Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Delivers Keynote Address at APEC CEO Summit 2013
 From October 7th to 8th, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a dialogue between APEC economic leaders and leaders from the Pacific Islands,  as well as the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Leaders' Meeting. The Prime Minister delivered a keynote address at the APEC CEO summit. Read the speech:
 Conference Photos: |
Foreign Minister Kishida Signs Minamata Convention on Mercury
On October 10, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the Diplomatic Conference for the Minamata Convention on Mercury held in Kumamoto City and signed the Convention. Minister Kishida announced an assistance measure of 2 billion USD in total in the next three years,  in official development assistance (ODA). This assistance will cover measures to tackle air pollution, water pollution, and waste management. Japan also aims to help developing countries in participating in the Minamata Convention. |
U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference
 |
| Courtesy: US-Japan Council |
The fourth USJC Annual Conference was held in Washington, DC from October 3-4. Themed "Risk, Reward and Innovation: Opportunities for the U.S. and Japan," it convened top U.S. and Japanese leaders who discussed the long-term benefits of taking risks and innovative courses of action, as well as the significance of synergy among the business, government and civil society sectors.
|
Strawberry Factories Forever!
 A major Japanese firm is planning to start cultivating premium quality strawberries on a factory scale in the severe desert conditions of the United Arab Emirates in fiscal 2015, by using its technology to artificially control light, temperature and humidity. |
And a New Robot to Pick Those Strawberries!
 Strawberries are one of the most labor intensive agriculture products in cultivation, and if labor costs can be reduced, that means big gains for the farmer. See how one Japanese firm is deploying a robot that examines strawberries for ripeness and picks them with nary a squish.
|
Check out our community calendar!
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
|
|
Consul General Jun Niimi Welcomes Back JET Program Participants
 On October 11th, 2013, Consul General Niimi hosted a Welcome Back Reception for JET participants who recently finished the program and have returned from Japan. Held at his Official Residence, the reception was attended by 50 guests including JET alumni, Japanese teachers in the Japan-US Training Exchange (JUSTE) Program, and leaders of the local Japanese community.
JET Program Application Period Open for 2014-15!
The JET Program is now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 JET Program year, to be received by the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. no later than November 26th, 5:30 pm (EST). For more information and materials, please visit:
Inquiries within the Southern California / Arizona region may be directed to jet@ls.mofa.go.jp.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching, or JET, Program promotes grass-roots internationalization through employing college graduates to teach English and support international exchange activities at the local level across Japan. Now in its 26th year, the JET Program has hosted over 55,000 participants from 62 countries. |
|
Harajuku-Melrose "Sister Streets" Alliance Created
In the first such linkage anywhere in the world, at a signing ceremony on October 5th in the Harajuku district of Japan, the Melrose District and several Harajuku business associations created a "Sister Streets" alliance to work toward activities and events of mutual benefit. Stay tuned for updates on their plans! More info here (Japanese):
See L.A. City council Declaration:
|
Shodo Meitokai Calligraphy Exhibition and Workshop
 The Meito Shodo-kai presents an exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy at the Doizaki Gallery of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) on November 10th and 12-16th, from noon to 5pm, and on Sun. 11/17 from noon to 3pm. (The gallery is closed on Mon. 11/11 only). Additionally, a demonstration will be held in the gallery on Sun., 11/ 10 from 1 to 2pm.
|
Japanese Festival at Descanso Gardens 
Descanso celebrates the art and culture of Japan with this annual family-friendly festival. Activities are free with admission: Ikebana display, walking tours of the gardens, Japanese food, and a presentation and fashion show of kimono, and a taiko performance. The festival runs from 9:00am to 4:30pm on November 9th and 10th. For more information:
|
Travel to Japan for the Autumn Colors!
See all the reasons Japan is the place to visit this fall. Experience the explosion of gold and scarlet that sweeps Japan in the fall & visit one of its 19 World Heritage sites!
 Miyajima, one of the most famous places to see autumn colors. Follow these links for more info on these and other spectacular autumn sights.
Special Domestic Airline Fares:
Japan Airlines has introduced the "oneworld Yokoso / Visit Tohoku Fare" which offers unprecedented low fares to airports in the Tohoku region. Visit:
Click on "Affordable Japan" and see airfare, food, inns, and events--all in your budget.
|
|
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
