Inaugural JX Matsuri at Weller Court Is a Success
Participants enjoying a game of hanafuda.
A boy aiming for a prize in the ring-toss game.
Siblings fishing for yo-yos.
Alannah Lugo making a floral decoration with the help of JX member Michelle Hanabusa.
The JX Festival was bustling with a festive, fair-like atmosphere.
On Aug. 16, the JX Matsuri — organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and Japan Crossover (JX), a group promoting Japan-U.S. exchange composed of local fourth-generation (Yonsei) and “new second-generation” (Shin-Nisei) Japanese Americans — was held at Onizuka Street and Weller Court as part of the Nisei Week Festival, drawing a large and lively crowd.
This event, which attracted attention as a first-of-its-kind initiative for Nisei Week, was realized through the collaboration of JX, the Nisei Week Foundation, and Little Tokyo Table Tennis (LTTT), a sports club based at the Terasaki Budokan. Positioned as a carnival-style community exchange event, it received sponsorship from local Japanese and Japanese American businesses, in addition to Little Tokyo businesses.
The festival featured a wide range of activities for all generations, including games, table tennis, and live entertainment. Children were engrossed in activities such as yo-yo fishing, ring toss, basketball shooting games, and balloon popping, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Japanese fair.
Celina Lugo, who attended from Covina with her daughter Alannah, commented on the festival: “It’s a chance to experience and enjoy Japanese culture. It was educational for my daughter, and we had a truly meaningful time. I’d love to come back next year.”
Consul General Kosei Murota said, “As this was the first-ever JX Festival, I was initially anxious, but I felt a sense of relief seeing the large turnout and the tremendous excitement. I am delighted that JX members participated in the Nisei Week Festival and were able to help energize Little Tokyo.
“I hope that young members would continue to bring a breath of fresh air to the festival.”