Events & Programmes Archive

RIBA, in partnership with the Japan Foundation, will host a lecture by the 2014 Pritzker Prize Laureate Shigeru Ban. Speaking for the first time in the UK for seven years, Shigeru Ban will discuss his work with disaster relief projects through the NGO, Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN), established by the architect in 1995 and other projects built worldwide. His 2015 Nepal Project is currently on display in the 'Creation from Catastrophe' exhibition. The project demonstrates Ban’s unique approach to rebuilding after disasters using sustainable and vernacular building techniques and materials such as paper tubes, bamboo and brick rubble. Born in Tokyo in 1957, Shigeru Ban graduated from the Cooper Union and started working for Arata Isozaki & Associates in 1982. He founded Shigeru Ban Architects in 1985 and became consultant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1995.

The Japan Foundation, in collaboration with Kobe University, is delighted to present this special seminar exploring the rise of female entrepreneurship in Japan.

An exclusive opportunity for Japanese language learners to use their language skills to talk with Yuki Tanada, considered one of Japan’s most talented filmmakers!

The Japan Foundation will be at London Anime & Gaming Con on Saturday February 6th 2016. Visit our stand for information about studying Japanese, freebies and the chance to enter our quiz and win some great prizes! What's more, we will be giving a short Japanese taster session and a presentation on the resources and support available for Japanese language learners. The convention runs for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but Japan Foundation will be there on the Saturday only, so don’t miss us!  Booking details and more information about the convention, which is organised by Anime League, can be found on the official website, www.londonanimecon.com. 

Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s iconic 1952 film Ikiru, this year's programme will provide an exciting collection of films looking at the way in which Japanese filmmakers have been observing and capturing people’s lives

This workshop aims to assist the development of the next generation of Japanese specialists here in the UK

In this illustrated talk the Rev. Kakuho Aoe, a monk at Ryokusenji Temple in Tokyo, Japan will discuss the characteristics and history of otera gohan, or 'temple food'.

Destruction and devastation present unique opportunities to radically rethink our environment. This exhibition explores the varying ways that cities and communities have been re-imagined in the aftermath of natural or man-made exhibitions. Among the exhibition’s case studies, a number of Japanese architects and movements will be represented including the Metabolism movement showcasing works by Arata Isozaki, Kenzo Tange and Kisho Kurokawa, as well as 21st century solutions, such as the Homes-For-All project instigated by Toyo Ito and Shigeru Ban’s Nepal project from 2015.

A leading figure in Japanese experimental filmmaking, Takashi Makino will present a selection of his recent works, as well as those by some of his contemporaries from the Tokyo-based [+] collective. Incorporating CREAM SCREENS, this pair of screenings forms part of Makino’s first international solo exhibition Cosmos: Takashi Makino which runs from 22 January – 21 February 2016 at London Gallery West.

Throwing Shadows celebrates remarkable and little seen works by Japanese artists who worked with film, performance and projection in the age of pop. This event series, presented in partnership with Tate Modern, features artists Keiichi Tanaami and Toshio Matsumoto, as well as the first solo presentations in Europe of the films and performances of Junichi Okuyama and Rikuro Miyai.

  J-Basic Online for Teachers will close on 30 June 2016. Applications for all stages will be accepted until 31 March 2016 J-Basic Online for Teachers, the online course for teachers with a basic level of Japanese will close permanently on 30 June 2016. Applications for all stages will be accepted until 31 March 2016. About J-Basic This online course is for teachers with a basic level of Japanese who would like to build up their language skills. Through the course, you will develop a basic working knowledge of Japanese grammatical structures and build up your confidence and skills in using Japanese effectively in your classroom.  This course is provided by the Japan Foundation Sydney. Course fee:  A$130 - A$190  Who can sign up? Any teacher residing in the UK, Australia or New Zealand who has a basic knowledge of Japanese, and can read hiragana and katakana. What level of Japanese is it suitable for? Four stages are available. We recommend you take the “level check test” to make sure you choose the best level for you. Stage 1 (the easiest) is suitable for those who know hiragana and katakana.  Stage 4 (the hardest) is about the same level at N5 (old Level 4) of the JLPT. How does the course work? Every week a new unit is uploaded. You will work through the unit at your own pace, and then complete your homework by the end of each week. Your homework will be marked and returned to you with helpful advice and comments from our Japanese Language Advisor.  Feedback from previous participants: “I have really enjoyed it, the course content is useful as covers all areas of the Japanese language i.e. speaking, listening, reading, writing – lots of writing practice which is a challenge but good practice!” “I really, really like the Production task, especially as you get some prompt feedback from the Language Advisor. Brilliant!” There are no "terms" for this year's course, you can enrol any time, but please remember that enrolment on this course will close indefinitely on March 31st, so don't miss this one finalchance to join. Click here for more information and to enrol

This course is based on new communicative approaches to learning Japanese