Overcoming Disaster -Arigato from Japan Concert 
On March 2 at 6:30 pm, there will be a free concert of music from the Tohoku region featuring Ondekoza and other performers.  The event will be at the Ahmanson Theatre of the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles.  The concert is in response to the outpouring of kindness shown following the March 11 earthquake disaster in Japan last year.

Sakura Manga Poster Exhibition
  

Tiana Wright

Starting in Little Tokyo, the Sakura Manga Posters will be in a traveling exhibition around Southern California. The first venue started with a reception on February 12 at the Terakoya Gallery.  The last venue will be at the Japan Information & Culture Center Library of the Consulate General of Japan from April 20 - 30.  Check the Japan America Society's website for more details.

Abeya Tsugaru-Shamisen U.S. Tour
To commemorate
 the Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial, Abeya Tsugaru-Shamisen will tour the United States to introduce American audiences to Japanese traditional music.  On April 9 at 7:00 pm, Abeya will perform at Zipper Hall of the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles. Upcoming information will be posted here:
 

Consul General Niimi visits UC Irvine  

Consul General Jun Niimi was welcomed to UC Irvine by Chancellor Michael Drake on January 27. Consul General Niimi visited 15 teachers from Japan who are in an intensive English teaching program at UCI's Extension Program.  Presentations were heard from students in the Global Viewpoint Lounge.

Today's Kotowaza
Yakan Konjou 
 
A tea kettle disposition.   A moody person.  One who changes from hot to cold.  A person with an unpredictable nature.

 
VISA

PASSPORT  

With Your Friendship, Japan Moves Forward from the Earthquake One Year Ago. Arigato!!

To convey our heartfelt gratitude for the support we received after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and the Japan Business Association of Southern California will hold a public appreciation event -- "Japan. Endless Discovery" -- on March 10, 2012. Come and find "your Japan" by visiting booths featuring Japanese cutting edge technology, delicious and healthy food and drinks, charming characters, traditional culture, and trending fashion and pop culture.  Meet and take a photo with Hello Kitty!

Cherry Blossom Festival Time

Cherry blossom festivals start in March. The first one is the Cherry Blossom Family Picnic Day at South Coast Botanic Gardens on March 3. There will be 12 festivals in Southern California this year. Check the Consulate's website to find out more about upcoming cherry blossom festivals, other centennial events, and a list of parks with cherry trees.

Cherry Blossom Centennial Off to a Strong Start! 

The 2012 Japan - U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial is off to a strong start in Southern California with the distribution of more than 1,200 cherry blossom trees by the Huntington Botanical Gardens. The trees have been planted at schools, city parks and public spaces. On January 29, the Sakura Centennial Opening, co-hosted by the Consulate, was held at the Huntington. Read more here.

Commemorative Sakura Plantings in Southern California

Courtesy: Keiro Senior HealthCare

Many Japan-related organizations received cherry trees from the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens at the end of January to commemorate the 2012 Japan - U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial. Cherry trees have been planted at schools, parks, and community centers.  See photos and read about it here.

MEXT Scholarship Applications Available! 
Applications for the Japanese Studies Scholarships are now available on the website of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.  The deadline is March 9, so please hurry!
 

JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA 

 
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs News