New York City celebrates Japan Day with first-ever parade

ASSOCIATED PRESS

George Takei, justice activist and pioneering actor most famously known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the "Star Trek" series, waves to the crowd as the grand marshal for the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14, in New York.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dancers from the Japanese Folk Dance Institute, perform during the first-ever Japan Day parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14.

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A portable Samukawa Shrine, on loan from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, is carried in procession during the first-ever Japan Day parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14.

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Dancers from the New York Kimono Academy wear kimonos by designer Akim Funk Buddha, right, during the first-ever Japan Day parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Japanese-American Vietnam War Army veteran Takeshi Furumoto, center, salutes the crowd as he is escorted by Army troops during the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14, in New York.

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Stella Au returns a salute to Takeshi Furumoto, the lone Japanese American war veteran participating in the first-ever Japan Day parade in New York City, Saturday May 14. Au said, "I am saluting because every veteran that fought for this country is important no matter what race and color."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Japanese-American Vietnam War Army veteran Takeshi Furumoto, center, salutes the crowd as he is escorted by Army troops during the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14, in New York.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Paradegoers along Central Park West cheer at seeing George Takei, most famously known as Hikaru Sulu in the "Star Trek" series, as he serves as grand marshal for the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14, in New York.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

George Takei, justice activist and pioneering actor most famously known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the "Star Trek" series, waves to the crowd as the grand marshal for the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14, in New York.