
America tries a little “Love Dance diplomacy” for Christmas.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has just released a new video and it’s not as serious as you may expect. U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her fellow staffers have found some time to spread a little Christmas cheer and goodwill to the people of Japan by dancing to the recently popular Koi Dance (koi meaning love in Japanese) made famous by a Japanese drama series.
Kennedy (who is sporting a Santa suit) is accompanied in her merry jig by a cast of U.S. diplomatic staff members from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya and Fukuoka, and the U.S. Consulate General facilities in Osaka, Naha, and Sapporo.
▼ Staff at the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka doing the Koi Dance
▼ One guy at the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya also decided to have a go.
The Koi Dance comes from the “Koi” song that was made famous by the Japanese drama series Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu, which translates to Running Away is Shameful but Helpful, but goes by the English title, We Married as a Job! The moves were choreographed by MIKIKO, creator of dance routines for popular Japanese musical acts such as Perfume and Babymetal.
Online comments have included:
“If Trump does this I will donate 30,000 Big Mac burgers.”
“Thank God it wasn’t PPAP”
“This is awesome! This kind of surprise is great!”
“Let’s transcend boundaries!”
“This was one of my small dreams, to see a foreigner dance the Koi Dance! Thank you!”
The Koi Dance has generated wide spread attention with celebrities trying out the dance themselves all over Japan including Japan’s most popular male figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu.
What do you think of US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy’s dance effort?
Source: Hachima Kikou, YouTube/US Embassy Tokyo
Images: YouTube/US Embassy Tokyo



Sanrio characters Hello Kitty, Daniel, and Gudetama join in the new “Koi Dance” craze
US Ambassador Kennedy’s comment about pork irritates Japanese netizens
Otaku group gives own twist to popular “Love Dance”, internet can’t get enough 【Video】
Dragon Ball Z’s Frieza cheers on runners at Japan’s New Year’s relay race with Koi Dance【Vid】
Japanese fisherman becomes TikTok heartthrob, shares cute dance videos while working at sea
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
U.S. Marines perform Japan’s hottest dance craze, share video through official account【Video】