On the 10^th and 11^th of November 2018, UEM Sunrise hosted the inaugural Japanese Autumn Festival, “Aki Matsuri” at Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

Jointly organized by UEM Sunrise and Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia, Southern Branch, Aki Matsuri is a Japanese autumn festival consisting of Japanese delicacies, dances and musical performances. It is also one of the major platforms for promoting and strengthening cultural ties between Malaysia and Japan, allowing locals to experience a variety of Japanese arts, culture and cuisine!

Admission was free, with the two-day festival being kicked off after an opening speech by UEM Sunrise Director, Southern 1, Mr. Jeff Saw Seong Keat in the presence of Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, Mr. Hiroyuki Orikasa.

About 30 dancers from Osaka, Japan, and various performers from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and local Japanese associations shared the stage during Aki Matsuri, enthralling the 10,000-strong audience with shows such as Wahaha (Gonzo, Cherry,) Cheer Dance, Yosakoi, Taiko, Soran Bushi and an Aikido demonstration.