Volunteers of the Japan Overseas Cooperation (JOVC), Friday,held a cultural festival with the aim of promoting cultural relations between Rwanda and Japan.

During the festival popularly known as "Nihon Matsuri”, Japanese dancers and actors as well as children studying at the Centre Scolaire Umucomwiza thrilled guests with music and drama.

The guests also previewed a video showing the activities of the volunteers serving within various government institutions.

Asako Kato, one of the volunteers serving as a teacher at the Kimironko-based centre, said that the event particularly targeted local communities interested in understanding the relationship between the Rwandan and Japanese cultures.

"In this festival, we aim at promoting cultural exchange and build Rwanda-Japan friendship through bringing a lively sense of Japan to local communities,” Kato said in an interview.

"It is also a celebration of the successful contributions we have made towards human empowerment in Rwanda.”

There are 118 Japanese volunteers currently serving in the areas of health, education, community empowerment in various government institutions throughout Rwanda.

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