Events & Programmes Archive

AIと共に学ぶ作文教育：自律性と協働性をつなぐ視点 *Please note that information about this seminar is only available in Japanese. 【研修本編】  日時： 2025年11月14日（金）10時～12時 （中央ヨーロッパ時間)  　※この時期は夏時間が終了しています。お住まいの国との時差にご注意ください！  【研修アフタートーク】  日時： 2025年11月28日（金）10時～11時 （中央ヨーロッパ時間)  ※アフタートークの申し込みは研修本編にてお知らせいたします。    講師：李在鎬(り じぇほ) 先生 （早稲田大学大学院, 日本語教育研究科, 教授）  講師プロフィール：https://researchmap.jp/jhlee/     主な著書：  『AIで言語教育は終わるのか?: 深まる外国語の教え方と学び方』（共著, くろしお出版, 25年5月）  『社会の中のことば』（シリーズ〈ことばの認知科学〉, 朝倉書店, 24年10月） 　※第７章「ことばのコーパス分析」を執筆  『日本語学習は本当に必要か』（編: 村田晶子・神吉宇一, 明石書店, 24年2月）  　※第12章「テクノロジーは日本語学習をなくすのか」を執筆  『データ科学×日本語教育』（ひつじ書房, 21年11月）    講師からのメッセージ： 　第二言語としての作文教育は、これまでプロセス・アプローチやジャンル・アプローチを中心に発展してまいりましたが、近年は生成AIの登場により、大きな転換点を迎えております。AIは学習者に即時的なフィードバックや多様な表現例を提示し、語彙の拡充や文章構成の習得を支援してくれます。その一方で、過度な依存によって自律的な学習の機会が失われてしまうというリスクも抱えています。 　本講演では、まず第二言語ライティング研究の理論的枠組みを整理し、その中にAI活用を位置づけてご紹介いたします。次に、学習者の作文を評価する活動を通して、「書く力」とは何かという問題を考えてまいります。また、生成AIを用いた実際のシステムも体験していただきながら、AI活用の可能性と課題について皆さまと一緒に考えていきたいと思います。最後に、AIを排除するのではなく「共作者」や「コーチ」として取り入れる視点から、今後の作文教育における教師の役割や教育デザインの可能性を展望いたします。    共催： 国際交流基金 欧州拠点（ロンドン日本文化センター、ケルン日本文化会館、パリ日本文化会館、ローマ日本文化会館、ブダペスト日本文化センター）  形式： オンライン（ZOOM）  対象： 欧州在住の日本語教師を優先しますが、他地域からもご参加できます  -------------------------------------------------  お申込み：　こちらから　 ※締め切り：　2025年11月2日(日)  お問合せ：　国際交流基金マドリード日本文化センター 　nihongo.kyoshi@jpf.go.jp    みなさまのお申込みをお待ちしております！   

Are you planning your post-graduation career path? Are you interested in teaching Japanese in secondary schools in England? Would you like to get the teaching qualification to realise that ambition? If so, don’t miss this great opportunity! The Japan Foundation, London and the National Modern Languages SCITT will be holding a career information event aimed at potential applicants for the National Modern Languages SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training). This is a national scheme approved by the government’s Department for Education. It is designed to train successful applicants to become Early Career Teachers by obtaining a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). On this information day, there will be a presentation about useful information concerning how to find a job in the education sector by Japan Foundation staff, followed by a speech given by Mr Keith Faulkner from the NML SCITT about School-Centred Initial Teacher Training, where he will explain how to apply for this programme.   ----- What is NML SCITT? ----- The National Modern Languages SCITT (The NML SCITT) is the only national single-subject provider to specialise solely in the teaching of modern languages. The NML SCITT programme is a great opportunity for those who are looking to gain QTS together with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification. The PGCE programme is offered in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University, and comes with credits towards an eventual possible Masters-level qualification. Subject to financial factors, degree classification and residential qualification, trainees accepted on the programme may receive a substantial bursary while training; this is currently £25,000 (subject to annual change). The training year consists of practical training in school placements, supported by University- and centre-based academic tuition.   The NML SCITT has introduced a new pathway for training Japanese language teachers.; There is an expectation that trainees can offer Japanese alongside either French, German or Spanish in order to better find a placement, and to ensure that there is a possibility of qualifying for the bursary. The NML SCITT is proud to add Japanese to the programme portfolio. The Japan Foundation, London may also offer financial support to assist NML SCITT trainees (a maximum of £2,000). Please note that this financial support is not guaranteed.   Please note that trainees are required to have French, German or Spanish as a primary foreign language they can potentially teach, with Japanese as an additional language. This means that trainees will be able to teach two languages. ------------------------------ Date: 18:00-19:00 on Thursday 6th November 13:00-14:00 on Friday 7th November *The same session will take place twice.   To apply, please click here: https://forms.office.com/r/LgX6usYRaU Participation fee: Free (registration in advance is required.) Registration deadline: 3rd November Languages used: English. Online (ZOOM meeting)

This talk event takes inspiration from Studio Ghibli’s renowned film Grave of the Fireflies, a powerful story of war and loss. We will begin with a screening of the film’s trailer, using it as a starting point for an open discussion with both the panel and audience. Each speaker will then give a short presentation (around 10 minutes) from their area of expertise, followed by interactive discussion and questions from the audience. The talks will explore themes such as the intersections of art and war, the ethics of representing wartime experiences through film and literature, Japan’s anti-nuclear movement, the dynamics of modern Japan–China relations, and the role of nationalism in twentieth-century Japan. Taken together, these perspectives invite us to reflect on how the themes depicted in Grave of the Fireflies connect to broader questions of memory, ethics, politics, and international relations. Note: As with past events, video clips and trailers will be shown during the live session but may be omitted from any online recordings. This event is free to attend but registration is essential! To register, click below or scan the QR code! For IN-PERSON attendance, click here Or scan: For ONLINE attendance, click here Or scan:   Organised by The Japan Foundation London Hosted by The University of East Anglia About the Speakers Dr Ra Mason (Sasakawa Associate Professor, School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies) is an internationally recognised specialist in the international relations of the Indo-Pacific, with a specific focus on Japan. His work draws on theories of risk, security and social construction to understand the complex relations between regional alliances, states and non-state actors. He is also interested in wider questions about global politics and conflict. Dr Sherzod Muminov (Associate Professor in Japanese History) is a multilingual historian working with sources in Japanese and Russian, and is also fluent in Turkish. His primary research is in modern Japanese and East Asian History, Japanese-Soviet/Russian relations, the Cold War in East Asia, the post-WWII, post-imperial migrations in East Asia, and the international and transnational history of the Soviet system of forced labour camps for prisoners-of-war. Dr Hannah Osborne (Lecturer in Japanese Literature) is Japan Foundation Lecturer in Japanese Literature at the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing and the Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of East Anglia. She completed her doctoral thesis, Gender, Love and Text in the Early Writings of Kanai Mieko at the University of Leeds in 2015. Her research interests include: intersections between text, illustration and the avant-garde arts; gender and the body; and women's writing and translation in modern Japanese literature. Dr Eriko Tomizawa-Kay (Sainsbury Institute Associate Professor in Japanese Art History and Director of the Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of East Anglia)’s research focuses on modern and contemporary Japanese art, with particular emphasis on nihonga and Okinawan visual culture. She explores their roles in identity, diplomacy, and memory, and her curatorial projects highlight collaboration with artists, museums, and communities. She received her PhD from SOAS, University of London, and has previously held positions as Art History Fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellow at the Sainsbury Institute, Toyota Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, and Visiting Research Associate at the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts. Dr Nadine Willems (Associate Professor in Japanese History) is an intellectual and cultural historian of modern Japan, whose research interests include historical geography, early 20th century agrarian movements, the anarchist critique of modernisation in a transnational perspective, and the literature of dissent. She is currently engaged in a project that examines the personal accounts and visual records produced by rank-and-file soldiers who participated in Japan’s military intervention in Siberia between 1918 and 1922. She obtained her PhD from Oxford University.

The Japan Foundation London is proud to partner with our friends at the University of East Anglia on their upcoming lecture, Okinawan Crafts: History and the Present with Professor Junko KOBAYASHI (Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts). This lecture by Professor Kobayashi will explore the history and contemporary relevance of Okinawan craft, addressing themes such as identity, regional heritage, and sustainability. The work of eight Okinawan artists will be reflected on, exploring their historical context, the evolution of Ryukyuan aesthetics, the preservation of identity through craft, and the adaptation of traditional practices in the modern era. The lecture is part of the accompanying programme for the exhibition ‘Okinawan Kogei: Crafting Continuity and Change’ that runs from Wednesday 29 October – Saturday 1 November, at the Crypt Gallery, Norwich. This lecture will be taking place in person, but will be available via livestream. Date: Monday 3 November, 5pm GMT.   Venue: Duke Street Lecture Theatre, Norwich University of the Arts To find out more about the lecture and exhibition, click here.

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding a free, in-person Japanese language taster session, inspired by the Japan House London exhibition "Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs". Enjoy learning about the Japanese language while experiencing th ebeauty of modern Japanese design at Japan House London's exhibition. Date: 27th October 2025 (Monday) Time (the same session will take place twice): First Session: 12:00 - 13:00 Second Session: 14:00 - 15:00 Venue: The Hall at Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA Session Information Content: A beginner's Japanese lesson inspired by "Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs" (exhibition currently running at Japan House London) Lecturer: Aramaki-sensei Aramaki-sensei is a Japanese teacher with over a decade of experience guiding students to success especially in GCSE, A level, and JLPT exams. Friendly and passionate, they make learning both effective and enjoyable, while sharing a love of Japanese literature and culture. Their favourite character from The Tale of Genji is Oborozukiyo, admired for her elegance and cool. Eligibility: This session is aimed at young people, such as sixth form students or university students (aged 16-22). It is for those who have never learned Japanese before or who are at a very beginner level. If you are worried about your eligibility, you can contact us: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp Number of Participants: 30 people for each session Click here to fill out an application form Application Deadline: 19th October 2025, 23:59 Attendance is free but booking is essential.  Applications will close when this event has reached maximum capacity. Please direct all enquiries to: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp 

Is your school interested in starting a Japanese Club? Are your pupils or students interested in Japanese? Sign up now to receive a Japanese Club package (including teacher training) so your school can be ready to run a Japanese Club in near future! It can happen through this project even though there are no teachers who have experience about Japan/Japanese! Applications from more than one teacher from the same school are very welcome as it will provide you with opportunities to use what you learn through the course! (The course starts on 20th October, the deadline for applications is 14th October, 17:00) What we provide (free of charge): (1)    Teaching materials: “Kon-Kon! Konnichiwa Japanese Club” Material set about Japanese culture and language The materials consist of 10 topics for 30-60 minute club activities (KS 2-4) *Examples of topics covered: Greetings, Self-introduction, Food, Numbers, Festivals, Manga etc. (2)    Online teacher training course 10 x 1-hour online sessions * Please see the training schedule below. (3)    Support and advice for teachers running the Japanese Club The teaching materials and the training programme are designed for teachers who don’t have any experience of running Japanese clubs and/or don’t have any Japanese language knowledge. Details Aims of the online training programme: To learn how to use the set of materials. To learn basic knowledge of Japan and the Japanese language. To build a network of teachers who are interested in language and cultural education. Eligibility: Primary or secondary schools that are interested in starting Japanese clubs. Schools that currently don’t have a Japanese programme as a part of curriculum. Schools that have a teacher who is available to attend the training programme and run a club at school. * No prior experience of Japanese language learning and/or running a Japanese Club is required. * Applications from more than one teacher from the same school are very  welcome. * In case of a high number of applicants, those who have no or limited experience in Japanese will be prioritised. Benefits: to be able to learn how to run a Japanese Club for at least 1 term (10 to 12 sessions). to be able to learn how to use the materials. to be able to gain basic knowledge of Japan and the Japanese language. to be able to expand your network. Training Schedule: * Participants are expected to attend all the sessions below:    If possible, we would like all participants to attend both additional Tuesday sessions as well as the Monday sessions. As on Monday’s sessions, these Tuesday sessions will cover useful topics from the Kon-Kon materials. Every Monday (and two additional sessions on Tuesday), starting from 20th October, 16:00 to 17:00 (or 16:30 to 17:30). Please refer to the schedule below for precise dates. In total 10 sessions of 1h classes October:     20th (Mon), 27th (Mon) November: 3rd (Mon), 10th (Mon), 11th (Tue), 17th (Mon), 24th (Mon) December: 1st (Mon), 2nd (Tue), 8th (Mon) Venue: Online Language Used: English Fee: Free Number of participants: around 10 teachers Application Form *Please ask your head teacher or other senior teachers acting on behalf of the head teachers at your school for permission before applying.  Application deadline: 14th October 2025 at 17:00  Enquiries:  Language Team, The Japan Foundation, London, events.japanese@jpf.go.jp (English/Japanese)  FAQ: Q: I am interested in working at a school but currently am not teaching at any school. Can I apply? A: This course is designed mainly for teachers who are already employed by a school. You can apply but please note that school-employed teachers will be prioritised in the event of a high number of applicants.  Q: Can a teacher who is a native speaker of Japanese apply to this course? A: Japanese native speakers with no experience of teaching Japanese can apply. For those experienced teachers of Japanese, we are going to provide another opportunity in future to introduce the set of materials over a shorter period of time. Q: Can I get support while running a Japanese club after the training? A: Yes, you can contact us if you have any concerns. Q: Can I apply although we are not certain we can run a Japanese club this semester? A: Yes, as long as you and your school have an active intention to start a Japanese club in the future. You don't necessarily have to start the club before finishing the course.

  The Japan Foundation is delighted to take part in the UK tour of award winning Japanese author MURATA Sayaka, (best known to audiences outside of Japan for her best-selling novel Convenience Store Woman), for a series of enlightening talks on her novel Vanishing World, (『消滅世界』) now available in English. Vanishing World depicts a timeline in which sex between married couples is taboo, and children are born through artificial insemination. Known for her intriguing and off-beat writing style, MURATA's latest novel forces readers to examine the norms of the world around them, in this imagined dystopian reality.   Praise for Vanishing World: Makes the ordinary world as we see it look strange again... Publishers will continue to seek out imitations of [Sayaka's] vision - but why bother, when the real thing is so good? - Financial Times   An eye-popping plot... It invites us to consider how reproductive gender equality could transform society, with chilling ramifications - New York Times   MURATA Sayaka Whilst working at a convenience store herself, MURATA debuted Junyu, her first novel in 2003, for which she received the Gunzo Prize for New Writers. Despite her increasing fame as a writer, MURATA continued to work as a convenience store clerk until 2017, throughout which time she also received the Mishima Yukio Prize for Of Bones, Of Body Heat, Of Whitening City in 2013, and the prestigious Akutagawa Prize in 2016 for Convenience Store Woman, for which she was also named one of Vogue Japan's Women of the Year.

Applications for JaLaChamp 2026 are now open!   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 based on a set theme either by individual or part of a group.   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!   The speech category is aimed for secondary school students who study Japanese as a foreign language, while the video category is open to all primary and secondary school students including those who have lived in Japan and who speak Japanese at home.   The theme for the video category of JaLaChamp 2026 is 私(わたし)(たち)のおすすめのサンドイッチ ”My/Our Favourite Sandwiches”. You can let us know about your favourite sandwiches, ingredients and recipes or create a video based on a sandwich you think would be a popular item if it were sold in supermarket or bakeries. It can be something else, such as onigiri, sushi rolls, wraps and hamburgers.       From 2026, videos created by students in the video category will be made available on the Japan Foundation London’s website, allowing your work to have a wider audience!   The Finals Day is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026, in London. For JaLaChamp 2026, the Finals Day will be divided into two sessions: the morning session for Primary School Video Category finalists and the afternoon session for Secondary School Speech and Video Category finalists, with both sessions to be held on the same day.    For more details, please see the application guidelines below. Download Guidelines for Primary School Students (English)/Guidelines for Secondary School Students (English) Download Guidelines for Primary School Students (Japanese)/Guidelines for Secondary School Students (Japanese)   Application Forms and deadlines - Speech Category Application Form (Apply by Tuesday, 3rd March 2026 at 15:00) - Video Category Application Form (Apply by Tuesday, 10th March 2026 at 15:00)   Download the JaLaChamp 2026 poster

We are delighted to be bringing one of Japan's bestselling authors, TSUJIMURA Mizuki (known for Lonely Castle in the Mirror) to the UK in October, in celebration of her newly English translated book Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon (『ツナグ』). Much anticipated, award-winning novel: Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, originally published in Japan in 2011, paints the world of Ayumi, who has the power to bring back the dead to meet the living for one last chance at closure. Each reunion Ayumi oversees reveals clues through which readers can uncover deeply emotional truths in this intensely moving, heart-warming novel. These talks will provide a rare and limited opportunity to hear directly from TSUJIMURA, the author behind many prominent novels. Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon (『ツナグ』) now available in English, is supported by the Japan Foundation's Support Program for Translation and Publication.   Praise for Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon: 'Recalls early Murakami. An enchanting read' - Financial Times ‘A beautifully written novel about hope and kindness’ - Big Issue   TSUJIMURA Mizuki Born 29 February 1980. Debuted in 2004 after winning the 31st Mephisto Prize for A School Frozen in Time. Received the 32nd Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize for New Writers for Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, along with the 147th Naoki Prize for Kagi no nai yume wo miru (A Dream Without a Key) and first place in the 15th Japan Booksellers' Award for Lonely Castle in the Mirror. Many of her works have been adapted for screen, and several of her works, including A School Frozen in Time, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, and Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon, have been published in translation, reaching readers around the world.

This year's Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will take place throughout September and October in three venues throughout Wales. From The Colors Within to Summer Wars, the festival screens the best in Japanese anime and culture, featuring a BSL interpreter at Chapter (Saturday only) to reach a greater disabled audience. 

We're proud to co-present with the Royal Society of Arts, a special screening of documentary Drops of Heaven. Featuring TATSUMI Yoshiko, Japan’s legendary culinary artist and writer who is famous for “Inochi no soup”, (the “soup of life”) using natural and nutritious ingredients. Amidst stunning scenery of the Japanese landscape, viewers can witness TATSUMI’s philosophy on slow food and nurturing life.

This year's Japan Matsuri will take place Sunday 21 September, from 10:00 - 20:00 in Trafalgar Square. The annual festival is the UK's biggest celebration of Japanese culture and food! Don't miss out!