5^th February 2018, Monday- Bandar Seri Begawan– Times Square Shopping Centre ended its annual Japanese Language and Culture Week yesterday on Sunday, 4^th February 2018. The event took place at the atrium of Times Square and was held from the 2^nd February (Friday) until 4^th February 2018 (Sunday). The event was hosted by The Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam, and co-organised by Japan Foundation and Times Square Shopping Centre. The supporters for the event comprised of Japan Brunei Friendship Association (JBFA), The Japanese Association Brunei Darussalam (JABD), Ryoma Quartet, Aikido Federation, Brunei Kendo Alliance, BJFA-UBD Chapter, BJFA-UTB Chapter, Brunei Darussalam GO Association, Bersatu (SSEAYP Alumni), Brunei Association of Japan Alumni (BAJA), Chef Yamane, Community Education & training Division (IBTE-CET), Judo Academy Sports School, JENESYS Alumni, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Karate Academy Sports School, Miyazaki Prefecture, Shorinji Kempo (PERKEB), Stain.BN, Soul Industry and Yamako Pacific (B) Sdn Bhd.

The 3-days event was filled with several fun activities, workshops and demonstrations which include Photo-booth, quizzes, speed eating competition, Children’s Manga Coloring Contest, Stain.bn Workshop (Graffiti), Japanese cooking demonstrations, Martial Arts Demonstrations, Japanese New Music Performance and many more. During the last day of event, activities included cooking demonstration by Ambassador’s chef, Stain.bn workshop, Study in Japan Sharing Session by Brunei Association of Japan Alumni, SSEAYP Alumni traditional dance showcase and Japanese New Music Performance by Ryoma Quartet, to name a few.

During the first day of the event, there was a Manga coloring contest for children of age 6 -9 years old and 10 – 13 years old. Prizes were presented by Ms Mally Hadini, the general secretary of Times Square. For the 6-9 years old category, first place went to Kaelyn Hiew Jing Xuan. Second place went to Farisha and the third place went to Nurfaezatul Adlyah Bte Hj Mohd Zaidi. As for 10-13 years old category, first place went to Nur Mahirah Binti Hj Dollah, second place went to Chia Xuan Lei and the third place went to Bahiyuddin Abqari Bin Hj Dollah. All brought home medals and prizes.

Throughout the event, there was also a lucky draw campaign where the prize presentation took place on Sunday (4^th February) at 7.00pm. 10 winners brought home prizes last night which included vouchers from hotels and restaurants. The prize presentation was done by the Marketing Manager, Lim Yee Liang. The first prize winner went to Siti Nuraqilah Binti Hj Abu Hanafiah who brought home 1 night stay at Starlodge Hotel. The second prize was won by Nur Muhammad Syafiee Bin Hj Adnani who brought home 1 night stay at Garden Sentral Hotel, whereas third place lucky winner went to Ivy Lin Siew Bee bringing home 1 night stay at Times Hotel.

Moreover, there was also a special guest appearance by Ryoma Quartet, a unique fusion band that uses traditional musical instruments to perform a wide variety of music. They performed during the opening ceremony and the last day of the event.