Daffodil International University (DIU), in association with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, hosted Japan Festival 2026 at its Daffodil Smart City campus on Saturday, bringing together Japanese cultural traditions, educational activities and cross-cultural exchanges.
The festival featured traditional Japanese arts, interactive workshops, cultural displays, food and educational activities aimed at promoting cultural understanding and strengthening people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and Japan, the university said in a press release.
Students, faculty members and visitors participated in activities including Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), Origami and a Chopstick Workshop, alongside Japanese food, anime and other cultural experiences.
The event was attended by Aoyagi Yu, Head of Public Relations and Culture at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, and Kazi Bushra Ahmed Tithi, Cultural Specialist, Public Relations and Culture at the embassy. Other guests included Shahinoor Baby, life member of Bangladesh Ikebana Association, and Kazi M Noor, representing Nihon Jai, Bangladesh.
The programme highlighted opportunities for students to explore Japanese language, higher education, skills development and career prospects while encouraging greater educational and cultural collaboration between the two countries.
Prof M R Kabir, Vice-Chancellor of DIU, visited different stalls and activity areas, interacting with participants and appreciating the cultural displays. He thanked the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, Daffodil International Professional Training Institute (DIPTI), Daffodil Japan IT (DJIT), Daffodil Institute of Languages (DIL), Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the organising committee for their efforts.
Following the festival, the Japanese embassy delegation, accompanied by the vice-chancellor, visited the Japan Study Centre at Daffodil Smart City. The delegation appreciated the centre’s potential as a platform for Japanese cultural learning, educational information and bilateral academic engagement.
The festival was jointly organised by DIU and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, with support from DIPTI, DJIT, DIL and OSA.
