Move over, Matsui.

The New York Mets will hold its first-ever Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field on Friday, Aug. 27 against the Houston Astros, with discounted ticket rates available for all family and friends of the Japanese community.

Pre-game entertainment includes taiko drumming by acclaimed troupe Soh Daiko; a traditional Obon dance led by the Japanese Folk Institute of New York featuring dance participants from the Japanese heritage community and friends; the Spirit Award ceremony honoring those in baseball, the military and community service; and the national anthem sung by Japanese Hispanic American Kurt Sanchez Kanazawa.

Also attending the game: Mets pitchers Hisanori Takahashi and Ryota Igarashi, who both joined the roster for the current season after a decade apiece with the Yomiuri Giants and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Donna Tsufura, cofounder of Japanese Americans and Japanese in America (JAJA) and one of the organizers of Friday’s event, has contacted groups like the JET Alumni Association of New York to recruit volunteers to help publicize, assist with and participate in this special night, including the ancestor-honoring Tanko Bushi dance itself in center field. Tsufura said that this helps to fulfill JETAA NY's mission to increase the understanding and appreciation of Japan and its people in the U.S.

“Given that the funding for the JET Program [which has provided work opportunities in Japan to all JETAA alums] is at risk of being cut or eliminated, the Japanese Heritage Night is a critical opportunity for JETAA NY to show the value the program and its alumni have for Japan,” she explained. “Assisting us with Japanese Heritage Night will prove what an important difference JET alumni make.”

"The JET program allowed me to learn about another culture and language first hand, while living in Japan. During my two years living in Japan, I matured, learning responsibility and respect. I accredit a great deal of my current success to these years working in the JET Program,” said alumnus Kareem Hertzog, who plans to bring children from his mentorship program to Japanese Heritage Night.

“I truly believe that the discipline and hard work ingrained in the Japanese culture would prove to be valuable to the kids in undeserved communities that we mentor on a regular basis,” he said. “Having them participate will be highly beneficial."

Tsufura expects that the night will offer new introductions and education in the diverse culture of Japan and its related communities in New York.

“We will be videoing all aspects of the event, so JETAA NY's assistance and support will be documented,” she said. “One JET alum is flying into New York on Friday, and trying to make it to Citi Field on time to dance!”

The New York Mets present Japanese Heritage Night on Friday, Aug. 27. Pre-game entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. Game starts at 7:10 p.m. Purchase discounted tickets through Thursday, Aug. 26 at http://www.mets.com/japan. Sign in ID is JAPAN (in caps), password is METS (in caps). Reserved seats are $26 (promenade reserved Infield, sec. 508); $41 (Pepsi Porch, sec. 305); and $58 (baseline box, sec. 106). Group discount sales of 25 tickets and up receive scoreboard recognition. For group sales of 25+, contact John Hazelett at (718) 559-3046.

For more info on volunteering with JETAA New York, visit http://jetaany.org/2010/08/23/volunteer-at-japanese-heritage-night-at-the-ny-mets.

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