The University of Northern Iowa is set to host its first-ever Japan Festival on April 17, a landmark event culminating two years of dedicated work by Maoko Umeda, the university's Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator. The event is set as a celebration of the connections that Umeda has made within the local community and throughout the Midwest, bringing together communities and introducing Japan to the Heartland. The festival invites partners, collaborators, and the larger community to engage and immerse themselves in an evening of cultural exchange and celebration. 

Maoko Umeda: A bridge between cultures

Maoko Umeda arrived at UNI as one of only eight JOI coordinators selected nationwide, a testament to UNI's commitment to international engagement. Her role, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Japan Foundation, in partnership with the Laurasian Institution, is to raise awareness and interest in Japan, particularly in regions with limited opportunities for Japan-related education.

Since her arrival, Umeda has worked to build bridges between local partners, state organizations and Midwest communities, bringing Japanese culture and education to hundreds.  Stationed at UNI, she has collaborated extensively with universities, public libraries, K–12 schools and community organizations across the Midwest. Reflecting on the last two years, Umeda reinforces the importance of community. “As the JOI Coordinator at UNI, these past two years have been about building community and sharing Japanese culture across Iowa.” Her efforts have brought a wide array of educational programs and workshops on Japanese culture, language, and customs to diverse audiences throughout Iowa, and specifically the Cedar Valley. 

Umeda's personal journey to Iowa, having only visited the U.S. briefly before, underscores her dedication to her position and cultivating this community of cultural exchange. Her enthusiasm for sharing Japanese culture and her eagerness to learn about American life have made her an invaluable asset to UNI and the broader community. As she looks towards the Japan Festival, she notes that “This festival brings together the connections and experiences I’ve created, and I hope everyone who attends will have the opportunity to truly experience and enjoy Japanese culture with us!” 

An evening immersed: A peek into Japan 

The Office of International Engagement will be hosting UNI's Japan Festival on Friday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Maucker Union Ballrooms. This two-hour cultural immersion will include a colloquium on Why Japan in Iowa? From 2 to 5 p.m., attendees will hear from Consulate-General of Japan representative, Yuya Murata, and other organizations that promote the Iowa Partner State relationships, especially in Yamanashi province. In the colloquium and festival, partners and organizations from around the state and Midwest will share facets of Japanese culture, craft, music and more! Guests should expect plenty of hands-on activities, opportunities to engage, and various performances throughout the evening. Take a peek into a range of activities below: 

• Musical performances from Soten Taiko from Des Moines, as well as UNI's own Taiko Group, led by Professor Staci Toma. 
• Large-scale calligraphy performance by JOI Coordinator Miho Kawashita from Kansas, one you won't want to miss. 
• View the intricacies and delicate nature of a Japanese Tea Ceremony by Professor Kiyo Matsuyama.
• Get hands-on with calligraphy, origami, talisman making and a pop-up Manga Cafe from the Cedar Falls Public Library. 
• Take advantage of a photo opportunity with a Yukata Try On, visit a traditional shrine and get your fortune. 

The Japan Festival is open to all and is aimed at engaging all ages and communities in celebration of Japan's intricate and layered culture. 

Fostering lasting connections

With the departure of Umeda coming this summer, the Office of International Engagement hopes to use this event as an opportunity to solidify and strengthen community partnerships to keep providing cultural programming, especially Japan-focused, to the Cedar Valley. 

The Office of International Engagement offers events throughout the year that are free and open to the public, often featuring cultural programming and exchange. You can find updated event information on its website or through our social media accounts.