Kurdish community celebrates Newroz in Japan

The Kurdish community in the Japanese city of Saitama celebrated Newroz, with around 1,500 people participating and performing traditional Kurdish circle dances.

22 March, 2026 20:39

NEWS DESK

The Kurdish community living in Saitama, Japan, celebrated Newroz with wide participation. The event was held in Akigase Park in the city, where nearly 1,500 people gathered.

Participants wore traditional Kurdish clothing and performed group dances, while traditional foods were also served. Some Japanese attendees showed interest in the event and joined the celebrations.

Fakkas Cholak, representative of the Kurdish Cultural Association in Japan, which organized the event, said in his speech—where he congratulated attendees on Newroz—that some parties attempt to link the holiday with “terrorism.” He stressed that they will stand against such smear campaigns and oppose any attempts to harm relations between Japan and the Kurdish people.

Representatives of civil society organizations supporting the event also pointed to the need for legal measures to prevent the recurrence of such hate speech, emphasizing the importance of stronger legal mechanisms to protect Kurdish rights.

ANHA