Events & Programmes Archive

Beyond Kanji Teaching 2022: Culture, Values, and Issues in Kanji Writing The University of Edinburgh's Beyond Kanji Teaching (BKT) project will be holding an online conference on 18th August 2022. If you are interested in kanji writing, education, and learning, or interested in learning the skills to write beautiful and easy-to-read Japanese characters, we hope you will take part in this free conference. Adult Japanese language learners studying Japanese at university or as part of further/lifelong education are also welcome. The project will start by questioning if it makes sense for Japanese language educators and learners to consider the language and culture of handwritten kanji characters. Through information sharing, exchange of opinions, self-training, and questions to experts, participants in the conference will re-examine the language activity of "writing kanji" in authentic contexts. Date/Time: (10th August - 17th August: Pre-session @ virtual venue) 18th August 2022: Main conference (live online) - AM (10:00-12:00): Discussion and Q&A session with speakers. - PM (12:30-14:15): 美文字 Workshop Cost: Attendance is FREE but registration is essential. Languages Used: The speakers  at this event will be basically using Japanese. For those who would like to ask questions in English, there will be some breakout rooms with an English-Japanese bilingual assistant. * Please click here to register for this event Registration deadline: 12th August 2022 (Fri)

Interested in Japanese culture? Learning Japanese? Want to help pre-university students shape their future studies and careers? The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge are looking for university student volunteers who can join our online summer school programme in the second half of August 2022 for one week to see the world through the lens of a top-notch design thinker. Volunteer roles: • Join and facilitate group discussion during Workshop and Preparation for Presentation • Be an active member of an allocated group to deliver a group presentation smoothly • Encourage Japanese high school students to communicate in English Dates: • Workshop—Tuesday 16th August • Preparation for Presentation—Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th & Friday 19th August • Presentation—Tuesday 23rd August Times: 9am to 12pm (midday) (BST) * Preparation for Presentation may vary slightly depending on the group  If you can participate, please email ujyc@japanatuk.com Website: www.ucl-japan-youth-challenge.com The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge is an annual summer school programme for pre-university students from UK sixth form colleges and Japanese high schools for cultural interaction through various educational activities and events held at UCL (University College London) and the University of Cambridge, since 2015, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Japan’s Choshu Five and Satsuma 19, all of whom studied at UCL in 1863 and 1865 respectively. If you are a pre-university student interested in learning more and attending this event, please see our previous post here: https://jpf.org.uk/whatson.php#1227 Or visit the official event website: https://www.ucl-japan-youth-challenge.com/programme-2022/

Online Talk Event Haruki MURAKAMI, Sayaka MURATA as well as Mieko KAWAKAMI have become household names in the UK thanks to the recent interest in Japanese literature. While more talked-about books from Japan are becoming available in foreign languages by riding the wave, there are also attempts by publishers to create a new momentum by introducing new voices; even if they are not necessarily from the mainstream. Recently the Japan Foundation has supported two publications; Terminal Boredom by Izumi SUZUKI who, as everybody in the know knows, has had a significant influence upon some contemporary writers and manga artists with her work during her short but radical life in the 60s, and Astral Season, Beastly Season by Tahi SAIHATE, a multi-talented writer who started off by writing poems. Despite a cult fanbase and the success of one of her poem collections The Tokyo Night Sky is Always the Densest Shade of Blue which inspired a film, her face remains mysteriously invisible. Both female authors were ahead of their time but were not necessarily in the mainstream of the Japanese literature world. Inviting the publishers and translators who were involved in these unique and compelling publications from relatively unknown authors, this informal online round table session will explore the reasons for and significance of publishing such books and discovering these authors in the context of the UK market and readership, while introducing the translation process and discussing whether there is any challenge in the process as compared to other literature.   Panellists Dr Juliana Buriticá Alzate, Literary Translator, Departmental Lecturer in Modern Japanese Literature, University of Oxford (Moderator) Cian McCourt, Editor, Verso of Terminal Boredom Helen O’Horan, Literary Translator of Terminal Boredom Taylor Bradley, Editor, Honford Star of Astral Season, Beastly Season Kalau Almony, Literary Translator of Astral Season, Beastly Season   To reserve a space, please click here.   About the Publications Terminal Boredom  The first English-language publication of the work of Izumi Suzuki, a singular figure in Japanese science fiction and a countercultural icon. The stories are punky, playful and alarmingly prescient. But they’re relatable too. Her characters struggle with identity, with work, with their relationships. Suzuki gives romantic and interpersonal strife the same airplay as she does societal collapse and the world beyond our own planet. The aliens in the collection figure as gaslighting boyfriends, and the height of technology is a talking chair that issues snarky and unwelcome commentary on your love life. These stories remain fresh, fun and irreverent. Click here for more information and to buy the book.   Astral Season, Beastly Season  The debut novel by Japanese writer Tahi Saihate. The story follows Morishita and Yamashiro, two high-school boys approaching the age in life when they must choose what kind of people they want to be. When their favourite J-pop idol kills and dismembers her boyfriend, Morishita and Yamashiro unite to convince the police that their idol’s act was in fact by them. This thrilling novel is a meditation on belonging, the objectification of young popstars, and teenage alienation.  Click here for more information and to buy the book.

Applications are now open for the UCL - Japan Youth Challenge! Dates: 2nd August – 23rd August 2022 (4 weeks, weekdays only)* Time: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm in UK time (BST) Venue: Online, hosted by UCL.  * Weeks 1 – 4 on Tuesdays are the main programme events and full attendance is required. Various lectures will be held on other weekdays. A minimum attendance of eight lectures is required. The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge is a prestigious annual summer school programme which has a tremendous reputation and impact since 2015. Pre-university students from Japan and the UK attend a series of university-style lectures on a wide range of subjects by academics from leading UK universities including UCL (University College London), and engage in UCL Grand Challenge Workshop. This year the theme is Innovative Enterprises for Sustainable Future. Suitable candidates will match the following description: You need to be a disruptive and creative thinker. You will tackle a challenge of building a sustainable business by applying ‘design thinking’ techniques. You will be discussing in a group of diverse thinkers and deriving your solution in the end. You also have opportunities to consolidate your understanding about SDGs and ESG through lectures. After this journey, you will be ready to see the world through the lens of a top-notch design thinker. For more information and to apply, please click here.

This event is organised for Japanese language teachers who teach Japanese as a modern foreign language or as a heritage language to primary school aged-pupils in the UK and Ireland. In today’s modern, diverse society, there is an emphasis on citizenship education. This time, participants will have an opportunity to take part in activities inspired by Nihongo x Citizenship Education and then exchange thoughts and ideas about Japanese language education for primary school pupils.  The activities introduced are based on improvisational games. Teachers can choose to participate face-to-face participation or online, with all teachers getting to experience the same activities. We are looking forward to your participation! ※日本語の案内は添付のチラシをご覧ください。 -       Date and Time:  30th July 2022 (Saturday), 13:00-15:30 -       Venue: Face-to-face Participation: Warren Centre (Add: Basement 1-8, Suffolk House, Whitfield Place, London, W1T 5JU)                   Access: Warren Street Station (3 min by foot)                 Euston Square Station (6 min by foot) / London Euston Station (10 min by foot) Online Participation: Zoom online meeting                 A link will be sent to participants before the event. * Note: Please note that depending on changes in circumstances, such as developments in the situation with COVID-19 or a decision made by the organisers for other reasons, the event may be held entirely online. -          Programme:        (1) Language activities workshop and reflection (2) Social gathering   -          Facilitator: OFUNE Chisato (Chief Japanese language Advisor, The Japan Foundation, London) -          Spoken Languages: Japanese and English (*Japanese will mainly be used during the workshop, but English will also be used. During the social gathering, there will be an English-language group will be made.)   -          Target Audience: Japanese language teachers who teach primary school-aged pupils in the UK and Ireland   -          Maximum Number of Participants: 20 (in-person venue). There is no upper limit for online participation.   To apply, please click here to fill out an application form Application deadline: 18th July 2022 (Monday), 10:00AM   -          Venue rules (for face-to-face participants): -               Smoking is not permitted at the venue. -               There is no car park or place to park bicycles. -               No pets except guide dogs.   -          Beverages will be provided free of charge at the in-person venue.  

  The Japan Foundation in Europe (Cologne, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome offices) will be co-organising an online seminar and workshop titled: “Reconsidering Japanese Language Education for Children”.   ·         Date/Time: 17th July (Sunday),   9:00-12:00 (BST/Western European Summer Time) 10:00-13:00 (Central European Summer Time) ·         Application Deadline: 10th July (Sunday), 11:00 BST/Western European Summer Time                                                                                   12:00 Central European Summer Time)   Please find the event details below: *Please note that only information in Japanese is available as the seminar will be conducted in Japanese. Thank you for your understanding.   Enquiries: The Japan Cultural Institute in Cologne: kurse@jki.de (Japanese) Japan Foundation, London enquiries: events.japanese@jpf.org.uk (Japanese / English) ---   日本語教師研修会（レクチャー＆ワークショップ）をオンラインにて開催いたします。   今回のテーマは「子どもの日本語教育」です。   今回の研修については、日本語教育通信2月号の記事をご覧ください。 「子どもの日本語教育」の再考　https://www.jpf.go.jp/j/project/japanese/teach/tsushin/reserch/202202.html 　　   今回の研修会は、日本語教師の方を対象に行います。 子どもの日本語教育、継承日本語教育にすでに関わっていらっしゃる先生だけでなく、この分野の日本語教育にご関心のある先生もぜひご参加ください。 レクチャーのみの参加も可能です。ワークショップは席に限りがありますので、お早めにお申し込みをお願いいたします。   ·         テーマ：　「子どもの日本語教育」の再考 ·         講　師：　佐藤郡衛　（国際交流基金日本語国際センター所長） ·         日　時：　2022年7月17日（日）9:00-12:00 (英国夏時間／西ヨーロッパ夏時間) 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　10:00-13:00（中央ヨーロッパ夏時間） ·         定　員：　講演500名、ワークショップ90名 ※ワークショップの参加者は欧州在住の「子どもの日本語教育」に携わっている方を優先します。尚、ワークショップのみの参加はできません。 対　象：　日本語教師   【セミナー内容】 （１）講演「子どもの日本語教育」の再考　（90分） （２）ワークショップ「なんちゃってオープンダイアローグ体験」 (70分)   【参加申込】　締切：7月10日（日）11:00（英国夏時間／西ヨーロッパ夏時間）12:00 (中央ヨーロッパ夏時間) https://forms.office.com/r/HtZzUUzmEf　　　   【問い合わせ先】  　国際交流基金ケルン日本文化会館 日本語チーム kurse@jki.de （日本語）    国際交流基金ロンドン日本文化センター events.japanese@jpf.org.uk （日・英）     ポスターダウンロード  

Brand-New Event! Japanese Video Championship for Young Learners UK   This is a brand-new event for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese in the UK organized by the Japan Foundation, London.   The world is currently changing very quickly. Technology is advancing, and nowadays if you have a computer or a smartphone you can send a message to anyone in the world. In a time like this, we should always have the following questions in our mind: “What message do I want to convey and how?” It is important for us to deliver messages clearly and easily for others to understand. This event is a contest for young Japanese learners in the UK to use their Japanese and make a video on a topic provided. You can apply individually or as part of a group.   You can make your video in whatever style you prefer. Show us your creativity in full and have fun making the video!   Finals day will take place on 9th July 2022 (Saturday).   Eligibility: ・Primary and secondary school students studying Japanese in the UK may enter individually or as part of a group. However, one person cannot participate in multiple group videos, or one person cannot submit both an individual video and a group video. ・Students studying Japanese outside of school, students who have lived in Japan in the past, and students who speak Japanese at home can all apply.   Categories and Theme of the Video: [Primary School]  - Japanese level: A1-A2 Level of standard for Japanese-language Education /CEFR  - Theme: My/Our School  - Length of Video: Aprrox. one minute   [Secondary School Category 1] - Japanese level: A1-A2 Level of standard for Japanese-language Education /CEFR  - Theme: My/Our Favourite Place  - Length of Video: 1.5 to 2.5 minutes   [Secondary School Category 2] - Japanese level: B1 Level of standard for Japanese-language Education /CEFR  - Theme: “Japan” in the United Kingdom  - Length of Video: 2.5 to 3.5 minutes   * To find out more details, please download the Application Guideline at the bottom of this event listing.     Please read the information carefully before applying. * You can also refer to the “Video Creation Hints for secondary school categories” document below for brainstorming on the theme. * Sample video will be available in near future!   The closing date for applications: 3rd May 2022 (Tuesday) 23:59 GMT   How to apply: ・ Please download the Consent form listed below and get your parent/s or guardian/s to sign it. ・ Upload your video to a cloud service (such as OneDrive or Google Drive) and let your Japanese teacher know the URL. ・Teachers should then fill out the following application form:   ＜https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JaViChamp＞   Download Materials: Application Guideline (PDF 339KB)  Video Creation Hints for Secondary School Categories Consent form (Word) FAQ (PDF)    Contact: The Japan Foundation, London E-mail： speechcontest@jpf.org.uk Tel： 020 7492 6570

Save the date! The Finals Day of JaViChamp Japanese Video Championship for Young Learners UK will take place online on 9th July 2022 (Saturday). Check this page for more updates - Coming Soon!

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test which evaluates and certifies the Japanese-language proficiency of non-native speakers of Japanese. The next JLPT will take place on Sunday 3rd July 2022, at two locations in the UK: London (SOAS University of London), and Leicester (University of Leicester). To register to take the exam, please visit the websites of the test centres: SOAS University of London University of Leicester Applications at both test centres have now closed due to reaching maximum capacity. We apologise for any disappointment caused. For more information about the test, please visit the JLPT website.

  Beyond Kanji Teaching: Culture, Values, And Issues in Kanji Writing   The University of Edinburgh’s Beyond Kanji Teaching (BKT) project is looking for video submissions from students studying Japanese outside of Japan on the theme of: “Show & Tell Video: My favourite kanji” The Japan Foundation, London is proud to be providing funding for this event.   Students who submit videos will be receive their name written in beautiful calligraphy by Kimiko Hagiwara, who teaches as part of the “Let’s Write Beautiful Calligraphy” workshop. They will also get an opportunity to ask a specialist in kanji teaching when they submit their application forms and will receive an individual e-mail response.   Name of Organisation: Beyond Kanji Teaching (BKT) Project at the University of Edinburgh Sponsors: The Japan Foundation, The Japan Society of Scotland Video Theme: “Show & Tell Video: My favourite kanji!” / 一番好きな感じを書いてみんなに伝えよう！ Eligibility: Kanji learners studying at overseas educational institutions (primary, secondary, and university students; and at Japanese schools or further/adult education institutions). Application Fee: None Length of video: Between 1 and 3 minutes. Application Period: Please submit your application form within either of the following two application periods: Application Period 1: 27th June 2022 (Mon) – 5th July 2022 (Mon) Application Period 2: 27th July (Wed) – 3rd August (Wed) The final possible application date is 3rd August.  The videos will be made available to view online at the BKT Project Online Venue from 10th August 2022 (Wed) to 17th August 2022 (Wed). Applicants will be given a private link they can use to view the videos. For more information, please see the Application Guidelines: ENG 英語 / JP日本語 You can access the application form by clicking here. Enquiries: Dr Yoko Matsumoto-Sturt (BKT2022 Project Representative) yoko.matsumoto-sturt@ed.ac.uk *The subject of your e-mail should be “BKT2022動画投稿の問い合わせ    

Celebrated Japanese choreographer Saburo Teshigawara returns to The Coronet Theatre with the UK premiere of Tristan and Isolde.

You can find information on the programme as well as links to download an application form here:  https://jpf.org.uk/whatson.php#1222 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 30th May 2022 (Mon) 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. If you would like to take part, please sign up 26th May (Thur) Apply for a place for Session 1 by filling out our Eventbrite Form here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/343070000607 Apply for a place for Session 2 by filling out our Eventbrite Form here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/343073791947 If you are unable to attend either session but are still interested in applying, please do not worry! We will be making a recording of the first part of the seminar (explanation of application process) and uploading it to our Youtube channel.