Jun 20

Justin’s Japan: New York Mets’ Japanese Heritage Night Aids Disaster Relief Efforts

Article/Journalism, Justin's Japan Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: New York Mets’ Japanese Heritage Night Aids Disaster Relief Efforts

The New York Mets host their second annual Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field June 21.

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field, this new tradition’s second edition on June 21 will pit the New York Mets against ex-Yankee Hideki Matsui’s Oakland A’s.

Scheduled for the pre-game show to celebrate Japan’s culture and heritage are New York-based taiko troupe Soh Daiko; the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York; a tribute to Wally Yonamine, the first American to play professional baseball in Japan after World War II; and the Spirit Award to the People of Tohoku to be accepted by Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki of the Consul General of Japan in New York. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

Sponsored by the Japanese community of New York, the event is also supported by those outside the five boroughs. California-based artist Andrea Fono purchased two tickets for the game to support the cause in recognition of the enormous contributions Japan has made to other countries, including her husband’s homeland of Fiji, which Japan donated tents and blankets to after Cyclone Tomas battered the islands last year.

“The people of Japan are consistently some of the kindest people in the world,” Fono said. “And the nation is extraordinarily generous in their contributing to other nations. This includes their relief contribution after the cyclone. We are grateful!”

Also involved with relief efforts are members of the JET Alumni Association, a group that raised over $10,000 in a single night for the JETAA USA Fund in April.