A second staging of the One Love Jamaica Festival is scheduled for Odaiba, Tokyo in Japan on August 5 and 6.

This time  reggae singer Macka Ruffin and his YelloKings band is the headliner.

Stephen Josephs, Jamaica’s representative for the festival, said with Macka Ruffin’s inclusion, it speaks volumes to the authenticity of reggae music.

“The One Love Jamaica Festival is a yearly event held in Tokyo, Japan, which promotes the relationship between Jamaica and Japan. The festival explores  the deep-rooted history in Japan’s love for reggae music which originated in Jamaica,” Stephens told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“The One Love Festival will help in marketing Jamaican music to the Japanese public. The festival will also assist in promoting the relationship between Japan and Jamaica during the celebration of Jamaica’s Independence,” he continued.

The festival, started in 2004, is an initiative of One Love Festival principals and the Jamaica Embassy in Tokyo.  It is aimed at showcasing Jamaican reggae music, art, food, and fashion.

Also billed to perform are household Japanese acts Jerry Harris and Rankin Taxi. Last year Richie Stephens was the festival’s headliner.

Josephs said One Love Jamaica Festival was already held in May with Japanese reggae artiste Han-Kun Rocks as headliner. However, with Jamaica’s Independence approaching, something special had to be done to mark the occasion.

“Reggae is our common language and the festival will create a deeper understanding of our culture,” he added.

Jamaican-born Macka Ruffin (given name David McAnuff) has lived in Japan for more than three decades. He was recently a guest performer at Redbones Blues Cafe in St Andrew. His two-hour set comprising African Heritage, You Wa Nanishini Nippon Eh, and Press Along Jamaica was well received.