logo
Parade blends elements of Penang and Japan

Parade blends elements of Penang and Japan

The Star23-06-2025
A show to remember: The Softbank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo performing during the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025 at Esplanade in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The Esplanade here came alive for the 10th edition of the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025.
Some 30 local and foreign teams, with over 1,200 dancers combined, took turns performing well-choreographed routines that had spectators cheering yesterday evening.
Receiving a warm welcome were two Japanese professional Yosakoi troupes – SoftBank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo and the Ioriwa Tokiwa Yosakoi Team from Nagoya – who performed here for the first time.
Their local counterparts, hailing mostly from schools and institutions in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Perlis, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur, were equally impressive. Clad in unique costumes and waving giant flags, their numbers had elements of local culture.
They also vied for the first-ever Yosakoi Awards, which were given out at the end of the night.
Emi Yamazaki, one of the event's main organisers, said this edition – themed 'Inspired by Japan, Uniquely Penang' – showed that the parade has grown to an international standard and is something everyone can be proud of.
Present to officiate the occasion were Consul-General of Japan in Penang Shinya Machida and Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
Wong said the event exemplified the state's shift in strategy towards experience-led and community-driven tourism.
'This means investing in events, programmes and partnerships that invite people to do more than just visit.
'We want them to engage, participate and return home with stories that will stay with them,' he added.
Yamazaki was also pleased to see the parade return to the Esplanade – where it was held annually from 2013 before shifting to Karpal Singh Drive from 2022 to 2024 – as they also wanted to promote Penang as a cultural heritage destination.
'With the City Hall, Town Hall and Fort Cornwallis as part of the parade backdrop, it showcased Penang's charms and will attract more foreign participation in years to come,' she added.
The event was capped off with a Japanese idol concert featuring several popular groups.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Two Malaysians defy limits to leave a legacy of creativity and courage
Two Malaysians defy limits to leave a legacy of creativity and courage

The Star

time3 hours ago

  • The Star

Two Malaysians defy limits to leave a legacy of creativity and courage

Disability is never the end of possibilities. With support, understanding and love, every individual can live a full, purposeful life and inspire those around them. No one lived that truth more fully than two extraordinary Malaysians who defied their respective physical and neurological limitations to build extraordinary lives. Although tech entrepreneur Tan Thong Kai and artist Janet Lee have passed on, their stories continue to demonstrate how love and support can empower even the most vulnerable among us to live not just ordinary lives, but impactful ones. Despite his physical disability, Thong Kai was active and independent. He wasn't defined by his condition and just wanted to live a normal, full life. Photo: Tan Thong Kai Thong Kai was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. As a result, he wasn't able to walk and required a wheelchair to move around. When he was six days old, he had already suffered his first fracture during a bath. Growing up, his bones fractured easily, often healing poorly, leaving him with misaligned limbs. Yet, none of that stopped him from living his life to the fullest. He studied computer science, started his own business, travelled alone across continents and became a respected figure in Malaysia's e-sports community. Despite enduring pain, multiple surgeries and stares from strangers, Tan responded to life with humour, tenacity and unshakeable positivity. 'If a kid asked why he looked different, he'd joke, 'I didn't listen to my parents' advice to eat my vegetables, so make sure you do!'' reveals his sister Tan Li Lynn. 'Ah Kai turned awkward moments into laughter.' 'He made his difficult life seemed easy,' his brother Tan Jun Tat, adds. 'He always used to say 'Aspire to inspire', and he's definitely an inspiration to all of us.' Tan is survived by his younger siblings: sisters Tan Lay Hui, 36, and Li Lynn, 32, and twin brothers, Jun Liang and Jun Tat, both 28, and his father Datuk CS Tan, 69, a widower. Janet was an artist who expressed herself through colours. Photo: The Star/Samuel Ong Janet's journey was different but no less remarkable. Born a healthy baby, she began having seizures at 18 months and was later diagnosed with intractable epilepsy – which meant her condition couldn't be treated with medication. She often collapsed without warning, suffering bruises and injuries. By the age of 16, Janet still couldn't read or write. 'No one could explain why,' says her mother, Joyce Moi, 69. 'There was nothing wrong with her brain nor her eyes.' It wasn't until a specialist in Australia suggested that the issue could be a neurological disconnect between her brain and vision that the pieces finally came together. 'An educational consultant in Melbourne said Janet's reading and writing issues could be hindered because of her vision. While her eyes and brain were fine, the connection between them wasn't,' reveals Moi. Faced with two choices – to help her daughter live within her limitations or push her to discover her fullest potential – Moi chose the latter. That decision changed everything. Janet became an artist, expressing herself not through conventional techniques but through colours. 'She was a colourist,' Moi explains. 'Her art expressed her feelings, thoughts and moods through vibrant hues and shades.' Her works found homes in galleries, on fashion and premium items, and even in people's homes and offices as part of curated collections. Janet began using WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook and could even order online meals independently. 'That might not seem like much to others,' says Moi. 'But for someone who was diagnosed as intellectually and developmentally disabled, she had come incredibly far.' Tan surprised everyone by travelling alone to Seattle for The International, an annual Dota 2 competition. He is pictured here with the Malaysian Dota 2 team. Photo: Tan Thong Kai While Janet's canvas was colour, Thong Kai's playground was digital. In 2003, he discovered Dota 2 – a multiplayer strategy game – and it quickly became his passion. Even though his physical condition made fast reflexes difficult, his strategic mind thrived. In 2021, Thong Kai joined the Ideal Coaching Global programme in Kuala Lumpur, training to help other players reach their potential. 'He told us it gave him confidence and purpose,' says Jun Tat. 'He couldn't always compete physically, but he could teach – and he was brilliant at it.' He even travelled alone to gaming tournaments and events in the United States, Norway and Ireland. 'He proved that physical limits didn't mean life limits,' he says. Janet, too, found meaning beyond her personal growth. Inspired by her journey, her family founded the House of Janet Lee, an initiative to mentor mothers of neurodivergent children. The project, encouraged by her father, Lee Tiam, 70, spearheaded by her mother, and named by her sister Joanne Lee, 42, aims to equip families with the tools and knowledge to help their children reach their potential. 'Every child deserves a chance, whether able-bodied, disabled or neurodivergent,' says Moi. 'That's what Janet taught us.' In 2022, Thong Kai (pictured with brother Jun Tat) opened Mecha, a mechanical keyboard store in Subang Jaya. Photo: Tan Thong Kai In 2022, Thong Kai opened Mecha, a mechanical keyboard store in Subang Jaya. It was one of the first of its kind in Malaysia, offering fully customised keyboards. 'It was his dream business,' says Jun Tat. 'He loved tech, design and wanted people to have keyboards tailored to their needs. Ah Kai understood struggle, so he always wanted to make things easier for others.' Thong Kai's store became a haven for keyboard enthusiasts – and a symbol of his resilience. His customers weren't just buying a product; they were witnessing a story of overcoming obstacles, and the of joy found in craft and connection. He was also a fan of Taiwanese singer and actor Jay Chou, never missing a concert in over 20 years. 'Jay Chou even asked from the stage, 'Is my fan Ah Kai here tonight?' That's how well he knew him,' says Li Lynn. Furthermore, he adored Singaporean singer-songwriter JJ Lin, and even met him once. 'Despite living with disability, Ah Kai was active and independent. He wasn't defined by his condition. He just wanted to live a normal, full life,' she adds. Janet was a colourist and expressed her feelings, thoughts and moods through vibrant hues and shades. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon Despite his physical fragility, Thong Kai's kindness was boundless. He was known among friends as the 'life of the party' – always cracking jokes, always ready to play games or hang out. But behind that infectious laugh was a deeply generous spirit, reveals one of his friends, Jeremy Tan. Once, a magician shared on social media that his gear had been stolen. Thong Kai had only met him once but immediately loaned him RM2,000. "Just want to help lah," he had said. 'Whenever anyone was feeling down because of difficulties, he'd say: 'You're healthy – you can find a way to solve this problem',' Jeremy recalls. Janet (right), pictured with her parents, has a legacy that lives on through her art (featured onfashion). The Star/Samuel Ong On Apr 21, Tan and his family had dinner together. 'It was such a happy night,' says Li Lynn. 'We didn't know it would be our last.' Their father flew to Australia that evening. The next morning, Tan developed breathing difficulties and couldn't be revived. The shock was immense. 'Most people with his condition don't live past 20,' their father confided. 'That he reached nearly 40 was already a miracle.' Thong Kai's siblings are still processing the loss. 'He taught us that life isn't about what you can't do,' says Li Lynn. 'It's about how much you give, how much you love, and how bravely you live.' When Janet passed away from ovarian cancer in 2023 at the age of 33, her family was devastated too, but they knew her journey wasn't over. Through her art and the House of Janet Lee, her story continues to guide other families in finding strength, even in hardship. These two never let their disabilities define them. Instead, they defined themselves through action, expression, joy and love. Their lives remind us that every individual – regardless of capability – has the potential to thrive, to give and to inspire. It starts with being believed in and loved.

Sony buys stake in ‘Gundam', ‘Pac Man' owner to grow anime empire
Sony buys stake in ‘Gundam', ‘Pac Man' owner to grow anime empire

Malay Mail

time5 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Sony buys stake in ‘Gundam', ‘Pac Man' owner to grow anime empire

TOKYO, July 25 — Sony has bought a strategic 2.5 per cent stake in Japanese game franchise giant Bandai Namco, which owns 'Gundam' and arcade classic 'Pac-Man', with a view to growing its anime business. Booming global appetite for Japanese animation has become a money-spinner for Sony, which acquired online anime library Crunchyroll in 2021. 'As two of the leading Japanese entertainment companies, Bandai Namco and Sony will focus on expanding the fan community… and strengthening engagement, particularly in the anime field where rapid market growth is anticipated,' said a joint statement released yesterday. With the 68 billion yen (US$460 million) transaction, the companies plan 'to create new and emotionally moving experiences for fans', it said. Sony's rival Nintendo already owns a 1.8 per cent stake in Bandai Namco, which also publishes the games 'Elden Ring' and 'Tekken', said Atul Goyal, equity analyst at Jefferies. 'Building on joint intellectual property successes like 'Gundam SEED FREEDOM', and 'Demon Slayer', the move aims to reinforce Sony's upstream IP strategy and Bandai Namco's global expansion push,' Goyal wrote. 'While there is no immediate earnings impact, the move strengthens Sony's positioning as a central hub in Japan's anime and IP value chain.' — AFP

Adidas and Dion Cools unveil heritage-inspired jersey
Adidas and Dion Cools unveil heritage-inspired jersey

The Sun

timea day ago

  • The Sun

Adidas and Dion Cools unveil heritage-inspired jersey

ADIDAS MALAYSIA launches a limited edition jersey inspired by national footballer Dion Cools, celebrating his heritage, cultural identity, and remarkable football journey. This jersey, a seamless blend of culture and performance, symbolises national pride, resilience, and unity. Designed in collaboration with Dion Cools – the first Malaysian to play for Japanese top-flight club Cerezo Osaka and a key defender for the Malaysian national team – the jersey reflects the athlete's deep connection to his roots and the nation he represents. Collaboration with Dion Cools A stalwart in Malaysia's national team since 2021, Dion Cools has become a symbol of local football defined by grit, leadership and cultural pride. The limited edition jersey reflects this narrative, drawing from Dion's standout performances and his unwavering commitment to representing the country at the highest level. 'Football has given me an incredible platform to represent where I come from and what I stand for. Partnering with adidas on this jersey let me tell that story in a whole new way. adidas has always stood for pushing boundaries. Through this collaboration, I hope to inspire others to embrace their identity and push for greatness,' said Dion Cools. Celebrating Culture Through Sport Born in Kuching, Sarawak and raised in Belgium, Dion was eligible to represent either country at international level, but ultimately chose to wear the Malaysian badge. This jersey design honours that decision: Infused with heritage-inspired patterns and modern performance detailing, the design reflects the duality of Dion's roots and career. 'At adidas, we believe in the power of sport to unite cultures, amplify stories and create new possibilities. Dion's story reflects everything adidas stands for: cultural authenticity, bold choices, and performance at the highest level,' said Preston Page, Country Manager, adidas Malaysia. The Dion Cools limited edition jersey is available in two colourways at select adidas stores and online via Retailing at RM169, consumers will get to redeem a complimentary collectible Dion Cools player card with each purchase, while stocks last.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store