Phnom penh: The Embassy of Japan, in collaboration with the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Centre (CJCC), the Japan Foundation Asia Centre (JFAC), and several other partners, is set to celebrate the Tanabata Festival 2025 from July 11-13, 2025, at the CJCC in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Tanabata Festival, also known as the Star Festival, has been organized annually in Cambodia since 2004. This event is part of efforts to promote cultural exchanges between Cambodia and Japan. The festival is celebrated every year on July 7 in Japan, commemorating the tale of two celestial lovers-the Weaver Princess and the Herdsman. According to the story, these lovers are separated by the Amanogawa River, known as the Milky Way, and are allowed to meet only once a year on July 7.
During the festival, Japanese tradition involves writing wishes on colorful strips of paper and hanging them on bamboo trees with the hope that these wishes will be realized. The event in Phnom Penh is expected to bring together people from both countries, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation through the sharing of this traditional Japanese celebration.