Join in on the fun this summer with Aki the Akita, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival mascot, at the 2007 Nisei Week Japanese Festival in Little Tokyo, Aug. 18-26.

Save the date for the 67th Nisei Week Japanese Festival, being held from Aug. 18-25 in Little Tokyo and Long Beach (Nikkei Games). The 2007 Nisei Week Festival will be held one week later than usual to accommodate the Aomori Nebuta Festival float, which is coming to Los Angeles for the first time to participate in the Nisei Week Grand Parade on Aug. 19, which is also starting later at 6 p.m.

Additionally, the Nisei Week Foundation is proud to announce its 2007 President, Keith Inatomi, who will lead the 67th Nisei Week Festival.

This year’s festival will build on the perpetual theme “Celebrating our Culture and Community,” focusing on “Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future.” As the face of Little Tokyo changes, especially with new housing and the shift in businesses, this year’s festival promises to embrace these changes while educating a “new” community of the rich Japanese and Japanese American culture that has come to be known through Nisei Week.

“This year we have the great opportunity of showcasing the Nebuta Festival from Aomori, Japan and bringing it to Nisei Week,” said Inatomi. The Nebuta Festival is Japan’s largest with a rich 300-year-old history. For the first time Los Angeles will experience this amazing Nebuta float that measures 30 ft. (L)x 24 ft. (W) x 17 ft. (H) made out of wood, special colored paper and hundreds of lights. Additionally, hundreds of lively dancers dressed in traditional costume, taiko drummers and pipers will accompany Nebuta along the parade route. “This may be a once in a lifetime chance to see Nebuta. So come out and take part in Nisei Week Aug. 18-25, in addition to the Grand Parade there’s something for everyone and families to enjoy,” added Inatomi.

Some of the other events and activities currently planned for the 2007 Nisei Week Festival include (see NiseiWeek.org for specifics):
• Nisei Week “Hoops” Basketball Tournament, June 22-24
• Nisei Week Baby Pageant, July 21
• Nikkei Games, Aug. 4-19
• Martial Arts Demonstrations/Cultural Exhibits/Music Concerts/Car Show/Cosplay Contest, Aug. 18-19
• Nisei Week Queen Coronation, Aug. 18
• Nisei Week Grand Parade, Aug. 19 (6 p.m.)
• Nisei Week Carnival and Street Arts, Aug. 25-26
• Sumo Demonstration/Car Show/Taiko Gathering/Cultural Exhibits/Anime Festival, Aug. 25-26
• Ondo Community Street Dance Celebration & Closing Ceremonies, Aug. 26

Keith Inatomi has been involved in Nisei Week since 2001, when he was a member of the coronation committee. Previously he was coronation chair in 2003, Foundation 3rd vice president in 2005, and Foundation 1st vice president in 2006. Inatomi has also been active with the Japanese American Optimist Club, a member since 1994, he was JAO president from 1997-1999, and has since been a member of the board of directors.

Professionally, Inatomi is a project engineer for Northrop Grumman, overseeing the development and coordination of project deliverables and managing and coordinating major customer reviews.

In addition to Inatomi, the Nisei Week Foundation’s 2007 officers are: Helen Ota, president-elect; Michelle Suzuki, secretary; Gerald Fukui, treasurer; Terry Hara, vice president ways & means; Nikki Kodama, vice president, events; Michael Lee, vice president, community relations; Diane Tanaka, vice president, marketing. The executive committee of its board of directors also include: Joyce Chinn, Staci Hashimoto-Fujita, Alan Furuta, Frances Hashimoto, Art Ishii, James Okazaki, Hayato Tamura, and Lauren Kinkade-Wong.

For a calendar of events information on the 67th Nisei Week Festival, please go to www.NiseiWeek.org; for more Nebuta information, go to www.nebuta-la.org.