Second Supplementary Recovery Budget Passed by Japan's Parliament!
 On July 25, Japan's National Diet passed the second supplementary budget for fiscal year 2011 to fund disaster recovery efforts. The extra budget is worth nearly 2 trillion yen, or about 25 billion dollars, and will fund a wide variety of needs, from health checks for affected residents to regional grants for rebuilding. More details on recovery efforts will be forthcoming. |
Ambassador Speaks at JACL Convention
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Photo courtesy Rafu Shimpo |
On July 9, Ambassador Fujisaki spoke at this year's Japanese American Citizens League convention, held in Hollywood. He praised the contributions of Japanese Americans and emphasized the importance of recognizing all those who helped Japanese Americans during their internment experience, such as Governor Carr of Colorado. Consul General Ihara participated in a panel exploring the role of Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations at the convention's Nikkei Conference.
Rafu Shimpo
JACL |
City of Hope Hosts U.S.-Japan Researchers Conference
 Over a dozen of Japan's top medical researchers will join their American and other international colleagues at the City of Hope's upcoming U.S.-Japan Conference: Inflammation, Diabetes and Cancer. A prior-evening reception hosted by Consul General Ihara will kick off the 2-day conference, with a special reception theme focusing on the high nutritional and disease-mitigating benefits of traditional Japanese food ingredients -- which are delicious, as well!
See more conference information here:
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Peace and Humanity Day 
An anniversary event will be held August 5 in San Diego to mark the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, and to celebrate that for 66 years nuclear weapons have not been used. There will be a ceremony to send a message to promote peace for the sake of future generations. Paper lanterns will be floated to symbollically send wishes for people worldwide to live in harmony.
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Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial
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photo courtesy Jim Folsom |
The advisory committee for the Japan - U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial had its initial meeting to discuss ideas for commemorating the centennial in Southern California. The Consulate encourages organizations to plan and host cherry blossom-related programs and to plant cherry trees. All events will be posted on the Consulate website. Visit the web page for more information. If your organization is planning an event, please inform the Consulate at press@la-cgjapan.org.
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Wabi-Sabi: A Japanese Aesthetic
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Photo courtesy
Phoenix Art Museum |
Meet Chigusa, the pot that bears its own name. Learn the concepts of wabi and sabi and see how they are expressed through ceramic arts. The Japanese reverance for the beauty of natural materials and their imperfections will be discussed at the gallery talk at the Phoenix Art Museum on Aug 3 at noon.
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Today's Kotowaza:
Natsu no mushi koori wo shirazu 
The summer insect ice knows not. The insect of summer doesn't know about ice. We are familiar with our own area of the world, but there are areas of the world we are unfamiliar with. We are not familiar with the world as a whole. |
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR
LOS ANGELES & ARIZONA
ENGLISH
JAPANESE |
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Relief Appreciation Event in Los Angeles : Arigato
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles in partnership with community organizations will host a special event to express heartfelt appreciation to the region's individuals and organizations for their outpouring of support after the March 11 earthquake. The public event will take place in Little Tokyo at JACCC's Noguchi Plaza, 180 days after the earthquake, on Wednesday, September 7 from 6 pm. There will be musical performances, sake and foods from the Tohoku region. Everyone is welcome! The photo above taken, at the Sendai airport, expresses gratitude to the people of the world. |
Foreign Minister's Award
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Kazue Sueishi |
The Arizona Matsuri Steering Committee and Ms. Kazue Sueishi have been selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for commendation. The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups of outstanding achievements to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries.
MOFA |
International Manga Award
 Entries are being accepted for the 5th International MANGA Award. Hurry! The deadline is August 31. The International MANGA Award was established to share Japanese pop culture and to help promote understanding of Japan. It was created to honor MANGA artists who have contributed to the promotion of MANGA overseas. For guidelines click here:
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Bon Voyage JETs! 
Consul General Ihara addressed nearly a hundred new JET Program participants at their Bon Voyage Reception on July 22. Also in attendance were representatives from various prefectural organizations (kenjinkai) and many of the participants' families. For more information regarding this fun-filled event, click here:
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Nisei Week Japanese Festival 
From August 13 - 21 Little Tokyo comes alive with the Nisei Week Festival. The parade, the ondo, the sake tasting festival, are all listed on their website. Check out the many events that are a part of this festival.
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Electricity Conservation Keeps "Super Cool Biz" Fashions Trending Hot!
 With the serious economic goal of conserving electricity this summer, encouraging a more laid-back workplace seems to be one approach. To save on air conditioning, the target is for indoor thermometers to be set at 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Loose fitting kariyushi shirts, Okinawa's answer to the aloha shirt, are replacing suits in the workplace. See "Super Cool Biz" solutions, including a puffy forced-air ventilated jacket, here:
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Obon Schedule
 With summer in Southern California come o-bon festivals! And there are many! Check this page for a list of the 2011 o-bon festivals. Join the bon odori dance line!
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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On July 25, Japan's National Diet passed the second supplementary budget for fiscal year 2011 to fund disaster recovery efforts. The extra budget is worth nearly 2 trillion yen, or about 25 billion dollars, and will fund a wide variety of needs, from health checks for affected residents to regional grants for rebuilding. More details on recovery efforts will be forthcoming. 
Over a dozen of Japan's top medical researchers will join their American and other international colleagues at the City of Hope's upcoming U.S.-Japan Conference: Inflammation, Diabetes and Cancer. A prior-evening reception hosted by Consul General Ihara will kick off the 2-day conference, with a special reception theme focusing on the high nutritional and disease-mitigating benefits of traditional Japanese food ingredients -- which are delicious, as well! 
Entries are being accepted for the 5th International MANGA Award. Hurry! The deadline is August 31. The International MANGA Award was established to share Japanese pop culture and to help promote understanding of Japan. It was created to honor MANGA artists who have contributed to the promotion of MANGA overseas. For guidelines click here: 
With the serious economic goal of conserving electricity this summer, encouraging a more laid-back workplace seems to be one approach. To save on air conditioning, the target is for indoor thermometers to be set at 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Loose fitting kariyushi shirts, Okinawa's answer to the aloha shirt, are replacing suits in the workplace. See "Super Cool Biz" solutions, including a puffy forced-air ventilated jacket, here:
With summer in Southern California come o-bon festivals! And there are many! Check this page for a list of the 2011 o-bon festivals. Join the bon odori dance line! 
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center