CHIBA -- The Force was strong with this city just east of Tokyo as "Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025," a major fan conference for the beloved movie franchise, held a preopening event on the night of April 17, with appearances made by special guests.

Joined on stage at Toyosuna Park in the city of Chiba's Mihama Ward were voice actor Daisuke Namikawa, who voiced the legendary Jedi Anakin Skywalker, also voice actor Toshiyuki Morikawa, who dubbed for Obi-Wan Kenobi, self-proclaimed Star Wars fanatic Yuto Nakajima of the Japanese pop group Hey! Say! JUMP as well as Kousei and Asei of the comedy duo Miki and astronaut Soichi Noguchi, who has been a Star Wars fan for over 40 years. Popular characters including Darth Vader and stormtroopers also appeared, igniting excitement among the audience.

Noguchi said excitedly, "While I was in space in 2020, I watched all episodes of season two 'The Mandalorian' there. The crew were all fans. Grogu's name was announced while we were up there."

At the end of the event, the guests and the audience yelled, "May the Force be with you," together, creating a unified atmosphere.

The global fan conference first took place in 1999 in the U.S., and has since been held 15 times in total in countries including the U.K., Germany and Japan.

This year marks the second time the event is being held in Japan, and the first in 17 years. Scheduled to attend include Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin, C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels and Rosario Dawson, the lead actress in "Ahsoka."

Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 is taking place in the Makuhari Messe convention center from April 18 through 20. All tickets are sold out, according to the website.

(Japanese original by Emi Naito, Photo Group)