On August 4th, Aomori City held an exchange meeting aimed at interacting with immigrants.

Sponsored by the City Planning Department Cooperation Promotion Section, which promotes and supports immigrants. It is held regularly for the purpose of immigrants to deepen friendships with local residents and to experience the culture of Aomori. Hiroko Ito, who is in charge of the project, said, "I myself love Nebuta. Since I moved to Aomori and became a citizen of Aomori, I wanted people to participate and have fun."

On the day of the event, 32 people participated, including immigrants, residents of two bases, people considering immigration, Atsuto Tatara, Yoshitaka Aoki, and Taisei Higashijima of Aomori's soccer club "Rheinmail Aomori FC" and their families. After the staff dressed the participants, I joined the operation of the Aomori City Hall Nebuta Executive Committee as a Haneto.

For many of the participants, it was their first time to participate in or see the Aomori Nebuta Festival, and the atmosphere was lively from beginning to end from the stage of changing clothes. City officials and community revitalization volunteers guided the participants through the festival.

Participants commented, "Last year I was just watching, but this year I had a lot of fun trying out the Haneto. Next year, I want to participate in my own costume." In addition, a woman in her 30s who lives in Tokyo and is interested in moving to Japan said, "I participated as a Haneto and felt a sense of unity. I could feel the spirit of the organizers and the people of the group, and I felt that the locals are proud of this festival." I thought, I want to come again next year,” he said with a smile.

Regarding the future, Ms. Ito enthusiastically said, "The number of participants was the highest ever. I once again realized that the ' Aomori Nebuta Festival' is Aomori City's killer content. I received many comments that it was fun, so I would like to hold it again next year."