JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving on board. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Junko Bannai, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the choreography of the Otemoyan So Odori dance in Kumamoto Prefecture.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Have you made your plans for this summer?
In Kumamoto, where I am an ambassador, the “Fire Country Festival” will be held for three days from August 4 to 6 for the first time in four years.
In 2016, JAL formed the “JAL Otemoyan Cheering Squad” consisting of staff from Kumamoto Branch and Kumamoto Airport, as well as Kumamoto-loving JAL staff from all over Japan, to participate in the “Otemoyan So Odori”, the main event of the “Fire Country Festival”.
The “Fire Country Festival” was originally a spring event in Kumamoto to worship the dead of war after the Meiji Restoration in 1869. Over the years, in response to the requests of Kumamoto citizens for a festival in which all citizens could participate, the “Hinokuni Matsuri” has been transformed into the “Hinokuni Matsuri” of today.
In the “Otemoyan So Odori”, approximately 5,000 dancers from about 60 groups dance through the center of the city to the tune of Kumamoto’s representative folk song, “Otemoyan”, and the crowd gets very excited.
–How are you involved in this effort?
The “Otemoyan So Odori” has a basic pattern, but each group can create their own original choreography. This year was the first time in four years and the first “Otemoyan So Odori” in which JAL Furusato Ambassadors were involved, so I decided to devise the choreography. I would be very happy if you could feel the JAL character incorporated in the dance.
What I would like to recommend this festival to everyone is that you can jump in and join the festival even on the day of the festival. After registering at the office, you will receive a lecture on the dance from a member of the Fire Country Festival Lovers’ Association, and then you can join in as a dancer.
During the “Hinokuni Festival,” Kumamoto Castle will be lit up in red, the park will open in the evening, and a night market will be held in Josaien, the castle town (summer/Saturday only).
We hope you will join us for this hot festival in hot Kumamoto, where you can enjoy interacting with everyone in the community.
© Source travel watch