Running now through May 3rd at the Porchlight Music Theater Chicago, Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures is the fascinating story of Japan's transformation into an industrialized nation as US Commodore Matthew Perry arrives at Tokyo's shores in 1853. Mixing elements of Kabuki theatre with conventions of the Broadway musical, Pacific Overtures was nominated for 10 Tony Awards upon its 1976 release.

Come see this rarely staged production!

Running now through May 10th, Indiana University's exhibit of Tokyo photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto's work draws from across his extensive body of work. Known for his technically refined and contemplative eye, this exhibit at IU includes works from his series of photographs of old movie theaters and his famous series of horizon lines at sea, seen most recently on a U2 album cover.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's award-winning Tokyo Sonata returns to Chicago for a full run after its widely heralded premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival last year. The story of a father, Ryuhei, who loses his job but cannot bring himself to tell his family, Sonata expertly traces the fault lines in modern Japanese families alienated from each other and their society.

The recipient of the Grand Jury Prize at the Chicago International Film Festival, Tokyo Sonata will begin its theatrical run in Chicago at the Music Box Theater on Friday, April 10th. On Sunday, April 12th, the Music Box will host the producer of the film, Yukie Kito, to present her with the Grand Jury Prize from the festival.

To increase awareness of their relationship with Higashimurayama, their sister city in Japan, the city of Independence, Missouri, will be throwing their bi-annual Cherry Blossom Festival on April 26th. Featuring performances of traditional Japanese dances and martial arts, as well as a wealth of made-in-Japan toys, clothing, and books, the festival is a great opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture. And if that's not enough, there will be plenty of Japanese food on hand, too.

The Universtiy of Ilinois at Urbana-Champaign's venerable Japan House will be having an Open House on April 18th. It is a great opportunity to explore the facility, including its well-kept garden, pristine displays of ikebana, and traditional tatami rooms. Additionally, at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the day of the Open House, renowned chef at Nanakusa Japanese Restaurant in Milwaukee, Richard Kaiser, will be giving a special presentation on the art of Japanese dining.

Monthly Economic Report (March, 2009)
http://www5.cao.go.jp/keizai3/getsurei-e/2009mar.html

Summary of the Meeting and Luncheon Between Foreign Minister Nakasone and Secretary of State Clinton
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/meet0902.html

Japan's ODA White Paper 2008 "Japan's International Cooperation"
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/white/2008/index.html

Statement by Prime Minister Taro Aso on Their Majesties' Visit to Canada and the State of Hawaii, the United States of America
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/asospeech/2009/03/13danwa_2_e.html

Joint Press Statement on the 4th Guam-Japan Meeting
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/guam0902.html

International Symposium on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and their Integration in Japan:
Reflections on Japan's and Other Countries' Experiences and Practices in the Integration of Foreign Residents as Community Members
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/bulletin/symposium0902.html

Here are three questions regarding news stories about Japan in March. The first person to send us the most correct answers wins a little Japanese prize. Don't forget to send us your mailing address with your answers!

1. Which unlikely celebrity recently modeled high school uniforms at a Tokyo fashion show?

2. Similarly, what were representatives of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology doing on another Tokyo catwalk?

3. Why was Colonel Sanders all wet and missing his legs in Osaka?
   
   
   To submit your answers by email, click here: jic@japancc.org and write "Japan News Quiz" in the subject line.

Answers from the January/February Quiz:
And a hearty congratulations to Keith Uchima, who got all six questions right last month. He will be receiving some fancy Japan Information Center swag in the mail.

1. What rare solar event was Japan's Kaguya lunar probe the first to ever record on video? A total solar eclipse
   
   
2. How are people who visit a museum in Odaiba, Tokyo, getting to explore other galaxies? With a virtual reality planetarium
   
   
3. Why might Yojiro Takita have a little more to be excited about after February 22nd? Because he won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Okuribito
   
   
4. The same question, but for Kunio Kato? Because he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, La Maison en petits cubes
   
   
5. Who is improving the lives of seniors Japan-wide with her book, "Best Ski Text for Seniors"? Fumio Hirasawa
   
   
6. What chilling discovery did astronomers at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan make with the Subaru Telescope? Clouds of ice around a distant star

Kids Web Japan

If you'd like to show Japan's food, manga, nature, film, folk tales, or just culture in general to any children you know, or if you're a child yourself, then Kids Web Japan is a very helpful resource. With an extensive list of recipes, photo tours of famous sites all over Japan, and lots of games and quizzes, it provides a lot of the basics of Japan in a bright, cartoony format. Plus, there's free language lessons, the kind that even an adult could understand.

Happy Beginning of Spring,

With this, my second month at the Japan Information Center and my second e-Japan Journal ever, I will be inaugurating a new feature! Don't get too excited--it's just this section here, the monthly editor's note. But what an editor's note it will be! My goal is to write a short column in which I can give updates about the webletter, express an occasional opinion, and, hopefully, air reader feedback.

To that end, I'd like to emphasize our continued call for any and all feedback. We'd like to hear your questions and criticisms, information abut upcoming events, suggestions for other events, and, oh, I don't know, a list of your favorite Japanese movies. Please note, of course, that the email address for the Journal has changed with the rest of the consulate. The flurry of reader correspondence I am anticipating will be received at our new address: jic@japancc.org

Finally, a quick note about the webletter's publishing schedule: In order to get back on a reasonable schedule, wherein the monthly letter comes at the beginning of the month, the April edition will be mailed out in three weeks' time, and the May letter three weeks from then, so that by June we will be right on schedule.

Enjoy the melting snow,
Daniel Drake, Editor