We went to Mikage Public Hall, a nationally registered cultural property in Kobe, to participate in a launch rally for a project involving the future of traditional Japanese culture.

This project takes advantage of the EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo to allow people from Japan and around the world to experience the charm and essence of Japanese culture, and to convey local traditions to the next generation, reaffirming the importance of passing them on to the future.

Today, just before the Expo, core volunteers for the project have come together from all over Japan for this common goal. The project is sponsored by Nikkei Newspaper as a media cooperation event for the Osaka Expo and is supported by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Based on the catchphrase “The Future in Tradition” the event will bring together a wide variety of different industries, including traditional arts, business circles, and industry experts. Never before has such a diverse set of people and industries come together to promote cultural exchange and event planning.

On this day, performers, including masters involved in Japan’s top traditional culture took to the stage to introduce themselves, perform and speak about the importance of preserving the traditions. Among them were a master of Ogasawara-ryu Reiho (a master of etiquette), a Noh drum player, a Gagaku performer, a member of the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, and a Rakugo storyteller.

At the behest of the representative who recommended the most beautiful **Kagami-biraki, sake was served in a magnificent traditional ceremony.

**Kagami-biraki is an auspicious celebration in which the lid of a large barrel of sake is broken with a wooden mallet, and sake is served with prayers of good fortune.

The operation headquarters introduced the activities that will be held at the EXPO. We look forward to seeing what happens at the upcoming EXPO.