RRI.CO.ID, Shinjuku – The Kecak Festival organized by the Geinoh Yamashirogumi performing arts group in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, has served as a platform to strengthen cultural diplomacy while fostering closer ties between Indonesia and Japan. Held from July 30 to August 2, 2026, the festival attracted more than 500 spectators.

Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Nurmala Kartini P. Sjahrir, said that promoting Indonesia’s traditional arts and culture is an effective bridge for strengthening bilateral relations, especially when such initiatives are led by Japanese cultural communities.

“Geinoh Yamashirogumi has made an extraordinary contribution to strengthening the friendship between Indonesia and Japan through culture. This year’s festival is even more special as it brings together Indonesian artists, particularly from Bali, with performers from Japan, Georgia, and Bulgaria,” Kartini said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

The festival featured a variety of traditional Balinese performances, including the Kecak dance as its main attraction, the Legong dance, Balinese gamelan music, and performances of the bamboo percussion instrument jegog. More than 100 performers, comprising Japanese artists, Balinese artists, and participants from several other countries, took part in the event.

Kartini reaffirmed that the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote Indonesian arts and culture in Japan. She expressed hope that the festival would continue as a symbol of cultural harmony while encouraging even closer collaboration between the people of both countries.

Meanwhile, Akira Yajima, Executive Director of the Geinoh Yamashirogumi Kecak Festival Executive Committee, said the Kecak Festival, first held in 1976, has been dedicated to introducing Indonesian performing arts to Japanese audiences. This year’s edition showcased a blend of Kecak dance, Balinese gamelan music, Balinese dance, and jegog as part of efforts to strengthen cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Indonesia and Japan.

Held at the plaza of the Mitsui Building in Shinjuku, the festival also recreated the ambiance of Bali through traditional gapura gateways, endek textiles, ceremonial umbrellas, and lighting arrangements that enhanced the overall atmosphere of the performances.