Sophia Noya | Staff Writer
Last Wednesday, the Japan Club invited all Panthers to sing their favorite songs at their Karaoke Night in the Graham Center.
“Karaoke is a big part of Japanese culture,” said Amy Cui, Asian Studies major and President of the Japan Club, “A lot of people go to Japan to do Karaoke. It’s very popular with the younger generation, and it’s a big event for our club”.
Cui explained that the club’s goal was to increase awareness of Japanese culture: “We focus on promoting Japanese culture to students who are either taking classes about Japan or interested in the culture. We give them experiences that they’ve never had before.”
Although hesitant to sing herself, she had a song handy just in case: “My go-to Karaoke song is Stay With Me! It’s a song that hypes everyone up.”
To raise funds for the club, popular drink matcha tea was whisked up and sold by the Japan Club board, with the option to add flavors like vanilla or strawberry.
A cup of Matcha served at Karaoke Night | Sophia Noya, PantherNow
The event had a large turnout, with singers and non-singers alike enjoying an evening of culture and music.
“I love karaoke, and I love matcha. My two favorite things in the whole wide world!” said Stephanie Ruiz, a Recreational Therapy major who debated whether or not to sing.“Maybe I’ll sing, if I’m brave enough,” she decided. “I’m just here to enjoy the vibes.”
Biology major Ben Deloso, on the other hand, was the third singer of the night. He performed a rendition of Midnight Pretenders by Tomoko Aran.
Deloso, who sang entirely in Japanese, said he used singing as a way to hone his language skills. “I’ve been studying Japanese culture, and I love to sing. I’ve been using singing as a tool to study Japanese.”
Attendees watch Biology major Ben Deloso sing | Sophia Noya, PantherNow
The Japan Club opens its doors to all who are interested in learning more about Japanese culture, but it provides a special community for Asian students on campus.
“It’s important to provide that community,” said Coco Horai, International Business major and Japan Club social media manager. “It’s important for Asians to come together and make connections with each other. It’s a tight-knit club,” she continued, “And I want people to see Japanese culture from a wider perspective.”
Upcoming events for the Japan Club can be found on their Panther Connect or Instagram page. The club usually holds bi-weekly meetings in different locations across campus.
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