Japan's Response to New Zealand Earthquake
The Government of Japan announced the dispatch of a disaster relief team and grant aid to New Zealand for the recent earthquake in Christchurch. In a conference call on February 24, Prime Minister Kan expressed his deepest sympathy to Prime Minister Key of New Zealand.
Japan-New Zealand Phone Summit |
China and the Asia-Pacific
 What are the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of China, and what should be the Japan-U.S. response for the region? Japanese and American experts will find the way forward for Japan, the U.S., and other regional players as they explore every angle. March 8 at UC San Diego.
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Gagaku: Sacred Music of Japan
Music of the Imperial Japanese Court will be performed by a renowned ensemble of gagaku musicians, including sho player Mayumi Miyata, one of the Los Angeles Times' 2011 "Faces to Watch." "Glories of the Japanese Traditional Music Heritage: Japanese Sacred Court Music and Ancient Soundscapes Reborn" will be at the Orange County Performing Arts Center Samueli Theater on March 19.
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Super Taiko Concert
Renown taiko soloists and former members of
KODO, Hiroyuki Hayashida and Shuichi Hidano, will be joined by Jun Takada to comprise a super taiko, high-octane, trio. The Taiko Center of L.A. Ensemble will open the performance on the JACCC Plaza, March 5, 2:00 pm.
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Japan's Gov't to Fund Green Energy Projects!
On February 18, Toyoaki Fujita, of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) briefed Japan-affiliated Southern California companies on the new Japanese government programs offering financial support for large scale green energy projects in the United States. These programs present some interesting opportunities for getting qualifying projects up and running! For more details, go here:
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Japan Foundation announces furoshiki competition winners
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Designer: Karin Ueda |
The winners of Japan Foundation's second annual furoshiki competition have been announced. See the fabulous designs!
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Today's Kotowaza:
Nito o ou mono wa itto mo ezu
 Two rabbits a
chasing person, one rabbit can't catch. One who chases after two rabbits won't catch even one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Quick as a bunny. Faster than a jack rabbit. |
Japan-related events for
Los Angeles & Arizona
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JAPAN |
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Yukiko Matsuyama wins Grammy!
 As a recording artist in the Paul Winter Consort's album Miho: Journey to the Mountain, resident Angeleno Yukiko Matsuyama, won a Grammy award in the category of best new age album. Three other Japanese musicians won Grammy's this year.
Yukiko Matsuyama and Koto Yuki Band
Paul Winter Consort |
Ambassador, Consuls General and Japanese American Leaders Meeting
 Ambassador Fujisaki and Consuls General of Japan from throughout the United States gathered with Japanese American leaders including Senator Daniel Inouye and U.S.-Japan Council President Irene Hirano for a meeting from February 10 - 12 in Washington D.C.
To learn more, visit the U.S. - Japan Council website.
US-Japan Council |
Toru Takemitsu: Requiem for Strings
 Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, the Los Angeles Philharmonic pays tribute to Toru Takemitsu with a rare performance of the Requiem. Praised by Igor Stravinsky, the requiem gained Takemitsu international attention and affirmed him as the leading 20th century Japanese composer. Concert at Segerstrom Concert Hall on March 5 at 2:30 pm. Pre-concert lecture at 1:30 pm.
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3 Strings, Songs of Okinawa
Vocal and sanshin virtuoso Choichi Terukina, a National Living Treasure of Japan, will perform in this concert of traditional music of Okinawa at the Center for Early Education Community Center in West Hollywood on March 19.
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Hinamatsuri at JACCC
 Hina dolls will be on display at JACCC for
hinamatsuri, a special day of celebration for girls and
familes. There will be a kimono demonstration by the L.A. Kimono Club. March 6, 1:00 pm.
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Enough sunshine to power the whole world - Arizona!
 February 22 brought a study mission of Japanese companies to the land of 320+ days of sunshine per year. Arizona's solar energy resources are stupendous, and many Japanese companies are ready and able to capture this sunshine and turn it into green, clean, and increasingly cost-effective, electricity! Check out more details and AZ energy links here:
Arizona Solar Study Mission
Arizona Commerce Authority
Arizona Public Service
Tucson Electric Power |
MEXT Scholarships!
 Scholarship applications are now available for undergraduate Japanese Studies and Teacher Training MEXT scholarships. Deadline for submission is March 11, 2011.
Contact coordinator |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the famous gift of sakura trees from the people of Japan to the people of the United States, planted on the banks of the Potomac in Washington, D.C. Southern Californians are gearing up for it with 9 cherry blossom festivals this spring. 
What are the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of China, and what should be the Japan-U.S. response for the region? Japanese and American experts will find the way forward for Japan, the U.S., and other regional players as they explore every angle. March 8 at UC San Diego. 
Two rabbits a 
As a recording artist in the Paul Winter Consort's album Miho: Journey to the Mountain, resident Angeleno Yukiko Matsuyama, won a Grammy award in the category of best new age album. Three other Japanese musicians won Grammy's this year.
Ambassador Fujisaki and Consuls General of Japan from throughout the United States gathered with Japanese American leaders including Senator Daniel Inouye and U.S.-Japan Council President Irene Hirano for a meeting from February 10 - 12 in Washington D.C. 
Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, the Los Angeles Philharmonic pays tribute to Toru Takemitsu with a rare performance of the Requiem. Praised by Igor Stravinsky, the requiem gained Takemitsu international attention and affirmed him as the leading 20th century Japanese composer. Concert at Segerstrom Concert Hall on March 5 at 2:30 pm. Pre-concert lecture at 1:30 pm.
Hina dolls will be on display at JACCC for 
February 22 brought a study mission of Japanese companies to the land of 320+ days of sunshine per year. Arizona's solar energy resources are stupendous, and many Japanese companies are ready and able to capture this sunshine and turn it into green, clean, and increasingly cost-effective, electricity! Check out more details and AZ energy links here: 
Scholarship applications are now available for undergraduate Japanese Studies and Teacher Training MEXT scholarships. Deadline for submission is March 11, 2011. 
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center