
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
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
U.S. Marines perform Japan’s hottest dance craze, share video through official account【Video】