For the past 23 years, people have celebrated Japanese culture at the annual Japan Expo. The Japan Expo has been successful in strengthening the bond between Japan and America and educating others about Japanese culture. Japan Expo 2002 was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center not too far from Los Angeles' "Little Tokyo."

This year's Japan Expo drew large crowds and there were lines filled with people eagerly waiting to enter the convention hall. Unlike other conventions usually covered by Akadot, the visitors consisted of occasional anime/manga fans and business people; but it seemed to be mostly a function in which families and friends attended. Although this was a "Japan" Expo, there was a diverse crowd enjoying the different aspects of Japan.

Japan Expo was packed with performances, karaoke, parades, and demonstrations. There were also many different exhibitors and displays ranging from cars, Japanese jewelry, travel information, handicrafts, anime, and more. This year, Japan Expo featured a new area of the convention called "Great Edo" and "Little Kyoto," where crafters and merchants direct from Japan displayed their goods. However, the most popular section seemed to be the food booths, with long lines for such culinary delights as yakisoba, miso soup with rice, and even carrot juice. Also, some chefs took it a step further and created new recipes for Japan Expo attendees. One favorite was the traditional taiyaki, which usually features sweet azuki beans inside a fish-shaped cake outer shell. However, a new twist on this traditional favorite snack was available with chocolate cream instead of azuki beans. Many enjoyed this "east meets west" dish.

There were also many new booths featuring aspects of Japanese pop culture most Americans are unfamiliar with. One booth featuring Japanese wrestling (not sumo) depicted buff men and women wearing masks. The representative of this booth, Takeshi Kazuya, explained a little about wrestling in Japan. Although specifics of the Japanese wrestling weren't revealed, he mentioned that at least one form of wrestling (K1 http://www.k-1.co.jp ) incorporates karate into the sport. There are also female wrestlers featured in this sport that are popular and attract a large group of male fans.

There were also booths featuring Japanese television and information on how Americans can receive Japanese programming on their on television sets in America. Japan TV distributed information about their service and Japanese broadcasting information. In spite of the anime programs being limited to children's shows, there were still a variety of genres, such as documentaries, dramas, and quiz shows. Chiho Izzo, a representative of the Dish Network explained which shows are popular. One Japanese reality show where youth are sent to various cities to find love was a popular program. Also, soap operas-which would be relegated to a limited day-time audience in America, have a wider mainstream appeal in Japan. (She compared their success and recognition to the same type of success and recognition a show like Friends would garner over here.)

Finally, there was an animation/manga section featured in Japan Expo 2002, where Akadot and Comictones made an appearance. Many manga fans stopped by to see the latest in manga supplies and see a demonstration by Akadot writer Jodi Heard. On the final day of Japan Expo 2002, voice actor anime Hiro Yuuki (featured in anime such as Neon Genesis Evangelion) held a question and answer session with fans and performed.

Even though Japan Expo 2002 was quieter than other conventions, it was a busy event with a variety of traditional, contemporary and even futuristic displays that promoted the uniqueness and beauty of Japanese culture. As America grows more aware of this interesting and beautiful culture, Japan Expo is sure to grow and expand even bigger and better in the years to come.