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Otakon to Host Japanese Cultural Writer Takamasa Sakurai
posted on by Rae First
Otakon announced author and pop culture diplomat Takamasa Sakurai as a guest of honor at its August 9-11 event in Baltimore, Maryland. Sakurai is most famous as the author of books such as the Anime Bunka Gaikō (Anime Culture Diplomacy) and Sekai Kawaii Kakumei (World Kawaii Revolution), and for taking part in the establishment of "Kawaii Ambassadors" — three Japanese girls who offer lectures on Japanese fashion at such events as Bangkok's Japan Festa and Paris's Japan Expo. He is also a columnist for Looking East in Daily Yomiuri and has contributed columns to various publications such as ASCII Weekly Magazine.
Sakurai has toured around the world researching the global impact of Japanese popular culture. His travels have taken him to such locations as France, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Russia, and Brazil. As a pop-culture diplomat, Sakurai has been involved in seminars and fashion shows in 24 different countries.
Sakurai joins previously announced guests composer Yoko Kanno, hip-hop group Home Made Kazoku, singer T.M. Revolution, and MADHOUSE anime studio founder Masao Maruyama. Otakon has also announced Sword Art Online character designers and animators Shingo Adachi and Tetsuya Kawakami as guests. The convention is hosting voice actress Maile Flanagan and voice actor Vic Mignogna. The convention is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
