Kurdish residents in Japan celebrated the Newroz festival in Saitama, north of Tokyo, on March 23 to welcome spring and their new year.

About 1,000 people, many dressed in their ethnic costumes, participated in the event featuring songs and dances.

Kurds, who primarily live in pastoral areas encompassing countries including Turkey, Iran and Syria, are considered the world's largest stateless ethnic group.

About 2,000 to 3,000 of them are said to be living in Japan.

S/ Participant / It's great fun.

Meanwhile, Saitama city assembly members opposing the event came and disrupted the festivities.

The assembly members, who are critical of the Kurds, had been seeking the cancellation of the festival.

They clashed with police and event organizers.

According to the organizers, false rumors pertaining to Kurds have been spreading, resulting in hateful acts committed against them.

To deal with the situation, they asked lawyers wearing armbands to be present at this year's Newroz and put up posters banning taking photos for purposes such as defamation and harassment.

They expressed hope that festivals like this will deepen understanding between Kurdish and Japanese people and serve as a symbol of living together.