Japan Recovery in Motion!
The Government of Japan has announced an initial supplementary budget of 4 trillion yen to be deployed in the immediate recovery and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake and tsunami affected areas. Temporary housing for disaster survivors is going up, and the newly formed Reconstruction Design Council is meeting to determine the roadmap for rebuilding and revitalizing these regions. Click these websites for more details.
Prime Minister's Office
Consulate General of Japan
Highlighting Japan |
Operation Tomodachi Success
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courtesy Ministry of Defense |
U.S. military forces continue disaster relief efforts in Japan. Representatives from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force recently described the progress of Operation Tomodachi at a program sponsored by the Japan America Society of Southern California. Consul General Ihara gave a briefing on the latest Japanese government efforts.
Operation Tomodachi
Rafu Shimpo |
Japan is on Track! Smooth Tourism Transit Getting Back!
Frankly speaking, the earthquake and tsunami derailed many trips and many planned vacations to Japan. The beauty and delights of Japan's spring season are unfolding as ever. Now may be the best chance in memory to enjoy a visit to Japan. Travel information updates are available here:
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Bunka Sai Japanese Festival
 Experience Japan through cultural demonstrations and food on April 30 and May 1 at the Torrance Recreation Center. The festival is sponsored by the Torrance Sister City Association. Their sister city is Kashiwa.
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Keiro Healthy Aging Summit
 On April 12, population experts, gerontologists, and more gathered at the Andrus Gerontology Center at USC for the Healthy Aging Summit. The event highlighted wellness as a key to global aging. Presentations from the Summit are available on Keiro's website. See photos on the Consulate website.
Consulate General of Japan
Keiro Senior Healthcare |
Sakura Matsuri!
 The Bowers Museum hosts its annual cherry blossom festival on May 1.
May 1: Cherry Blossom Festival of Bowers Museum |
Today's Kotowaza:
Masaka no toki no tomo ga shin no tomo
At critical times a friend is a true friend. At times of difficulty, one knows who one's true friends are. A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
Japan-related events for
Los Angeles & Arizona 
ENGLISH
JAPAN |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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Radiation Levels Diminishing
Gradually, radiation levels at the Fukushima nuclear power plant are lessening, and the situation is improving day by day.
Follow for more on our website:
Consulate General of Japan
The Foreign Press Center has an excellent roster of articles, both new and archived, with details on these positive developments.
Foreign Press Center
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is keeping a running blog-style report on these improvements:
IAEA |
Secretary Clinton Visits Japan
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courtesy Cabinet Public Relations Office |
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton visited Japan on April 17 and met with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and with Prime Minister Kan and Foreign Minister Matsumoto. She expressed solidarity with Japan and U.S. support for the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
U.S. Department of State |
Korean Japanese Family Celebration 
The Japan Korea Society will hold an event celebrating Korean Japanese dual parent families on April 30 at Higashi Honganji. In conducting their Japan earthquake relief efforts the society's leadership recently visited Japan. There will be a Japan earthquake memorial mini-concert at the event, which is co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
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Temecula Children's Matsuri
"Earth, Wind, Fire and Water," is the theme of the the Temecula Children's Matsuri on May 7. Temecula Sister City Association brings Japanese fun and culture to kids at Old Town Temecula Community Theater and Children's Museum. Daisen-Nakayama is Temecula's sister city in Japan.
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Watercolors of Keiro Residents
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Hiroko Muramoto |
Under the guidance of their instructor, Mrs. Hiroko Muramoto,students of Keiro Retirement Center's watercolor class express their artistry and wisdom through painting. Nine artists display their work in the library of the Japan Information & Culture Center at the Consulate.
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Kyoto Prize Events in San Diego!
On April 4, the Kyoto Prize Symposium Gala was held, with lecture events the following days. Dr. Shinya Yamanaka was honored for his groundbreaking research in creating "induced pluripotent stem cells," which are recognized as revolutionary tools in research and therapies for a wide array of diseases. More information here:
Kyoto Prize |
MEXT Scholarship Applications
Applications are available for the following scholarships: Research Student, Undergraduate Student, and Specialized Training College Students. Deadline is June 10. |
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Experience Japan through cultural demonstrations and food on April 30 and May 1 at the Torrance Recreation Center. The festival is sponsored by the Torrance Sister City Association. Their sister city is Kashiwa.
On April 12, population experts, gerontologists, and more gathered at the Andrus Gerontology Center at USC for the Healthy Aging Summit. The event highlighted wellness as a key to global aging. Presentations from the Summit are available on Keiro's website. See photos on the Consulate website. 
The Bowers Museum hosts its annual cherry blossom festival on May 1. 
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is busy with cultural events. For high energy, don't miss the Taiko Extravaganza on April 29. The Garden closes for the summer at the end of May. This is a good chance to visit! 
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center