Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Message on the Deaths of Two Japanese Nationals in Syria
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a statement expressing sorrow and grief, following the murder of two Japanese nationals, Mr. Haruna Yukawa and Mr. Kenji Goto, in Syria. The prime minister condemned their executions as "inhumane and despicable," while stating that "Japan will never give in to terrorism."
To read his statement:
|
"Walk in U.S., Talk On Japan" Lectures
 A delegation led by Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki will visit Southern California and Arizona as part of the lecture series "Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan".
Mr. Fujisaki, who served as Japanese Ambassador to the United States from 2008-2012, and other delegation members will talk about Japan during visits to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Phoenix, Arizona.
To find out more about "Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan":
|
"Japan: A Reverence for Beauty" by Mr. Gil Garcetti
 On Jan. 21, Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi hosted a dinner with honored guest Mr. Gil Garcetti to celebrate the publication of his latest photo book, "Japan: A Reverence for Beauty." The featured photos focus on Mr. Garcetti's keen eye for the elements of beauty in scenes captured during his many visits to Japan.
For further information please visit:
|
Cute Character Bento Exhibit
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and the Japan Foundation will co-host a photo exhibition of the top-10 winning entries from the Cute Character Bento Contest 2015.
 
Looking for ideas and inspiration to create your own cute bentos? Come view photos of the winning contest entries at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles from March 13-28. Please click the links for more details.
|
Tokyo Auto Salon!
 The world's premiere trade show and exhibition for performance modification and customization of Japanese cars - and other global marks - recently wrapped up in Tokyo. The world's ultimate show in a burgeoning category of the auto parts industry. Check out photos of dozens of tuners, art & drift cars and all sorts of fearsome pocket rockets viewed by over 300,000 global attendees.
For more information:
|
Leading the Robot Revolution
 The Japanese government held its first meeting of a new panel focused on its goal of a "robotics revolution," a key item in the government's economic growth strategy adopted in June of 2014. Japan will make significant investments to support the development of robots for sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, distribution, medical & elderly nursing-care services. Look for a doubling of robot investment in Japan by year 2020!
For more information:
|
2015 Grant Programs Available in the U.S.
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles administers grant programs designed to promote Japanese language education in the U.S.
Offered programs include a Salary Assistance Grant for Japanese-Language Courses, a Japanese Language Learners Event Grant, a Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant and a Japanese Language Education Project Grant.
For more information, please click here:
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
|
Check out our community calendar!
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
|
|
Japan Prize Winners Announced
The Japan Prize Foundation has selected three scientists as winners of the 2015 Japan Prize.
From the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Dr. Theodore Friedmann, Professor of Pediatrics at the School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, was named for the prestigious honor for his work, "the proposal of the concept of gene therapy and its clinical applications."
The Foundation will host an award ceremony in Tokyo on April 23 to honor the 2015 Japan Prize laureates.
For more information:
|
Position Available: Program Coordinator (JET) at the Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles
Are you passionate about the JET Program? The Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles is looking for a Program Coordinator, who will be tasked with handling all aspects of the JET Program, as well as event planning and administrative duties at the consulate's Japan Information and Culture Center.
The deadline to apply for the position is March 4, 2015.
For more information:
|
Noh Performance: Be Connected "Tsunagu"
Mr. Tsunao Yamai is a highly-regarded Noh actor who has captivated audiences in Japan and abroad with the ancient form of theatrical expression.
Selected a "Japan Cultural Envoy" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Mr. Yamai will perform at the Clive Davis Theater in the Grammy Museum on Monday, March 2.
To find out more:
|
2015 Japanese American Leadership Delegation
Ten Japanese American leaders from across the country will visit Hiroshima and Tokyo for meetings with political and business leaders, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In its 15th year, the delegation program provides an opportunity for Japanese Americans to further connect with Japan. Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council (program organizer), will lead the delegation.
To learn more:
|
Japan Bowl of Southern California
 The Japan Bowl of Southern California 2015 will be held on Saturday, March 7 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The Japan Bowl is a team competition in Japanese language and culture. Since one-third of all high school students studying Japanese in the U.S. live and go to school in Southern California, Japan Bowl of Southern California promises to be one of the most important and competitive contests of its kind.
First place teams will be awarded a trip to compete in the National Japan Bowl in Washington, D.C.
To find out more:
|
Girls Day Festival in Tuscon, Arizona
 Celebrate Hinamatsuri, or the Girls Day Festival, at the Yume Japanese Gardens of Tuscon on Sunday, March 1.
The festival will feature a doll exhibit, origami dollmaking and other fun offerings.
For more information: |
Japan Airlines to Launch Kansai-LAX Flights on March 20
 Headed to Osaka? Japan Airlines will launch direct flights between Osaka's Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on March 20.
The flights will be offered daily, bringing Osaka and its surrounding areas a little closer to travelers from the Los Angeles area.
To find out more: |
Destinations
Travel to Japan This Spring!!
Japan has rebounded in tourism and affordability. Visit us and see all the reasons Japan is the place to visit this year. Follow the link to "Affordable Japan" and get a glimpse of landscapes, food, inns, and events -- all in your budget.
March is graduation season for Japanese students, a time to prepare for a new stage in their lives. The approaching spring also portends warmer weather and the coming start of cherry blossom season.
According to current forecasts, cherry blossoms are expected to begin blooming in southern Japan around late March.
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.
|
|
A delegation led by Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki will visit Southern California and Arizona as part of the lecture series "Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan".
On Jan. 21, Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi hosted a dinner with honored guest Mr. Gil Garcetti to celebrate the publication of his latest photo book, "Japan: A Reverence for Beauty." The featured photos focus on Mr. Garcetti's keen eye for the elements of beauty in scenes captured during his many visits to Japan. 
The world's premiere trade show and exhibition for performance modification and customization of Japanese cars - and other global marks - recently wrapped up in Tokyo. The world's ultimate show in a burgeoning category of the auto parts industry. Check out photos of dozens of tuners, art & drift cars and all sorts of fearsome pocket rockets viewed by over 300,000 global attendees. 
The Japanese government held its first meeting of a new panel focused on its goal of a "robotics revolution," a key item in the government's economic growth strategy adopted in June of 2014. Japan will make significant investments to support the development of robots for sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, distribution, medical & elderly nursing-care services. Look for a doubling of robot investment in Japan by year 2020! 
The Japan Bowl of Southern California 2015 will be held on Saturday, March 7 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The Japan Bowl is a team competition in Japanese language and culture. Since one-third of all high school students studying Japanese in the U.S. live and go to school in Southern California, Japan Bowl of Southern California promises to be one of the most important and competitive contests of its kind. 
Celebrate Hinamatsuri, or the Girls Day Festival, at the Yume Japanese Gardens of Tuscon on Sunday, March 1.
Headed to Osaka? Japan Airlines will launch direct flights between Osaka's Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on March 20.
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
