The Dodgers will host a Japanese Heritage Night to celebrate Japanese culture in Los Angeles on Tuesday with pre-game performances, a special jersey and more.
The celebration, which will precede their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, will feature Japanese-American talent both from Los Angeles and elsewhere, and honor members of the Los Angeles community that carry on Japanese culture.
Performances include Venice-based Koshin Taiko, which will perform with eight Taiko drums and a set by Tokyo-based DJ Crew. Guitarist MIYAVI ill play and throw an honorary first pitch, and J-Pop rising star Anna Aya will be performing three songs.
An installation in the Right Field Pavilion sponsored by Daiso, a Japanese household goods and grocery store, will showcase Japanese-born Dodger players, both past and present.
The event offers a ticket package for fans, which includes a ticket to the game and an exclusive jersey they will receive upon entering the stadium. The jersey’s sleeves display time-honored Japanese artwork, featuring koi fish and pheasant feathers. Its back spells “Dodgers” in phonetic Japanese.
Right before the game, the Dodgers will recognize Yoshiko Miwa, the 110-year-old Central California native who is believed to be the oldest Japanese-American in the United States, the second oldest California resident, and the oldest survivor of World War II internment camps.
The team will also recognize the Nisei Week Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes Japanese and Japanese American heritage by educating Southern California on arts and culture.
The National Anthem will be performed by Aisha, a singer-songwriter from Tokyo who has gone viral with R&B and pop hits.
The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by George Takei, the Japanese-American “Star Trek” star and Los Angeles native, who has dedicated activist efforts to Japanese-United States relations and human rights.
Find tickets and more information here.
