Events & Programmes Archive

Why not learn Japanese language with Japanese art? Calling those who have never learnt Japanese before or those who are at a very beginner level! Japan House London is currently holding an exhibition of Japanese graphic arts. This bold exhibition bridges the worlds of fine art, commercial illustration and counterculture. The Japan Foundation, London will be holding a Japanese Language session linked to this exhibition.   Date: Thursday 5th October 2023, 18:00-19:00 Venue: The Hall at Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA To register, please click here. Fee: Free (registration in advance is required.) Registration deadline: Monday 2nd October The maximum number of participants is 30 people. Applications will close when this event has reached maximum capacity (30 participants) This session is for those who have never learnt Japanese before or those who are at a very beginner level. Session content: Basic Japanese characters, sentence structures, and some adjective vocabulary, etc. Lecturer: Ms Izumi Segawa Organised by The Japan Foundation, London Supported by Japan House London   About the Lecturer Izumi Segawa has been a private Japanese tutor for ten years and occasionally works as an interpreter for artists coming over to the UK from Japan. She is fascinated by languages and currently learning Italian, Ukrainian and Rapa Nui. She also has a passion for nature and her other job involves making nature-inspired art-work, mainly life-like models of moths and butterflies (Hachiware Art).

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival once again. 

The next JaLaChamp will take place in May 2024! * The Finals Day of JaLaChamp 2023 was held in July, however the JaLaChamp 2024 Finals Day will be held in May JaLaChamp 2023 Information and Results: Guidelines, outline video and our report of the JaLaChamp 2023 Videos from JaLaChamp 2023 Finals Day JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the speech category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the video category where students are asked to create an original video either by individual or part of a group. The world is changing very quickly. Technology is advancing, and nowadays if we have a computer or a smartphone we can send a message to anyone in the world. In a time like this, we should always consider the following questions: “What message do I want to convey and how?” Using the voice, the written word, visuals, design and more – there are many ways to express ourselves. It is important to be able to combine these different choices of expression to create a way of expressing ourselves that others can understand, empathise with or be persuaded by. We want to encourage students to share with us their thoughts and viewpoints, as well as show us their creativity in full and have fun challenging themselves by entering this contest and using their Japanese! We will be announcing more details including application information and guidelines in early October, so please follow our social media accounts and updates in this page. We look forward to receiving many fantastic speeches and videos!

You can find information on the programme as well as links to download an application form by clicking here Are you considering applying for funding but aren’t sure about how to go about it? Do you have a project in mind but aren’t sure if it’s eligible? We would strongly recommend that you sign up to take part in our Online Seminar and Q&A session. During this half-hour session, a member of our staff will talk participants through the application process, and then open the floor to questions and answers. We want to make sure the application process is as easy-to-understand as possible. This session will be held twice on 12th September 2023 (Tuesday) 1. First Session: 13:00 to 13:30 2. Second Session: 18:00 to 18:30 We will be using Zoom software. Once you have applied we will send you information on how to join the session. Attendance is free but booking is essential. If you would like to take part, please sign up 11th September 2023 (Mon). This seminar will be held in English but the presenter is a bilingual Japanese-English speaker. Please use Japanese at in this application form and at the Q&A if you would prefer. Fill out the application form here

Discover the world of Ninja! Join our talk with Prof. YAMADA Yuji and learn how the perception of these iconic figures has evolved over time using some cinematic examples.

Join this session to look into some varying perspectives and the joint ultimate goals of inclusiveness in the performing arts scenes both in the UK and Japan.

We are delighted to announce that the 19th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications! This contest gives students the chance to demonstrate their Japanese speaking skills, and to make their voices heard in Japanese. Successful applicants will be invited to give their speeches and presentations at the speech contest finals which will be held at King’s College London on Saturday 2nd March 2024. There will be fantastic prizes for finalists. :: Contest Aims The main purpose of the event is to improve the speaking and presentation skills of students studying Japanese as a foreign language. Through this event, we hope to promote Japanese language learning at higher education level in the UK and Ireland. :: Who can apply? The contest is aimed at undergraduate students who are currently studying Japanese as a foreign language at a university in the UK or Ireland. There are three different categories*:   *Please be advised that contestants are expected to choose appropriate topics according to the category to which they are applying. Please read the aims of each category carefully as they have been modified from previous contests.  1. Speech Category Aim: To discuss and/or argue a topic of your choice and offer opinions, suggestions and/or solutions.  Eligibility:   ·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard C1 or C2 at a university in the UK or Ireland including, as an elective, optional or other university-based language course.   ·       Those who have less than a total of three years’ residence in Japan since the age of six.   *      Five finalists will be selected. Application Deadline: Monday 6th November 2023  (15:00 GMT)   2. Individual Presentation Category Aim: To explain your chosen topic and to convey your opinion or message using PowerPoint slides. Eligibility:   ·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard B1 or B2 at a university in the UK or Ireland.   ·       Those who have spent not more than 12 months in total in Japan. *      Five finalists will be selected. Application Deadline: Monday 4th December 2023 (15:00 GMT)   3. Group Presentation Category Aim: to introduce a topic related to the U.K. or another country outside of Japan.   Eligibility:   ·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard A1 or A2 at a university in the UK or Ireland.   ·       Groups of two to four students.   ·       Postgraduate students alongside undergraduate student(s).   *      Five finalists will be selected. Application Deadline: Monday 11th December 2023 (15:00 GMT) *Details of JF Standard can be found here: https://www.jfstandard.jpf.go.jp/pdf/web_whole_en.pdf     Please see the links below for the contest poster, FAQ, and application guidelines for each category. URL for online application form can be found in the Application Guidelines for each category.   Contest Poster Frequently Asked Questions Speech Category Application Guidelines Individual Presentation Category Application Guidelines Group Presentation Category Application Guidelines   See videos from previous University Speech Contest Finals Day here.   Please email speechcontest@jpf.go.jp if you have any questions.      

Autumn 2023 Applications Now OPEN!  Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education in the UK. Please see the attached documents at the bottom of this page for more detailed information. We prioritise projects that fit into one of the four following categories: Category 1 - Newly Introducing Japanese into the curriculum Up to £3,000 for projects that promote the introduction of Japanese into the curriculum (or onto the main school timetable) at primary and secondary schools. This grant covers staff costs and the cost of Japanese language books. Projects may take place online or offline. Category 2 - Supporting GCSE or A-level courses Up to £3,000 for projects that support GCSE or A-level courses. Particularly, if schools/organisations require support to ensure a large number of candidates are able to take formal qualifications in Japanese, they will be able to maintain their project by re-applying the following year. This means organisations will be able to apply for up to a total of £6,000 over two years. (Please note that we do not supplement the salary of teacher(s) already hired by the applying organisation.) Covers staff costs and costs of Japanese language books. Projects may take place online or offline. Category 3 – New Japanese clubs Up to £2,000 for organisations that newly introduce Japanese as an extracurricular activity or enrichment subject. In the case of schools, this is even if this is not within the school timetable. Covers staff cost, Japanese language book cost, some costs for items contributing to Japanese language learning, such as origami and calligraphy materials. Clubs may take place online or offline. Category 4 - Projects that enable links between primary/secondary institutions and institutions of higher education Up to £3,000 for projects that strengthen connections between secondary institutions and institutions of higher education and create and/or strengthen networks among pupils, students, and teachers for the purpose of helping to promote Japanese language education in the UK. These projects can be aimed at both potential learners of Japanese and people who already are learning Japanese. This is a recently added category, so please contact us if you have any questions or would like to apply but are unsure as to whether your project is suitable. These projects may take place online or offline. Application deadline: 27th September 2023, 23:59 (Wednesday)   General Information document LPSP 2023-2024 Grant Flowchart Grant Application Form (Autumn 2023) We would be grateful if you could read the General Information document and the Grant Flowchart document before submitting an application.   If you have any questions, please contact info.language@jpf.go.jp Please also refer to the “General Information” document above for detailed answers to many frequently asked questions.     Related Event!    

Experience the captivating melodies of anime and games with KIKUCHI Ryota’s piano concert!

Attend TANAKA Kotaro's talk on DOMON Ken to discover the renowned photographer. 

Suitable for pre-university students in the UK, the Youth Challenge is a week long summer school which encourages exchange of ideas between Japan and the UK. The Youth Challenge 2023 will be hosted in three locations: Rikkyo School in England, West Sussex; Cambridge University, Cambridge; and UCL, London.   This year's theme is Resilience: "Our world in 2023 is experiencing diverse challenges, including natural disasters, war, the pandemic and economic recession. We need a society where it can adopt rapid and agile recovery from dynamic and unpredictable challenges. Therefore, we are confronting the topic of ‘resilience of the global society’ in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2023 this year, offering opportunities to every individual to consider what resilience means to you."   The programme is a great chance for students from the UK to meet high school students coming from Japan, to participate in cultural exchange, and gain valuable skills to prepare for higher education with the guidance of university lecturers!   The two-week programme includes:    --- University-style lectures delivered by professors from top universities    --- UCL Grand Challenge Workshop which facilitates teamwork, problem solving, and presentation skills    --- Social activities   Applications are now open but spaces are limited and may fill up, so register now to avoid disappointment!   For more detailed information and registration, please visit the official website: https://www.ucl-japan-youth-challenge.com/

Interested in Japanese culture? Learning Japanese? Become a volunteer for the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge!