THE Embassy of Japan is showing free Japanese films as part of Japanese Food and Film Festival 2015 at Times Square Shopping Centre.

Speaking at the festival’s launch yesterday, Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Noriko Iki said it marks the first time the embassy is showing Japanese films at a cultural event in seven years.

Organised by the embassy in conjunction with Times Square Shopping Centre and the Japan Foundation, the three-day festival will be showcasing four Japanese films with English subtitles at designated times.

The festival also features games and quizzes, cooking demonstrations and a wasabi eating competition.

Present as the guest of honour at the festival’s launch was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, who was accompanied by his spouse Datin Hjh Rosnah Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Dato Seri Laila Jasa Hj Johari.

As part of the launch, YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair watched a live Japanese food preparation demonstration by Eiji Usuki, who is the personal chef of the Japanese ambassador.