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 on 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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Minazuki, the old Japanese name for the month of June, means "water month." June - early July is monsoon season (tsuyu), where heavy rainfall occurs for a period of about 6 weeks throughout Japan. This website details average weather and precipitation patterns in Tokyo.

There are no official holidays in June, but Cavity Prevention Day (Mushiba no hi) is the start of Dental Hygiene Week at the beginning of the month. Additionally, Father's Day, the third Sunday in June, is increasingly becoming a popular day for families to celebrate.

“Japan is back,” declared Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, in a major speech in Washington this year. It may well be that the country’s ‘lost decade’ of persistent low growth and deflation has come to an end, bolstered by his ‘Abenomics’—a three-pronged strategy of bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy, and structural reforms. Yet the country is facing several other hurdles. Domestically, it is experiencing the economic and social costs of an aging population and the ongoing recovery following the 2011 tsunami. Moreover, Asia’s geopolitical environment remains challenging, as highlighted by the intensified regional territorial disputes and North Korea’s nuclear program. What does the future hold for Japan? Please join The Chicago Council on Global Affairs for a discussion with Japan's new ambassador on his country’s economic and foreign policy priorities.

Hopefully, everyone has started their applications for the 2014 Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarships for Research, Undergraduate, and Specialized Training for College Students! These scholarships can enhance your Japanese language abilities while providing you academic and professional skills training in Japan. All applications must be in the Consulate's possession no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, June 7.

Visit the MEXT Scholarships portion of our website for application details and guidelines.

Summer is the time of year for festivals and celebrations galore! The Japan Festival is a yearly event sponsored by the Mid-America Japanese Club and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago in partnership with District 214 Community Education.

On two stages, entertainment will include classical Japanese drums, taiko, koto, martial arts, and more. Japanese food will also be served throughout both days. Different demonstrations like katana swords, tea ceremony, and Paro the therapeutic robot will be among the must see attractions for the weekend. You will also have the opportunity to meet NASCAR driver Akinori Ogata.

The Japan America Society of Indiana is celebrating it's 25th Anniversary this year! All proceeds from this event will go toward continuing to promote friendship, exchange, and cooperation between Indiana and Japan. Honorable guests include the Honorable Mike Pence (Governor of the State of Indiana), the Honorable Masaharu Yoshida (Consul General of Japan at Chicago), and Mr. Robert H. Reynolds, Honorary Consul General of Japan at Indianapolis and recent Order of the Rising Sun recipient. Yasokichi Konishiki, the afore mentioned sumo star and performer, will also be the special guest at this event. Please visit the website link to place your reservation today.

This year, the Japan America Society of Chicago is celebrating 83 years of US-Japan friendship. Come join members for a dinner, refreshments, and conversation for a chance to discuss Japanese culture and US-Japan relations. A keynote address titled "Learning from the Past to Create Japan's Future in Jackson Park, Chicago" will be given by guest speaker Kulapat Yantrasast (Architect, Cofounder and Principal of wHY Architecture). Make sure to visit the Japan America Society's website to purchase your ticket and reserve your seat for an event you will not want to miss!

Highlighted Resources is a column written by JIC librarian Emily Toelcke that features notable library materials we offer per month.

New Additions, also written by Emily Toelcke, showcases the latest materials we have received in the JIC collection.

Here are three questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!

1. This month, Yuichiro Miura was the oldest man to do what?
2. Which Japanese film (film name and director's name) received the Prix du Jury at the 2013 Canne International Film Festival?
3. What symbolic gift of recovery was given to the town of Minamisanriku by Chile?

Answers from the March Quiz:
Congratulations (again!) to Daniel W. Honzik for answering all questions correctly in our May issue.

Japanese Recipes from allrecipes.com

I love Japanese food. So much so that I often find myself nostalgic of some of the great eats I had when living in Japan. With wonderful resources in the Midwest like Mitsuwa Marketplace (IL), One World Market (IN), or Oriental Shop (WI), I want to shop for ingredients with a purpose. I think this month I am going to try my hand at making some of my culinary favorites.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to do the same! If you have a particular dish or have created a culinary masterpiece yourself that you would like to share with us (photos optional), send it to me at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp. There are so many delicious choices...I am not sure which ones I will end up trying. I'll keep everyone posted!

Summer is here! ☼ ☀ ☼ ☀ ☼ ☀ ☼

As many of you may know, under "Abenomics," or the economic policies being enacted by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet, the price of the yen is lower. This makes it extremely favorable to the US dollar right now. As a result, foreign travel to Japan is soaring. These articles from the Japan Times that were posted on our Twitter in March and in April and this article from CNNMoney discuss the positive impacts of "Abenomics" thus far.

The JIC has materials for you if you plan on travelling to Japan this summer. We recently updated our free resources request page and can provide you with information on prefectures, cities, or towns you are intending to visit. Furthermore, The Japan National Tourism Organization is an invaluable source with travel tips to help you plan. Enjoy your visit!

Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)