Prime Minister Addresses United Nations
 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25. He reiterated Japan's commitment to making "proactive contributions to peace" worldwide. Read his speech text here:
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Two Japanese, One American Awarded 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics
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| Credit: Nobel Media |
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Oct. 7 it awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics to Mr. Isamu Akasaki, Professor at Meijo University, Nagoya, and Distinguished Professor at Nagoya University, Japan; Mr. Hiroshi Amano, Professor at Nagoya University; Mr. Shuji Nakamura, Profesor at University of California, Santa Barbara. The three will be recognized for "the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources," according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
To find out more:  |
Bringing Nagasaki's Treasures to Los Angeles
 Nagasaki Prefecture and the Consulate General of Japan hosted an event on Aug. 29 to celebrate Nagasaki's cultural heritage, history, culinary delicacies and tourist hotspots.
Nagasaki Prefecture Governor Hodo Nakamura joined the event, which included sushi and sake tastings. Read more details here: |
Welcome Back Reception for JET Program Returnees 
Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi hosted a welcome back reception on Friday, Oct. 3 for Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program participants who recently finished the program and returned from Japan. They were joined by JET alumni, Japanese teachers from the Japan-U.S. Training and Exchange Program for English Language Teachers (JUSTE), and members of the local Japanese community. For more information:
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Japan and California Join Forces on Electric Vehicles! 
Following up on a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding to foster cooperation between Japan and California on a wide range of technology issues, Japan's New Energy Development Organization and the State of California agreed to initiate studies on electric vehicle infrastructure deployment within California. Details right here:
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One-Man Kabuki Storyteller
Acclaimed Shamisen performer Kunitoshi Kineya brought his unique "One-Man Kabuki Storyteller" show to Los Angeles on Oct. 10, the last stop of his U.S. tour.
 As part of the show co-organized by the Japan Foundation and the Consulate-General of Japan, Mr. Kineya conducted a Shamisen workshop, explaining the history of traditional Nagauta, or "long songs". He then performed a compact version of the classic Kabuki piece "Kurozuka".
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Japan-America Kite Festival
The Japan-America Society of Southern California held its annual Japan-America Kite Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19 in Seal Beach. It is the largest kite festival in Southern California outside of Japan, drawing spectators and visitors from across the region. Visitors enjoyed such activities as a kite workshop, games for children, Japanese food, cultural booths and many more offerings.
For more details:
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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Check out our community calendar!
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
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World Assembly For Women In Tokyo
The World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2014), held on Sept. 12 and 13, focused on the importance of economic, social and political participation of women in society. This event demonstrated efforts by Japan to achieve 'A Society Where Women Shine', one of the main issues of the Abe Administration.
Top leaders and policymakers from Japan and abroad, such as Ms. Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), participated in symposiums and other discussions to explore ways to promote women's active roles in Japan and the world.
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L.A. Screening of "Kamikaze Girls" At Shine Weeks
As an official side event of WAW! Tokyo 2014, the Consulate General of Japan and the Japan Foundation joined hands to host a free screening of the film "Kamikaze Girls" on Sept. 10.
Consul General Horinouchi spoke at the event, highlighting initiatives in Japan related to women's empowerment. Read more here:
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24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in San Diego
 The Japan-America Grassroots Summit in San Diego held its closing ceremony on Sept. 28, capping off a week of fun-filled activities and programs for participants. More than 140 people from Japan, between the ages of seven and 82, participated in the Summit.
Coordinated by the Center for International Exchange and the Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana, the 24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit fostered friendships through homestays and other programs. For more information:
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| 2015-2016 JET Program Recruitment
Sin ce 1987, the Japanese government has hired over 50,000 individuals from 39 different countries to live and work throughout Japan while on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. Want to learn more?
Applications for the 2015-2016 JET Program are available. For more information on JET and to download an application, please visit the Embassy website here:
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Hello Kitty Galore!
 Hello Kitty will paint the town red with two big events in Los Angeles to mark her 40th Anniversary.
The Japanese American National Museum exhibition "Hello! Explore the Supercute World of Hello Kitty" will run from Oct. 11-April 26.
Or join other Hello Kitty aficionados by celebrating her big anniversary at the first ever official Hello Kitty Convention in the world. Hello Kitty Con 2014 will take place at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Little Tokyo from Oct. 30 - Nov. 2. Don't miss special exhibits, art, activities and other fun!
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First Annual Japan Fair Coming To Los Angeles
 Let's celebrate Japanese and Japanese-American culture this fall at the First Annual Japan Fair on Nov. 1-2 at JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo. Enjoy live performances, food & sake and other offerings! Come join us at this special event, which is being organized by Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Orange County Japanese American Association, and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.
For more information:
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Japan Foundation Call for Applications
The Japan Foundation is accepting project proposals for Performing Arts Japan touring and collaboration grants for fiscal 2015-2016. For more information on this and other grant applications, please read this:
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Notice of Annual Evacuation Drill at Two California Plaza (Consulate General's Office) on Wed., Oct. 29
The annual Emergency Evacuation Drill at the building where the Consulate General's office is located will be conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 29., in compliance with the City of Los Angeles Fire Code. All visitors to the consulate are required to participate in this drill when it takes place, as mandated by the code. The evacuation drill will be unannounced and can occur at any time during our hours of operation. Our office's operation will shut down during the drill.
Once the drill begins, all visitors will be asked to comply with instructions from consulate staff. Consulate personnel and visitors will walk down the emergency stairwell from the 17th floor to the first floor, to a park designated as a meeting place. We expect this may pose considerable inconvenience to the disabled, the elderly and those with small children. We kindly ask that visitors who may have difficulty participating in the drill consider scheduling their visits on a different date. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in advance.
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 Destinations:
Travel to Japan this Autumn!!
Japan has rebounded in tourism and affordability. Visit us and see all the reasons Japan is the place to visit this yer. Follow the link to "Affordable Japan" and get a glimpse of landscapes, food, inns, and events -- all in your budget.
Unique Museums
A Big City View
Fantastic Destinations
Up and Down the Coast
Special Events of the Season
Click links for budget-friendly airfare, food, inns and events.
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Introducing Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25. He reiterated Japan's commitment to making "proactive contributions to peace" worldwide. Read his speech text here: 
Nagasaki Prefecture and the Consulate General of Japan hosted an event on Aug. 29 to celebrate Nagasaki's cultural heritage, history, culinary delicacies and tourist hotspots. 
As part of the show co-organized by the Japan Foundation and the Consulate-General of Japan, Mr. Kineya conducted a Shamisen workshop, explaining the history of traditional Nagauta, or "long songs". He then performed a compact version of the classic Kabuki piece "Kurozuka". 
The Japan-America Grassroots Summit in San Diego held its closing ceremony on Sept. 28, capping off a week of fun-filled activities and programs for participants. More than 140 people from Japan, between the ages of seven and 82, participated in the Summit. 
ce 1987, the Japanese government has hired over 50,000 individuals from 39 different countries to live and work throughout Japan while on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. Want to learn more? 
Hello Kitty will paint the town red with two big events in Los Angeles to mark her 40th Anniversary. 
Let's celebrate Japanese and Japanese-American culture this fall at the First Annual Japan Fair on Nov. 1-2 at JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo. Enjoy live performances, food & sake and other offerings! Come join us at this special event, which is being organized by Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Orange County Japanese American Association, and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. 
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
