The Takarazuka Revue Company, one of the largest theatre groups in Japan, features an all-female cast that specialises in either a “male role” or a “female role” in the musicals, stage dramas and dance revues. Showcasing a wide range of genres, it has attracted a mass audience of mostly female followers, resulting in tickets sales reaching fever pitch levels. But what is the role of Takarazuka in the world of Japanese theatre and what does it signify?

This special event commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Takarazuka provides an opportunity to cultivate a cross-cultural understanding of the theatre company through discussion. Beginning with a brief talk by Dr Nobuko Anan, a lecturer in Japanese studies at Birkbeck, University of London, regarding the history and characteristics of Takarazuka, she will be joined by Noriko Tosaka (aka Ai Otohara) and Machiko Nakano (aka Reo Kazami), two distinguished former Takarazuka performers, as well as Jano Williams, co-director of the documentary Dream Girls (1994). Tosaka and Nakano will reflect on their past experiences inside the exclusive, fiercely competitive company whose practices have remained largely unchanged for a century. As arguably one the first filmmakers outside of Japan to capture the elite world of Takarazuka, Williams, a British filmmaker, will speak about their motives for making their insightful film, and what they observed through the camera behind the scenes of the dazzling revue.

Following the discussion, the former Takarazuka performers will take part in a short demonstration illustrating the distinct form of male and female characterisations that the company is so well known for.

This event will extend beyond a simple overview of Takarazuka and together, the speakers, each with their own perspectives, will delve into the impact of Takarazuka, issues associated with Takarazuka, including gender, as well as the societal norms that have created this spectacular scene.

The Japanese Taster for Schools (JTS) Programme exists to create links between schools and Japanese-speaking volunteers. JTS volunteers carry out school visits across the UK to introduce students at any level to the Japanese language by carrying out fun and informative taster sessions. The JTS programme is a fantastic opportunity to use your Japanese to gain practical experience volunteering in your local community.

To empower and encourage volunteers, we will be holding an online training session on 9^th September 2024. We will provide information about the JTS programme and there will be a talk given by an experienced teacher of Japanese, Ms Clare Kuroishi. There will also be a chance to ask us questions, speak to other volunteers, and a fun quiz that will test your Japanese language volunteer knowledge!

This event is open to everyone – including those who are not yet registered as volunteers. We hope that existing volunteers can use this event as a chance to hone their skills and to be inspired, and that new members can get an idea about the programme.

Find out more about the JTS Programme here 

General Information

• Date/Time: 9^th September 2024 (Monday), 17:30-18:30 (BST)
• Venue: Online (Zoom software)
• Cost: Free (booking essential)
• Maximum number of participants: 20
• Spoken language: English

You can take part whether you are already registered as a volunteer or are interesting in registering as a volunteer. JTS volunteers can have any level of Japanese, from beginner to fluency.

Experienced teachers of Japanese are very welcome to attend, but will be treated as lower priority applicants if the event reaches maximum capacity.

Event Schedule

• 17:30 – 17:35: Intro / Explanation of the JTS programme
• 17:35 – 17:50: Guest speaker talk – Ms Clare Kuroishi (Tips for teaching Japanese numbers as part of a one-off taster session)
• 17:50 – 18:10: Group activity (quiz)
• 18:10 – 18:25: Q&A, networking and discussion
• 18:25 – 18:30: Close

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Speaker: Ms Clare Kuroishi (Teacher of Japanese)

Topic: Tips for teaching Japanese numbers to beginners

Biography: “I first went to Japan 34 years ago and have been teaching Japanese on and off for the past 26 years. Originally, I taught adults, then moved into GCSE, IB & A Level at grammar and independent schools. However, I have spent the last 10 years teaching in a Primary school & marking the Edexcel GCSE. I prefer to teach through experiences where possible as I believe it helps form the connections that aid retention.”

Click here to fill out an application form to attend

NB: There is NO application deadline but applications will close if the maximum number of participants is exceeded.

Is your school interested in starting a Japanese Club?

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!

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!

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
- 12 x 1-hour online sessions
 * Please see the training schedule below.

3. Support and advice for teachers running the Japanese Club

The teaching material and the training programme are designed for teachers who don’t have any experience of running Japanese clubs or 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 in Japanese language learning and 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:

• Every Monday (excluding half-term and holidays) starting from 7 October, 4 pm to 5 pm. Please refer to the schedule below for precise dates.
• In total of 12 sessions of 1h/week classes.

October: 7, 14

November: 4, 11, 18, 25

December: 9

January: 13, 20, 27

February: 3, 10

Venue: Online

Medium of language: English

Fee: Free

Number of participants: around 10 teachers

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Application:

Please click here to fill out the 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:

3rd October 2024 at 4pm

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Enquiries:  Language Team, The Japan Foundation, London

                events.japanese@jpf.go.jp (English/Japanese)

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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 September?

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.

We've added an extra screening to our bumper day in Cambridge this November, and this time, it's accompanied by a director Q&A session! Join us, together with director YAKUWA Shinnosuke, for a very special screening of Totto-chan the Movie: The Little Girl at the Window (2023).

Totto-chan (ONO Liliana) is an energetic young girl, filled with enthusiasm for the world around her. However, her overwhelming vitality is viewed negatively by her school, which expels her, and Totto-chan is instead enrolled at Tomoe School, an institution founded by headmaster KOBAYASHI Sosaku (YAKUSHO Koji). KOBAYASHI's values differ strongly from those of Totto-chan's previous school: he is a firm believer in the importance of children's independence, and in their freedom to act as they wish and express themselves in their own ways. It is at his school that Totto-chan truly begins to flourish, but in the background, the shadow of impending hardship looms: war is on the horizon.

To book your ticket,
click here to visit the Panorama Journal website.

Calling all secondary school and language school teachers of Japanese! We will be holding a sixth Online Get-Together. This is a great opportunity to talk with your colleagues about your work in a relaxed, casual setting. We hope you can use this as a chance to talk about any issues you are facing in the classroom, exchange information on resources or exams, and more.

As well as group discussion sessions, Dr Chisato Ofune, Chief Language Advisor at the Japan Foundation London will be giving a talk on the theme of “What is ‘culture’? Should we teach it?”.

If you were asked what culture is, how would you answer? Can you explain it simply? In this session, we would like to think together with the participants about what culture is and what students can learn by studying culture.

About the speakers

Dr Chisato Ofune is Chief Japanese Language Advisor at The Japan Foundation London since September 2021. Before joining the U.K. Japan Foundation Office, she has been engaged in Japanese language education in Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, and has been involved in the development of various textbooks for secondary school students and teacher education projects throughout her career.

Date:

• 26^th March 2024 (Tuesday), 17:00-18:30 (BST), 18:30-19:00
• *18:30-19:00 (Participants are welcome to stay beyond the end of the seminar to ask questions, exchange exam information, network and so on.）

Schedule:

• 17:00- : Main presentation by Dr Ofune including some group work.

QA

Group discussion and exchange information.

• 18:30-:  Further group discussion (extended time)

To apply please click here

• Participation fee: Free (Registration in advance is required.)
• Registration Deadline: 19^th March
• Languages used: Japanese (PowerPoint slides and resources will be shown in English.)

You can read some comments from participants of the previous Online Get-Togethers below:

It was really good to join in with fellow Japanese colleagues from around the country (and world!) and listen and see in Japanese how these colleagues created and use these resources.

I spent a hugely worthwhile time getting to talk with other teachers that I do not often get a chance to meet and exchange new information.

I have gotten a lot of ideas and tips from the speaker’s presentation. Thanks to the presentation I think I can improve my teaching skills to encourage my pupils to learn more!

As part of the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2024, with which the Japan Foundation is proud to partner, animation director OGAWA Iku is joining us for a very special talk revealing the behind-the-scenes of stop-motion film-making. Giving exclusive insights into the direction and character creation processes of the animated works he has been involved in, such as HIDARI (screened at the 2024 Kotatsu Festival) and Netflix's Pokémon Concierge, OGAWA will discuss what it is like to work in the Japanese animation industry - don't miss this rare opportunity to discover its fascinating inner workings!

For the first time, this talk will be given with British Sign Language interpretation.

This online talk is free to attend, but booking is essential.
Click here to book your place on Eventbrite.

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, please don’t miss this great opportunity!

The National Modern Languages SCITT and the Japan Foundation, London will be holding an 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.

The National Modern Languages SCITT (The NML SCITT) is unique, being 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 the recognised standard qualification of Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The PGCE programme is offered in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University, and comes with credits towards an eventual possible Masters-level qualification, should trainees take up the option to continue study in the future. Subject to financial, degree classification and residential qualification, participants accepted on the programme may receive a substantial bursary while training; this is currently £25,000, but please note that this is subject to annual change. The training year consists of an empowering combination of practical training in school placements, supported by University- and centre-based academic tuition.

The NML SCITT will introduce a new pathway for training Japanese language teachers as part of its programme; there will be an expectation in the first instance that Japanese will be offered alongside either French, German or Spanish in order to cater for schools’ existing curricular offers, and to ensure that there is a possibility of qualifying for the bursary. Whilst in the past the provider’s focus has mainly been on these nationally prevalent modern languages (French, German, and Spanish), Mandarin, Arabic, Russian and Italian have also featured in our trainees’ languages skill sets. The NML SCITT will be proud and pleased to add Japanese to the programme portfolio.

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.

On this information day, Mr Keith Faulkner from the National Modern Languages SCITT will give a speech about SCITT, and explain how to apply for the NML SCITT. There will be a Q&A session.

Date: 17:00-17:45 on Tuesday 30th April

To apply, please click here.

• Participation fee: Free (registration in advance is required.)
• Registration deadline: 26th April
• Languages used: English
• Online (ZOOM meeting)

When you think of Japanese woodblock print-making, you likely think of the 18th-and-19th-century greats: KITAGAWA Utamaro, KATSUSHIKA Hokusai, and UTAGAWA Hiroshige are all well-known around the world for their ukiyo-e works, but the art of woodblock printing continued to prosper well beyond their times. In fact, the artform thrived well into the more modern times of the 1920s and 1930s, evolving beyond ukiyo-e along the way, with a number of its artists using it to express their own unique takes on the liveliness of a newly-modernised Tokyo.

In this special talk event, KOYAMA Shuko, curator at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Tokyo, will give an illustrated talk on hanga (woodblock print) works, with a particular focus on the 1920s and 1930s and the ways in which the artists of this time captured the changing city of Tokyo, while also comparing this more modern hanga to its ukiyo-e predecessors.

This event is organised in celebration of the opening of Tokyo, naissance d'une ville moderne (Tokyo, the Birth of a Modern City) at the Japan Foundation's Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris.

This event is free to attend, but booking is essential.
Click here to book your place on Eventbrite.

The Japan Foundation offices (Madrid, Colon, London and Paris) will jointly hold an online teachers’ seminar on the topic ‘Learners are people who “can do”! : Take a Look into Language Education from the CEFR's “Can Do” and “Mediation” on 22nd November 2024 (Friday).

The theme, date and time of the seminar are as follows. Please find the event details below written in Japanese.

*Please note that information is only available in Japanese, as the seminar will be conducted in Japanese. Thank you for your understanding.

 Theme: Learners are people who ‘can do’! : Let's Take a Look at Language Education through the CEFR's ‘Can Do’ and ‘Mediation’

 Date/Time: 22nd November 2024 (Friday),  9:00-11:30 (GMT/UTC) / 10:00-12:30 (CET)

 Application Deadline: 10th November 2024 (Sunday)

Online form

 Enquiries:

 The Japan Foundation, Madrid:  nihongo.kyoshi@jpf.go.jp  (Japanese / Spanish)

 The Japan Foundation, London enquiries: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp  (Japanese / English)

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このたびマドリード日本文化センターが中心となり、国際交流基金の欧州4拠点共催で2024年11月22日（金）にオンライン日本語教師研修会を開催する運びとなりました。

今回のテーマは【学習者は「できる」人である！～CEFRが描くcan doと仲介からことばの教育をのぞいてみよう～】　

講師に奥村三菜子先生をお呼びしての開催です！

多くの方にご参加いただけると幸いです。

テーマ：学習者は「できる」人である！

                 ～CEFRが描くcan doと仲介からことばの教育をのぞいてみよう～

日時：2024年11月22日（金）9:00-11:30 （英国・アイルランド）/10:00-12:30（中央ヨーロッパ）

形式：オンライン（Zoom）

使用言語：日本語

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
・CEFRを使った実践やCan-doや「仲介」の実践にご関心がある方
・オンラインレッスンやプライベートレッスンをされている方も大歓迎！

講師：奥村三菜子  先生 （NPO法人YYJ・ゆるくてやさしい日本語のなかまたち、副理事）

申込：Online form　＊締切：11月10日（日）

チラシ

※ポスターの時刻は、スペイン・ポルトガル時刻で表示されています。英国、アイルランドからのご参加のみなさまは、ポルトガルと同じ時間帯です。どうぞ時差にご注意ください。

講師からのメッセージ：

「できない」を「できる」にすることだけが教育ではありません。「できる」を「もっとできる」にすることも教育です。学習者本人も忘れていた／気づいていなかった「できる」を学びの場で発掘するために、私たちには何ができるでしょう？　CEFRが描くcan doと仲介の考え方からそのヒントを探ってみませんか？

講師略歴：

NPO法人YYJ・ゆるくてやさしい日本語のなかまたち、副理事

1990年代から日本語教育に携わる。1999年に赴任したドイツでCEFRと出会い、以来、CEFRを参照した教育実践、ワークショップ、教師研修等を多数行う。現在は、2019年に仲間と設立したNPO法人で、日本語教師同士および日本語教育と隣接領域をつなぎ、共に支え合うことができる場づくりの活動を行っている。

　主な著書：

　『日本語教師のためのCEFR』（共編著，くろしお出版，2016）

　『CEFR-CVとことばの教育』（共著，くろしお出版，2024）

　『日本語を教えてみたいと思ったときに読む本』（共著，コスモピア，2022）

　＊NPO法人YYJホームページ：https://www.yyjnpo.com

問い合わせ先 :
国際交流基金マドリード日本文化センター 　nihongo.kyoshi@jpf.go.jp

Date:	18 October 2024 - 22 November 2024
Download 1124 オンライン講演会_フライヤ2

(This event is now fully booked.)

We are delighted to announce that the Finals Day for the Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK (JaLaChamp) 2024 will take place on Saturday 11^th May 2024 at Japan House London.

JaLaChamp is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese, and consists of two categories: a speech category, and a video category where students are asked to create an original video. This is the second time that JaLaChamp will take place and once again we received many applications from all across the country.

On Finals Day, each speech category finalist will give a speech on a topic of their choice in front of an audience consists of the panel of judges, teachers, fellow students and their families. We will also be playing the videos of the video category finalists projected on a large screen in the Japan House London Hall! There will be special prizes for all finalists taking part. 

Speeches and videos will be followed by a special talk by Dr Catherine Butler. Dr Butler is Reader in English Literature at Cardiff University, and her latest book, “British Children’s Literature in Japanese Culture: Wonderlands and Looking-Glasses”, published in 2023, looks into the relationship of the Japanese with British children’s literature. She has also published six novels for children and teenagers. She will talk about the fun of translating stories from a different cultural context and conveying messages. 　

Registration for this year’s JaLaChamp finals day has closed as the application have reached the maximum capacity. We are planning to upload recordings of the speeches and the applicants’ videos to our YouTube channel after Finals Day. Please follow this page and the News section of our website for further updates.

This event is generously supported by (in alphabetical order):

Date:	11 May 2024
Download JaLaChamp2024 Finals Day Programme

KAWAUCHI Rinko is one of Japan’s most prominent contemporary photographers. Her work is exhibited globally, including a 2006 solo exhibition at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, and is often described as poetic, offering an ethereal, dream-like perspective on the everyday world we inhabit without being constrained by any one particular theme.

In celebration of her new exhibition at Arnolfini in Bristol, Rinko Kawauchi: At the edge of the everyday world (supported by the Japan Foundation and opening on 19 October), KAWAUCHI will be visiting London to reflect on her works to date, focusing on the past 10 years. She will introduce the ethos behind them, along with the philosophies that drive her photographic practice, giving an exclusive insight into the enthralling images she produces.

KAWAUCHI Rinko

KAWAUCHI Rinko is an internationally-acclaimed photographer who has appeared in countless group exhibitions, including for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2012 at The Photographers' Gallery in London and for the Brighton Photo Biennial 2010 'New Documents' in Brighton. She has published a multitude of photobooks, and has held solo exhibitions near-continuously since 1998, including a 2006 major solo exhibition at The Photographers’ Gallery. Her photography utilises even the smallest aspects of everyday life as a vessel by which to capture poetic reflections on themes of care, identity, sustainability, humanity, and nature, and has won her numerous awards and accolades, including an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society in 2012 and an Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award in 2023.

This event is now fully booked.
Click here to join the waiting list on Eventbrite.

Why not learn Japanese language alongside the exhibition of Japanese food replicas?

Calling all young learners who have never learnt Japanese before or those who are at a very beginner level!

Japan House London is currently holding an exhibition showcasing Japan’s food replicas. This bold exhibition bridges the worlds of Japanese food and culture. The Japan Foundation, London will be holding a Japanese Language session linked to this exhibition.

Please note:

• This session is aimed at young people, such as sixth form students or university students (aged 16-22)
• For those who have never learnt Japanese before or those who are at a very beginner level.
• The food samples at this session and the exhibition are not edible.
• The session is followed by a free exhibition tour, led by Japan House staff. (Optional, approx. 15 min) 

To register, please click here

Fee: Free (registration in advance is required.)

Registration deadline: Monday 21st October

The maximum number of participants is 30 people for each session.

Applications will close when this event has reached maximum capacity (30 participants)

Lecturer: Ms Masumi Jinda Everett

Organised by The Japan Foundation, London

Supported by Japan House London

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About the Lecturer

  Masumi Jinda Everett has dedicated over 20 years to educating young minds, teaching Japanese at Harrow International School in Thailand, as well as at Bexley Grammar School in the UK. Her commitment to her students' development while teaching Japanese language and culture has been the cornerstones of her teaching philosophy. She has continued to inspire and guide students from various cultural backgrounds, enriching their understanding of Japanese language and culture.

We're returning to Cambridge for another special film screening event, and this time we're bringing not just one, but two films!

In collaboration with Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature and Jesus College, University of Cambridge, join us for FREE screenings of Kamome Diner (2005, dir. OGIGAMI Naoko) and Key of Life (2012, dir. UCHIDA Kenji).

These screenings are free to attend, but booking is essential.
Click here to book on the Panorama Journal website.

Screenings

Kamome Diner
dir. OGIGAMI Naoko, 2005, 102 min, English subtitles
Summer arrives in Helsinki, bringing with it the opening of a small Japanese eatery known as Kamome Diner. After a slow start, the shop gradually begins to grow in popularity, yet no-one ever orders the "soul food" rice balls made by its 38-year-old owner, Sachie (KOBAYASHI Satomi).
Screening at 14:30 GMT

Key of Life
dir. UCHIDA Kenji, 2012, 128 min, English subtitles
Failed actor SAKURAI (SAKAI Masato) visits a bathhouse to purify himself before ending it all. When wealthy fellow patron KONDO (KAGAWA Teruyuki) takes an amnesia-inducing fall, SAKURAI spots an opportunity to escape his current struggles and assumes KONDO's identity.
Screening at 17:00 GMT