Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Let Us Root, Root, Root For Japanese Roots



With Japan's popular Koshien high school baseball tournament done and decided, the New York Mets are getting in on the Japanese boys of late summer action with their first annual Japanese heritage night at Citi Field this Friday.

In addition to discount tickets, the pre-game ceremony consists of a program of Japan-themed entertainment. Starting at 6:30 pm, festivities include taiko drumming by Soh Daiko, obon dance led by the Japanese Folk Institute of New York, and the Spirit Award Ceremony honoring various members of the community, including WWII vet Kaz Yamagushi, and HIV/AIDS activists Suki Terada Ports and Sam Kiyomi Turner.

What's bound to be a special night for the team and crowd alike will surely be extra special for the Mets' native Japanese players Ryota Igarashi and Hisanori Takahashi (whom we hope has polished his Spanish by now!) Among the guests of honor are Ambassador and Consul General Shinichi Nishimiya, and one-time ambassador and current Japan Society president Motoatsu Sakurai.

We hope you join us for this special night. If so, stop by Japan Society's booth and say hi. Or at least buy us some peanuts and cracker jacks!

S.J.

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