NHK WORLD TV's Host and International Pop Superstar May J., Canadian Rakugo Storyteller Katsura Sunshine and Beloved Mascot Domo to Highlight Washington, D.C.'s Celebrated Cherry Blossom Festival

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NHK WORLD TV, the English-language channel operated by Japan's sole public broadcaster, will bring international pop superstar, May J. of "J-MELO," Katsura Sunshine, Rakugo storyteller and host of "Dive into UKIYO-E" and the network's beloved mascot Domo to Washington, D.C. to participate in the renowned National Cherry Blossom Festival which starts Monday, March 20 and continues through Sunday, April 16. NHK WORLD TV is available in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver and Charlotte.

Below are NHK WORLD TV's kick-off festivities at the Cherry Blossom Festival:

March 24 – May J. will conduct a morning meet-and-greet with students at Eleanor Roosevelt High School and later that evening will perform at the Kennedy Center from 6:00PM to 7:00PM.

March 25 – May J. will perform at the Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony at 5:00PM

April 6 – Katsura Sunshine will perform Rakugo at Japan Bowl at the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C. at 6:10PM

April 8 – National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade: Accompanying Katsura Sunshine and Domo on the NHK WORLD TV float will be PBS Kids' mascot, Daniel Tiger, through its relationship with its broadcast partner MPT that serves the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets and can be seen throughout the State of Maryland. The parade is from 10:00AM to 12:00PM.

April 9 – Katsura Sunshine will perform Rakugo at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at 12:00PM and 2:00PM.

April 10 - Katsura Sunshine will perform Rakugo at the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan at 6:30PM

An international recording artist, May J. is the host of NHK WORLD TV's music show, "J-MELO." She became widely known for recording the official Japanese version of "Let It Go" for Disney's Frozen. With roots in Japan, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Spain and the U.K., May J. is a multi-lingual singer who also has a great talent for songwriting, dancing and playing piano. On March 29, she will release her first duet album, "Best of Duets," and start a national tour in Japan in May. May J. was invited to take part in the Cherry Blossom Festival by The Japan Foundation and Japan Information & Culture Center.

A Canadian-born Rakugo storyteller and host of NHK WORLD TV's "Dive into UKIYO-E," Katsura Sunshine's program features a fun, educational presentation of Ukiyo-e prints focusing on its details reflecting the Edo-ites' lives and thinking. He performs Rakugo in English around the world and is frequently invited by Japanese embassies to introduce Japanese culture through Rakugo.

May J., Katsura Sunshine and Domo can be seen on NHK WORLD TV on channels 268 (Comcast) or 480 (Verizon FiOS) and over the air on six channels including 67.4 (Baltimore) and channel 22.4 (Washington, D.C.). For all other listings, viewers can visit mpt.org/about/channels or check with their local cable provider.

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About Japan International Broadcasting, Inc.

SOURCE NHK WORLD TV

Related Links

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/