U.S.-Japan Council Conference in Seattle
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Courtesy: U.S.-Japan Council |
The U.S.-Japan Council will hold its third annual conference "The Power of One, the Impact of Many" in Seattle, Washington on October 5. The meeting will focus on new and innovative ways the U.S. and Japan can work together, and the important role that business and social innovation plays in the ongoing recovery in Japan. For more information and to register please visit:
US-Japan Council |
JETs Depart for Japan
 136 excited JET participants left from Southern California and Arizona for locations throughout Japan on July 28. A simple but buoyant Bon Voyage Reception the night before was highlighted by humorous observations from Consul General Jun Niimi. "JETs" are contracted for one year as Assistant Language Teachers in the public schools, where they also share their American culture and learn about Japan. To read more about the reception and learn about the JET Program, please visit these sites:
JET Reception
JET Program |
Nisei Week!
 Join the festivities of Nisei Week highlighting Japanese and Japanese American culture from August 11 - 19. The Grand Parade on August 12 will feature the soran bushi danced by Hiragishi Tenjin, the winning team from the Yosakoi Soran Festival. Check out the website for Nisei Week events, including the Tanabata Festival.
Nisei Week |
Nakamura Tempei Benefit Piano Concert
 Pianist Tempei Nakamura will give a benefit concert for the children of Fukushima, who were victims of the earthquake and tsunami last year. The concert will be held September 7 at Union Church, 401 East 3rd St. in Little Tokyo. For more information check this website.
Reach Out to Japan |
Japan's New "Feed in Tariffs" for Green Energy!
It is widely anticipated that Japan's newly adopted Feed- in Tariffs for renewable energy producers of all sizes will accelerate green energy investments, with Japan positioned to become perhaps the world's second largest market and investor in the sector. It's big, big news in the world of renewables, and the details are available right here:
METI |
Wadaiko: Japan's Popular Drum Music
 Drumming has a long history in Japan. The music of the powerful drums is increasing in popularity in Japan and around the world. See the video on wadaiko on Japan Video Topics.
Japan Video Topics |
Today's Kotowaza
Hyoutan kara koma ga deru
 A gourd, horse comes out.
From a gourd, a horse emerges.
Something totally unexpected happens. |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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Tomodachi Tohoku students visit Southern California
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Courtesy: Tomodachi |
On August 2, Consul General Niimi welcomed to his residence 20 students from Tohoku participating in a program of the Tomodachi partnership. Sponsored by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the students spent ten days visiting the region, including homestay experiences in Carlsbad, a visit to the Japanese American National Museum, and a pre-game appearance at a Dodgers game. To learn more visit:
Tomodachi |
Los Angeles Nagoya Sakura Children's Art Exhibition
Children's art celebrating the cherry blossom centennial is on exhibition at the LELA Terakoya Gallery in Little Tokyo from August 10 - 18, with an opening reception on August 12 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Organized by the Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA), the collection of Los Angeles and Nagoya chldren's art will next be exhibited in the library of the Japan Information & Culture Center of the Consulate General of Japan from August 24 - September 30.
LANSCA Sakura Exhibition
Consulate Exhibition |
OC Japan Fair
OC Japan showcases elements of "Cool Japan," combining authentic Japanese traditions with newer cultural elements. Contemporary entertainment will be side by side with traditional, such as awa odori, kyudo, kendo, and taiko. There will even be a custom car show. Those are just some of the cultural events to be showcased on August 25. Who can resist Japanese food and drink!
OC Japan Fair |
Ube Biennale Sculpture Competition
 The City of Ube has issued a call for entries for the Ube Biennale International Sculpture Competition. The competition is open to artists from all over the world. Application deadline is November 9, 2012. Visit the website of Ube Tokiwa Museum for more information.
Ube Museum |
Harnessing Plant Power!
 If only we could turn that nasty CO2 into useful energy potential . . . but then again, plants do it every day! Developing industrial-scale artificial photosynthesis is an area of keen research interest, but reaching the energy conversion efficiencies of actual plants has remained elusive -- until now. See how Japanese researchers have reached this important milestone in the ongoing search for artificial photosynthesis right here!
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Unending Shelves of Manga!
 Unending shelves of all you can read! Manga cafes are a place to enjoy reading comics and enjoy some light food or drink. Today these cafes abound in the heart of Tokyo, particularly in the busy districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya, but can be found throughout Japan. There are over 1,000 such cafes nationwide.
Trends in Japan |
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
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JAPANESE |
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136 excited JET participants left from Southern California and Arizona for locations throughout Japan on July 28. A simple but buoyant Bon Voyage Reception the night before was highlighted by humorous observations from Consul General Jun Niimi. "JETs" are contracted for one year as Assistant Language Teachers in the public schools, where they also share their American culture and learn about Japan. To read more about the reception and learn about the JET Program, please visit these sites: 
Join the festivities of Nisei Week highlighting Japanese and Japanese American culture from August 11 - 19. The Grand Parade on August 12 will feature the soran bushi danced by Hiragishi Tenjin, the winning team from the Yosakoi Soran Festival. Check out the website for Nisei Week events, including the Tanabata Festival. 
Pianist Tempei Nakamura will give a benefit concert for the children of Fukushima, who were victims of the earthquake and tsunami last year. The concert will be held September 7 at Union Church, 401 East 3rd St. in Little Tokyo. For more information check this website.
Drumming has a long history in Japan. The music of the powerful drums is increasing in popularity in Japan and around the world. See the video on wadaiko on Japan Video Topics. 
A gourd, horse comes out. 
The City of Ube has issued a call for entries for the Ube Biennale International Sculpture Competition. The competition is open to artists from all over the world. Application deadline is November 9, 2012. Visit the website of Ube Tokiwa Museum for more information.
If only we could turn that nasty CO2 into useful energy potential . . . but then again, plants do it every day! Developing industrial-scale artificial photosynthesis is an area of keen research interest, but reaching the energy conversion efficiencies of actual plants has remained elusive -- until now. See how Japanese researchers have reached this important milestone in the ongoing search for artificial photosynthesis right here!
Unending shelves of all you can read! Manga cafes are a place to enjoy reading comics and enjoy some light food or drink. Today these cafes abound in the heart of Tokyo, particularly in the busy districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya, but can be found throughout Japan. There are over 1,000 such cafes nationwide. 
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center