Japanese Martial Arts Festival heads to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time

The event, to be organised by the Japanese Martial Arts Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO), and the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, is part activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The festival aims to offer Vietnamese people the opportunity to gain more information about Japanese martial arts, thereby further contributing to strengthening the friendship that exists between the two countries.

The Japanese delegation consists of 70 members, including coaches and leading martial artists representing nine types of modern Japanese martial arts, namely Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Sumo, Karatedo, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo, Naginata, and Jukendo.

Addressing the press conference held on November 7, Komura Masahiko, head of the Japanese martial arts delegation, shared that Vietnam is the first country outside Japan to be chosen as the venue for the festival after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that the event had previously been held in 18 different countries in order to enhance the international understanding of Japanese martial arts, and boost the friendship between Japan and those countries.

For his part, Ho Xuan Lam, vice president of the HUFO, noted that through the cultural and sporting activities, there will be more new cooperation projects to be undertaken to help spur economic and cultural development of both sides.