DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Descendants of the first Japanese colony, people who formed a community in La Vigía, Dajabón with the support of then dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, recently celebrated the 69th anniversary of their ancestors’ arrival in the Dominican Republic with the inaugural Dajapón Fest, the first Japanese Cultural and Gastronomical Festival.

The all-day event was held on Saturday, 26 July and Sunday, 27 July 2025 at the “Colonia Japonesa” park in Dajabón, and showcased the enduring presence and vibrant culture of the Japanese community in the region. Japanese art and crafts were exhibited, several original descendants were honored and the stories of the first migrants were told.

Listin Diario interviewed Omar Mukai, president of the Association of Descendants of the First Japanese Colony, who expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming public support. He emphasized...