The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves to be a useful, interesting, and exciting window for you to Japanese cultural activities happening throughout the Midwest. As always, your feedback, comments, and suggestions are encouraged and can be sent to our editor, Amy Klouse, at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| This Month in Japan |
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Shiwasu, the old Japanese name for the month of December, refers to “priests running around,” because they, like most everyone else, are busy preparing for upcoming New Year celebrations.
The National Holidays in Japan this month include the birthday of the current emperor, which is December 23, as well as the End of Year holidays on December 29, 30 and 31.
Another important observation in December is New Year's Eve - called Omisoka in Japan. Families prepare for the most important holiday of the year, Oshogatsu, which is the first 3 days of the New Year. As midnight approaches on Omisoka, Buddhist temples around the country ring temple bells 108 times to signify a phasing out of the old year and a progression into the new year. This practice is based on a belief that humans have 108 vices they must overcome in order to attain enlightenment, and each ring is thought to repel one of these human earthly desires.
On New Year’s Eve, many Japanese practice hatsumode, the visiting of a temple or shrine for the first time that year.
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The Emperor's birthday falls on December 23. Under the Japanese Constitution, the Emperor is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people. Emperor Akihito took the throne as the 125th Emperor of Japan in 1989. Members of the Imperial Family maintain wide contact with citizens across Japan including disaster struck areas, and promote international friendship. They are also very involved in academic activities and preserving the nation’s cultural traditions.
His birthday is one of two occasions in the year where the Imperial Grounds are open for public access. If you would like to find out more about Emperor Akihito or Japan's Imperial Family, please click this link.
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| Ambassador Caroline Kennedy's Arrival to Japan |
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with Ambassador of the
United States to Japan Caroline Kennedy
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In November, newly appointed Ambassador Caroline Kennedy arrived to Japan to assume her post as the United States' Ambassador to Japan.
Her life has been committed to public service. Ambassador Kennedy worked as a lawyer, author, and editor prior to becoming Ambassador. She has served on the board for a number of educational committees and partnerships as well as for various non-profit organizations and foundations.
She is pleased that President Barack Obama selected her to be the first female Ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Kennedy believes that "there are deep and profound economic, strategic, and cultural ties, and our societies share a commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law."
You can read more on Ambassador Kennedy from the Embassy of the United States in Japan website or from the Prime Minister of Japan website.
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| Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) Spotlight |
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Ms. Takeda (left) and
Ms. Hendrickson (right)
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Hello. My name is Izumi Takeda. I am currently teaching Japanese with my co-teacher, Ms. Karen Hendrickson at Madison Country Day School which is located in Waunakee, Wisconsin, a suburb of Madison. Madison Country Day School is rural and surrounded by the beauty of nature. From our classrooms, we can see lots of green, lakes, and wildlife. The size of the school is very small; the number of the students who are studying Japanese is 30 in total out of 350 students in the school.
Three months have passed since I arrived here, but still every day is an adventure for me. I am learning many things while living here! Karen sensei is always so cheerful and full of energy. We work to make Japanese class enjoyable and fun to motivate students. While I am here, I would like to: 1) improve Japanese for my students, 2) have kids who I am not even teaching become interested in Japan, and 3) learn about the American education system and American culture for myself.
What is more, Naka-san, a member of the JOI program that is also endorsed by the Japan Foundation, is working in Madison, Wisconsin. It is uncommon and fortuitous that a JOI coordinator and a J-LEAP assistant language instructor are in the same city. In cooperation with Naka-san, I would like to be involved in a variety of Japanese events in this area. I hope, together, we can teach people living here about Japan as much as possible.
I have one more exciting thing to tell you about! Madison and Obihiro (in Hokkaido) have been sister cities since 2006. One of the aims of the relationship is to promote mutual understanding between the youth of the two cities. As such, students from Madison visit Obihiro and visa versa. Madison-Obihiro Sister Cities (MOSC) will be sending a delegation of students to Obihiro in April, 2014 and is looking for participants. If you or someone you know would like more information, please contact my co-teacher.
Ms. Izumi Takeda
Email: itakeda@madisoncountryday.org
Ms. Karen Hendrickson
Email: khendrickson@madisoncountryday.org
I recently wrote an article in the Japan Foundations' November 2013 issue of Breeze. Please read more about my position as an assistant language instructor!
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 Every year, the Japan Foundation offers several grants and fellowships to support researchers, educators, scholars, and others doing work related to Japanese culture, language, politics, and more. These grants and fellowships are a great way to strengthen your organization's mission. The deadlines are quickly approaching!
- Exhibitions Abroad Support Program (deadline 12/2)
Exhibitions Abroad Support Program is designed to provide financial assistance to exhibitions introducing Japanese art and culture in the United States.
- Grant Program for Dispatching Artists and Cultural Specialists (deadline 12/2)
This program is designed to support artists and Japanese culture specialists who participate in cultural events (e.g., performing arts, demonstrations, lectures, and workshops) overseas with the aim of introducing Japanese arts and culture or contributing to international society through arts and cultural projects.
- Japanese Language Programs for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Field (deadline 12/2)
This program provides specialists (Researchers, Postgraduate Students, Librarians, Museum Curators, etc.) who need a good command of Japanese language for conducting their field-related work and research with a course of Japanese-Language specifically designed for their needs. The program is held at the Japan Foundation - Japanese Language Institute, Kansai in Japan. There are 2-month and 6-month courses, and both focus primarily on "language training" for participants requiring specialized Japanese proficiency. Professional education in their specific area of expertise is NOT included in the curriculum.
- Training Programs for Japanese Language Teachers (deadline 12/2)
This program is for non-native speakers of Japanese who are under the age of 35, and have more than 6 months and less than 5 years of experience in teaching the Japanese language (private lessons not included) as of December 1, 2013. This course assists the participants in improving their Japanese-language skills and teaching methodology, as well as in deepening their knowledge of Japan.
- JOI (Japan Outreach Initiative) Coordinator (deadline 1/8) and Host Institutions (deadline 1/15)
The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) and The Laurasian Institution (TLI) designed the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI). This program offers a grassroots opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Japan by sending Japanese individuals to U.S. sites as volunteer coordinators of community outreach activities about Japan.
- J-LEAP (Japanese Language Education Assistant Program) 2014-2016 Host Institutions (deadline 1/21)
This program brings native Japanese language Assistant Teachers to K-12 educational institutions in the U.S. for up to two years to strengthen their Japanese language programs as well as create opportunities to nurture a new generation of qualified Japanese language teachers.
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| TOMODACHI Japan Society Junior Fellows Student Exchange Program |
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 The TOMODACHI Japan Society Junior Fellows Student Exchange Program is a culturally immersive learning experience in Japan. Ten high school students who are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors at the time of the application and are potential future leaders are eligible to apply. Students will live in the Tokyo metropolitan area with a host family, experience school life in Japan, and visit historical sites from July 1-24, 2014.
The total trip costs $3,500, with full and partial need-based scholarships available. Tuition includes orientation, all international and domestic travel in the U.S. and Japan, as well as meals and accommodations. Applications must be received by January 20, 2014. Please visit the website by clicking the link above to access application materials and to find out more on what the program has to offer!
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| December 1: JLPT @ DePaul University! |
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Don't forget, the time has come for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test! Here are some last minute tips:
- Bring your ID, JLPT test voucher, plenty of pencils and erasers, a silent wristwatch, and some snacks to keep yourself energized between sections.
- Be sure to arrive early...better than running late and not having enough time for the test!
- Although you may want to do some last minute studying, make sure to get plenty of rest the night before.
Good luck! If you want to take the test next year, find out more information on JLPT here.
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| December 3: JET Program Applications DEADLINE EXTENDED to 12/3 |
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Are you a U.S. citizen and a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the upcoming year? Have you considered applying to the JET Program? We hope so!
The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program is a government sponsored program that promotes internationalization and language education at the grassroots level. It was established in 1987 and is one of the largest educational programs of its kind. Recent college graduates and young professionals from over 40 countries are invited annually to share their language and culture with Japanese youth.
JETs participate in the program in one of two ways: as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), who team-up with Japanese colleagues to teach English in primary or secondary schools; or as Coordinators of International Relations (CIRs), who perform various international and inter-cultural related functions in local government offices.
Please visit the JET Program website to take the first steps toward becoming a JET! The deadline is 5:30PM EST December 3, 2013. Please note that the application should be sent to the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. The Consulate will not accept or forward applications.
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| December 3 - 31: Japanese cultural display @ Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest |
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For the month of December, Navy Pier will once again host the delightful Winter WonderFest celebrations. As in years past, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago will display a Japanese-themed Christmas tree from Tuesday, December 3 until the end of the month! The tree will be complete with decorative origami ornaments.
Stop by, take pictures, sip some delicious hot chocolate, and take a look at some of the other cultural themed trees there from other Consulates based in Chicago. If you use Twitter or Facebook, tag us and send us your pictures in front of the #OrigamiTree!
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| December 12: 27th Annual Holiday Fundraiser Bonenkai by the Japan America Society of Chicago |
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This year marks the 27th Anniversary of the Japan America Society of Chicago's Bonenkai fundraising event.
The deadline for corporate RSVPs has passed, but individual reservations can be made until December 12. Pre-payment is required. If you cannot attend, but would still like to make a donation, please call (312) 263-3049.
A silent auction and cocktail reception will be from 5:30 - 7:30 PM in the Crystal Room (5th Floor). This will be followed immediately by a festive banquet until 9:30 PM in the Main Dining Room (6th Floor). Visit the Japan America Society's event website below to see what items are in the silent auction and raffle!
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
December 12, 2013 (Thurs)
5:30 - 9:30 PM |
Union League Club of Chicago
65 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604 |
Japan America Society of Chicago
● Individual $150, see website for corporate rates
● Business attire required
● Self Parking available at the garage on the northwest corner of Federal and Van Buren |
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| December 16 - February 7: TOHOKU Through the Eyes of Japanese Photographers Exhibit @ JIC |
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Driving off Sparrows, Kitsunezaka, Taiyu Village
Teisuke Chiba 1943
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Until February 7, the JIC will be hosting an exciting traveling exhibit featuring over 120 photographs from Tohoku. This exhibition, which was curated by Japanese photography critic Kotaro Iizawa to mark the second anniversary of the great earthquake, does not attempt to document the damage or recovery but instead uses photography to show the natural and cultural environment of Tohoku along with its people and their ways of life.
It is composed of the work of nine individual photographers and one photographers’ group who belong to a variety of generations and stylistic tendencies but are all from Tohoku. Photographs taken in the 1940s will be shown alongside images of the present. By presenting the viewpoints of highly individualistic photographers who represent the past, present, and future, this exhibition aims to introduce many fascinating aspects of Tohoku to the world.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
December 16, 2013 - February 7, 2014
M-F 9:15 AM - 5:00 PM
*Some weekends, contact us for more information |
Japan Information Center Hall
Consulate General of Japan
737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000
(10th Fl.)
Chicago, IL 60611 |
Website
Flier
● Free admission |
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| December 31: Japan America Society of Iowa's End of Year Joya no Kane event |
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Children ringing bell image courtesy of
the Japan America Society of IA
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The Joya no Kane, or the "tolling bells ceremony," is a fun way to commemorate the coming of the New Year with friends and family. As I discussed in the "This Month in Japan" section, Buddhist priests ring large bronze bells 108 times in Japan to ward off evil desires that we suffer from on earth. Joya no Kane in Iowa observes the same traditions by using a special Japanese bell that was given to Iowa as a sign of appreciation by Yamanashi prefecture in 1962.
The Japan America Society of Iowa holds this event annually at 9 AM on December 31 because it corresponds to midnight on January 1 in Japan. All who attend are encouraged to watch and partake in the ceremony.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Tuesday, December 31
9 AM |
Iowa State Capital Building, by the bell
1007 E Grand Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50319 |
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If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact our librarian directly at emily.toelcke@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| Highlighted Resources is a column written by JIC librarian Emily Toelcke that features notable library materials we offer per month. |
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While living in Japan, I traveled extensively throughout the country. During my excursions, I observed that certain historical figures were frequently mentioned. However, having never heard of these influential men and women, I was unable to fully appreciate the significance of the places I visited. While further research gave me an overwhelming list of one-dimensional facts, it was not until I read Giants of Japan: The Lives of Japan’s Most Influential Men and Women (Call number: 310006) by Mark Weston that Japan’s history became as vividly multi-dimensional as the nation I had experienced.
Spanning fifteen centuries of history and separated into five sections – Industry; Traditional Culture; History; Modern Writers; and Two Film Directors, Two Athletes – Giants of Japan is a collection of forty biographies on the most influential individuals who have helped to shape the country. Some names may be recognizable to the casual observer such as Honda (Soichiro), the founder of Honda Motors, while others, such as Fukuzawa Yukichi, are equally significant but less familiar. (Fukuzawa-san, by the way, wrote the first Japanese-English dictionary and introduced Western culture to Japan through his numerous writings).
Giants of Japan is not an encyclopedia nor does it claim to be comprehensive. Instead, it is an engaging resource specifically designed to introduce some of Japan’s greatest men and women. Throughout the book, the author assumes that the reader has a general understanding of the country, but may also have limited knowledge of a specific topic. He frequently connects people with objects, stories with buildings, and “new” historical facts with those already known. For example, in “The House of Mitsui: Merchants for Four Centuries,” Weston explains why the Mitsui name is on everything from noodles to missiles, explains the significance of Tokyo’s Mitsukoshi department store, and compares the Mitsui family’s wealth to the Rockefeller’s. The extensive index in the back allows the reader to easily cross-reference topics and the independence of each biography allows the chapters to be read in any order. Unfortunately, though, no kanji is included and thus makes real-world identification of highlighted individuals more challenging.
For those interested in a well-rounded yet concise introduction to Japan’s history, I would highly recommend Giants of Japan. A nation’s identity is directly influenced by the personal stories of its people. Japan and its “giants” are no different! Their lives and contributions are the factors that make this society so unique.
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| New Additions, also written by Emily Toelcke, showcases the latest materials we have received in the JIC collection. |
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Due to temporary closure of the library during November, there were no new additions this past month. This column will be resumed in January.
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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!
- When is construction for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games scheduled to begin?
- Which fast food company is planning to expand the home delivery service option that is currently offered in Japan worldwide?
- What popular pinboard-style content/photo-sharing social media service expanded to Japan this month?
Congratulations to Richard Stump, our winner from the November issue!
• What item is a prospective listing to become an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage item in Japan?
Sushi, miso soup, yakitori, oh my! Japanese cuisine has been submitted as an intangible cultural heritage item. Food from Mediterranean countries as well as Mexico have already been formally recognized for their distinctiveness by UNESCO. Read all about it here!
• From what grade will English start being taught in Japanese schools?
Starting in 2020, Japanese students will learn English from the third grade. Currently, most students are required in school to learn from the fifth grade onwards. Beginning English two school years earlier is projected to assist in proficiency and comprehension of a second language. This means that in the future, more assistant language teachers will be needed in elementary schools. You can read more about education in Japan here.
• Which popular Japanese television program announced it will end next March, after 3 decades on air?
The long-running ‘Waratte li Tomo’ will stop broadcasting early next year. Although this is unfortunate news, let's celebrate the show's achievement of airing for thirty years! Click here for more information.
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 Billboard Charts Japan Top 100
This month, I selected the Billboard Top 100 songs in Japan because the website allows you to navigate in English, listen to new songs, and purchase songs for download if you like. The website also has a feature where you can explore the top songs from past years in database archives. For Japan Top 100, the farthest back you can search is 2008 but more extensive lists do not appear until 2009.
Although listening to music in a foreign language and fully understanding it can be a challenge, it allows one to become immersed in culture while exploring communication in an entertaining, engaging way. It is a refreshing change of pace and it allows one to step away from the necessities of reading a textbook, memorizing linguistic patterns, or listening/reciting audio discs for language study. So find something new to listen to today and get practising!
If you find a new favorite song, share it with us on our Facebook or Twitter pages.
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December means preparation for New Year celebrations in Japan! Prior to 1873, Japan followed a lunar-based calendar that celebrated the new year on a date similar to when the date is celebrated in countries like China, South Korea, or Vietnam today. When the country adopted the Gregorian calendar in the aforementioned year, special customs carried on to the new date of January 1.
There are many traditions in Japan around this time of year. Bonenkai parties, or “year forgetting” parties, are popular festivities held by companies where coworkers gather to leave behind troubles and worries in 2013 and start with a fresh year. Moreover, homes are thoroughly cleaned before the holiday and are often decorated with seasonal pine, bamboo, and plum trees. Popular foods for the new year include toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles that symbolize longevity), osechi (in a special jubako box with many layers of food), and mochi (a sticky, glutinous rice dumpling).
Happy Holidays!
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
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New Year kadomatsu image
courtesy of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
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| You are receiving this email webletter because you have signed up to receive information about Japan and Japan-related events from our office. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please email the Japan Information Center at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp. |
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Official website for Consulate General of Japan at Chicago
www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp |
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Shiwasu, the old Japanese name for the month of December, refers to “priests running around,” because they, like most everyone else, are busy preparing for upcoming New Year celebrations.
Every year, the Japan Foundation offers several grants and fellowships to support researchers, educators, scholars, and others doing work related to Japanese culture, language, politics, and more. These grants and fellowships are a great way to strengthen your organization's mission. The deadlines are quickly approaching!
Don't forget, the time has come for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test! Here are some last minute tips:
Are you a U.S. citizen and a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the upcoming year? Have you considered applying to the JET Program? We hope so!
For the month of December, Navy Pier will once again host the delightful 
This year marks the 27th Anniversary of the Japan America Society of Chicago's Bonenkai fundraising event.
The deadline for corporate RSVPs has passed, but individual reservations can be made until December 12. Pre-payment is required. If you cannot attend, but would still like to make a donation, please call (312) 263-3049.
