What's On

Are you interested in Japanese culture, or currently learning Japanese? Do you want to help pre-university students shape their future studies and careers?

The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge is looking for volunteers to assist during this year's summer school  for pre-university students from the UK and Japan, to help the participants to make the most out of their experience.

Volunteer roles:

- Join and facilitate group discussion during the UCL Grand Challenge Workshop on Tuesday 30th JUly

- Encourage Japanese high school students to communicate in English as much as possible

- Support the staff (catering, guide to venues and the toilet)

Dates and Venues:

- Rikkyo School in England: Saturday 27th July

- University of Cambridge: Sunday 28th & Monday 29th July

- UCL (University College London): Tuesday 30th - Satuday 3rd August

*Volunteers may join us from one day to the whole programme between Saturday 30th July and Saturday 3rd August

Times:

9am to 6pm (BST) *Times may vary depending on the day (may finish slightly earlier or later)

What is provided:

Reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed, and lulnch will be provided

Eligibility:

Over 18 years old, who can travel to the location(s)

If you are interested in volunteering, please email ujyc@japanatuk.com

To find out more about the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge, visit the official website: ucl-japan-youth-challenge.com

To download the information flyer for volunteers, click here.

Date:	27 July 2024 - 3 August 2024
Venue:	Rikkyo School in England Cambridge University University College London (UCL)
Download UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2024 volunteer flyer 20230627v1

Oita Prefecture's Kunisaki Peninsula and its Usa area are deemed a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in recognition of their sustainable agricultural traditions, and are home to various local plants, including shiitake mushrooms and shichitoi (a type of tatami grass/soft rush). Shichitoi in particular is unique to the region and is revered for its superior sturdiness and durability; as such, this special plant is widely used for tatami-making, as well as other craftworks.

In this very special event, HAYASHI Hiroaki, President of the Kunisaki Peninsula Usa Area GIAHS Promotion Association, will begin by giving an overview of the importance of agriculture in the region, introducing some of the materials harvested there.

This will be followed by expert craftsperson IWAKIRI Chika demonstrating the making of enza (small, round cushions) using shichitoi, after which workshop ticketholders will have the unique opportunity to get hands-on with this special material as they make their very own miniature shimenawa (a type of traditional rope) and, time permitting, misanga (a type of good luck charm).

This event has limited availability – book now at the link below to secure your place.

Click here to book on the Panorama Journal website

Have you heard about V&A Dundee’s ongoing kimono exhibition? Perhaps you attended our online talk on kimono back in 2020? The kimono is an object of national pride in Japan, long beloved by Japanese people and influential even within the western world. Yet, unfortunately, kimono in modern Japan have been relegated to a sort of costume, worn only on specific special occasions. Perhaps the kimono, now overshadowed by western attire, is no longer considered a driving force in fashion – indeed, fashion itself is a concept generally considered to have been born in western Europe, from where it spread to the rest of the world, Japan included. But is that really the case?

Keeping this question in mind, sociologist and Japanese fashion theorist Prof. NARUMI Hiroshi will discuss how trends and aesthetics surrounding kimono came into being and changed over the course of the Edo period (1603-1868), a period during which many notable cultures flourished. Paying close attention to the trends seen among the groups active at the time – those in power, industry insiders, creators, performers, and young people – NARUMI will also explore in what ways kimono constituted fashion, and just how trail-blazing a fashion culture emerged.

To book your place, please click here to access the booking form.

Please note that the confirmation email system is not automated and is subject to office opening hours.

The Japan Foundation (JF) conducts its “Survey on Japanese Language Education” every three years in order to confirm the current state of Japanese language education in countries and regions around the world.

The information collected is very important as the results are widely used as basic data to understand the situation of Japanese language education all around the world.

The results will be compiled into a report containing the latest information concerning the current state of Japanese language education. They will also be utilised in our "search engine for institutions offering Japanese-language education".

The 2024 survey will be conducted from September 2024, but we wish to tell you basic information about the survey below. Additionally, your cooperation would be appreciated at this stage with item “5.” (“Request for information about institutions offering Japanese education”).

1.     Survey coverage

2.     Survey items

3.     Survey method

4.     Reward for responding to survey

5.     Request for information about institutions offering Japanese education.

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1. Survey coverage:

All organisations that potentially offer Japanese language education outside Japan.

The following organisations are NOT covered by the survey:

• Groups and activities that are not associated with an actual organisation
• Overseas educational institutions that offer only ‘kokugo’ (Japanese national language) education　

*However, overseas educational institutions offering courses that are not ‘kokugo’ education (Japanese as a heritage language / foreign language) will be covered at the departmental/course level.

• Broadcasters or website operators providing Japanese-language education for an unspecified number of people
• Short-term Japanese language experience activities

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2. Survey items:

(11 questions in total. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete).

Basic information on your organisation (organisation name, name of Japanese-language education department , address / URL, contact information, institution type, educational stage (level) (in formal education terms, primary / secondary (lower/upper) / higher, other education), positioning of Japanese-language learning

Number of teachers (by education stage (level), breakdown of full-time/part-time, number of teachers who are native Japanese language speakers)

Number of Japanese language learners (breakdown by education stage (level))*

Whether degree awarding, Japanese language teacher training courses, and online classes are offered

Purposes and reasons for learners’ Japanese language learning, the state of Japanese language development at your organisation

*In the case of primary and secondary education, there is a question about the number of learners studying the Japanese language as a formal subject or as an extracurricular activity. In the case of universities, there is a question about the number of learners studying the Japanese language as a major, as a non-major, or as an extracurricular activity. Preparing these figures beforehand and having them at hand will help you in completing the survey smoothly.

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3. Survey method:

A questionnaire format to be answered online. The URL of the form will be sent to you via email.

*In some cases, we may seek your cooperation via a different method, such as over the telephone.

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4. Reward for responding to survey:

After you have submitted your response, you will be able to download supplementary Japanese language teaching materials created by the Japan Foundation. Please use them in your lessons.

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5. Request for information about institutions offering Japanese education.

Prior to the survey, we are seeking information on organisations that may teach Japanese in the UK. It does not have to be the organisation where you work . Ambiguous information is also welcome. If you know information on any organisations that may teach Japanese language, please provide information by the following ways. We appreciate your cooperation.

1.     Fill in the form.

2.     Send an email to LO_survey@jpf.go.jp

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For your information, the institute that can be searched from the website below are responded that they offer Japanese language education in the previous survey in 2021.

Search criteria | Survey Report on Japanese-Language Education Abroad 2021 (jpf.go.jp)

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If your organisation does not receive a request despite offering Japanese-language education, or you have any other inquiries, please contact us via the email above. 

We are hoping that a large number of organisations will cooperate with the survey and would like to ask for your help in this survey as without your answers your Japanese language education activities will not be reflected in the data and we will not have fully accurate figures, which would negatively affect the value of the survey.

Thank you for your support.

Step into the world of Kabuki with six stunning kimonos worn by the legendary actor BANDO Tamasaburo V, known for his renowned onnagata roles (male actor who performs female roles). Experience the intricate artistry of these garments, highlighting a diverse range of complex textile techniques, encompassing weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and hand-painting. We are delighted to collaborate with the Ashmolean Museum.

Date: 21 November 2023 - 8 December 2024

Venue: The Ashmolean Museum

Click here for details

Following on from the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024 (JFTFP24) in February and March, we are delighted to announce that JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE, first launched in 2020, will now also be held in the UK from 5 June at 4am until 3 July at 4am (all times BST).

For the first two weeks of the festival, 18 Japanese films will be available for streaming, with 2 television drama series that were popular in Japan being made available for the festival’s second half.

Enjoy the diverse world of Japanese cinema in person and also online this year!

In collaboration with William Morris Gallery, we're proudly presenting the UK's most wide-ranging exhibition dedicated to Mingei, the influential folk-craft movement originating in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. Showcasing a diverse array of works including ceramics, woodwork, textiles, and more, this exhibition explores Mingei's cultural significance and its enduring relevance in contemporary craft and consumerism.

Date: now on, until 22 September 2024
Venue: William Morris Gallery
Click here for details

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese which evaluates and certifies their Japanese-Language proficiency. The test takes place twice a year (July and December) in Japan and various locations around the world. Currently, it is the largest Japanese language test in the world, with more than 1.48 million people worldwide having registered for the JLPT in 2023.

The next December JLPT will take place on Sunday, 1^st December 2024. Registration will start at each test centre from early/ mid-August.  

Please check this page for any updates on UK test centres for the December 2024 JLPT. For application opening dates and registration details, please refer to each university’s website using the links below:

Japan Research Centre, SOAS University of London

University of Edinburgh

University of Leicester

Please note that the JLPT is very popular and registration at each test centre will close when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.

For more information about the test, please visit JLPT website.

Ø  Let’s Try Sample Questions!

Ø  Download a Guide to the 2024 Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.

Date:	1 December 2024
Download guide_2024B

The Japan Foundation offices (Cologne and London) will jointly hold an online teachers’ follow-up session on the topic ‘Let’s Use Chat GPT for learning Japanese’ on 13th July 2024 (Saturday).

This seminar is open both for those who attended the seminar held on 13 April 2024, and also for those who have watched the recorded video of the seminar!

The other details of the seminar, such as the theme, date and time, 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: Follow-up Session: Let’s Use Chat GPT for Learning Japanese!

 Date/Time: 13th July 2024 (Friday),  9:00-12:00 (BST/UTC+1)

 Application Deadline: 8th July 2024 (Monday)

Online form

 Eligibility: Those who attended the online seminar held on 13th April 2024

                      Those who have watched the recorded video of the 13th April 2024 seminar

                (Video is available from:

https://youtu.be/MYSYReGKqPE?si=SsU9um703-GTCy5T)

 Enquiries:

 The Japan Foundation, Cologne:  kurse@jpf.go.jp  (Japanese / German)

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

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このたび国際交流基金ケルン日本文化会館とロンドン日本文化センターの共催で2024年7月13日（土）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。

この研修会は、4月13日に開催されたフォローアップ研修という位置づけで行います。

4月13日のセミナーに参加していない方も、セミナーのビデオを視聴すれば参加できます！

この機会に「Chat GPT」をどのように日本語学習、日本語教育に活用できるか、私たちと一緒に考えてみませんか？

みなさまのご参加、お待ちしています。

テーマ：

日時：2024年7月13日（土）9:00-12:00 （英国夏時間）

形式：オンライン（Zoom）

使用言語：日本語

対象：　日本語教師研修会2024春（4/13実施）に参加した方

　　　　 セミナー動画「ChatGPTを日本語学習に使ってみよう！」を視聴した方

　　　　（まだの方はこちらからどうぞ！

https://youtu.be/MYSYReGKqPE?si=SsU9um703-）

※実践共有、アイデア提案にご協力くださる方の参加を優先します。

講師：東健太郎（国際交流基金ケルン日本文化会館　日本語教育アドバイザー）

定員：90名程度

参加費：無料

使用言語：日本語

申込：https://forms.office.com/r/tV44NAj0xN 

＊締切：7月８日（月）12:00

チラシ

【講師から一言、二言、三言】

今回の研修会も前回と同じく、ChatGPTを取り上げます。

4月の研修会からちょうど3か月。前回の内容を踏まえて、みなさんがどのようにChatGPTを日本語学習や日本語教育に活用しているか、これからどのように活用したいのかをシェアする場です。

前回は私がず～～～っっっとしゃべりましたが、今回は全員参加型の会になるよう企画しています。

Q. 研修内容は？

今回の内容は次の３つです。

・ChatGPT最新情報：５月にリリースされたGPT-4oを取り上げます。

・実践共有：参加者のみなさんの実践共有と、私自身の実践共有を行います。

・アイデア提案：テーマごとのブレイクアウトルームを自由に行き来して、興味のあるテーマに関するアイデアを提案＆共有します。       　

Q. おすすめポイントは？

いろいろな人の活用例を共有できるので、今回はさらなる広がりを期待しています！前回が基礎編だとすると、今回は発展編ですね。人数に限りがありますので、お急ぎください！

問い合わせ先 :ケルン日本文化会館  kurse@jpf.go.jp（日本語／ドイツ語）

ロンドン日本文化センター: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp  (日本語／英語)

Date:	8 July 2024 from 9.00am to 12.00pm
Download JKI_2024_Summer_flyer