The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago (CGOJ) 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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Satsuki, or the traditional term for May, means "rice sprout month." In rural areas, May is the month that rice sprouts start to peak out of the ground and begin to grow.

As mentioned in the previous issue, Golden Week in Japan starts at the end of April and lasts until May 5th. Aside from traveling to popular destinations like Okinawa or Hawaii, many Japanese attend different matsuri (festivals) in their hometowns or big cities that celebrate themes like nature and children (for Greenery Day and Children's Day). Mother's Day has emerged more recently as a holiday and always occurs on the second Sunday of May.

The application period for the 2014 Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) Scholarships for Research, Specialized Training, and Undergraduate Students is now open. From now through Friday, June 7, 2013 all students, scholars, and others who would be interested in going to Japan for research or training purposes should visit the Monbukagakusho Scholarships portion of our website.

These competitive scholarships grant participants the opportunity to spend an extended period of time in Japan to enhance their abilities, conduct research, or acquire new skills. All documents must be received by Friday, June 7, 2013 at the JIC office, so please mail your application well in advance to ensure it arrives here in time! Best of luck to you all!

The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago and the Japan America Society of Chicago are hosting a special kimono event at the Japan Information Center. The lecture will be given by Associate Professor Emerita and former director of the Japan House at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kimiko Gunji. Toshie Sasada, a lecturer from the famous Hakubi Kyoto school, will showcase formal kimono and yukata (cotton kimono) for both sexes in the demonstration. The evening's plans also include a Q&A session.

This event is free, but reservations are required. Please e-mail your full name, organization or company you are employed at, phone number, and e-mail address to jic@cg.mofa.go.jp by Friday, May 3, 2013 to ensure your spot. This event is limited to 40 participants and will be conducted in English.

The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago is hosting an exhibition until Friday, May 10, 2013 that celebrates the calligraphy of Teshima Yūkei and his original disciples Nakagawa Kyōji, Takeuchi Hōsen, and Teshima Tairiku. Shōsho combines elements of Shodō (literally 'the way of writing' influenced by Chinese script that entered Japan around the 5th century) with contemporary notions of artistic image - where elements like technique, selection of a single kanji, and art medium convey meaning to an audience even for those unable to read the character. These artworks have been exhibited internationally in China, Europe, South America, and North America and are now here in Chicago for one month only!

This exhibition commemorates one half-century of this calligraphy form and a quarter century since the passing of its founder. Please refer to our flier and website link below to learn more about this exciting event.

CelebrAsian is a one-day, free to the public event sponsored by the Iowa Asian Alliance (IAA). The event will showcase the diverse cultural traditions of Asian and Asian-American communities residing in the State of Iowa. The Japan America Society of Iowa and the Consulate General of Japan will host a Japan booth at this event.

Additionally, the IAA will be hosting the third annual IowAsia Business Summit on Friday, May 10th, 2013. This event brings together strategic partners to facilitate business and investment opportunities between Iowa and Asia.

It's that time of the year again to celebrate Japanese popular culture and fun at Anime Central (ACen)! This year marks the 16th anniversary for Midwesterners to come together and enjoy three days jam-packed with anime, manga, J-pop/rock, and more. Annually averaging anywhere between 15,000 to 20,000 attendees, ACen is the place to be for any and all Japanese culture enthusiasts. Refer to their website for information on this year's guests in the anime and manga industry.

Once you are there, be sure to stop by the Consulate's booth to say hi. We will have information about the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and can provide you with recommendations to fulfill your Japanese culture needs!
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We additionally will have a special presentation at ACen given by Associate Professor Jason Jones (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) tentatively titled "Godzilla: Forever King of the Monsters" on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 12:45 to 1:45 PM.

Brief Description: Godzilla stands as a sign of Japan’s resilience. The green monster is a symbol of endless destruction as well as the opportunity for long-lasting peace. This presentation will guide you through the original Godzilla and the films it spawned, in search of an answer to the question of why Godzilla is now too King of the Monsters. We will also explore how the films remain tightly interwoven with Japanese language, culture, and history, thus making a deep understanding of these elements requisite to gaining full appreciation for Godzilla and all manner of Japanese manga, anime, literature, video games and film.

Founded in 2007 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the purpose of this award is to expand international exchange and mutual understanding through manga culture that is widely accepted globally. This award honors manga artists who contribute to the continuation and development of manga culture throughout the world.

The Application Period is from April 15 – May 31, 2013, but if sending the application to the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, applications MUST be received here by May 20, 2013 for consideration to the following address:

This year's National Association of Foreign Student Advisers' (NAFSA) 65th Annual Conference & Expo will be held in St. Louis, MO! Annually, the NAFSA Conference brings together more than 8,000 professionals in the field of international education for five full days of training workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and special events.

The Consulate will supply a JET Program table with information on teaching in Japan and the Japanese education system.

What's New in the Library is a monthly column written by JIC librarian Emily Toelcke.

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

1. What prank did Kodansha play on April Fool's with an e-reader?
2. What Japanese theatre form turned 100 this month?
3. What race did Takuma Sato win, making him the first Japanese person to do so?

Answers from the March Quiz:
Congratulations to Sue Mehaffey - the winner this month!

MOTTAINAI Campaign

Given that in the United States April 22 was "Earth Day" and May 4 is "Greenery Day" (midori no hi) in Japan, I thought it would be appropriate in this issue to discuss the Mottainai movement. Professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya, ever since first hearing the word in an interview, proposed that this word be spread around the world in support of environmental conservation.

Resources in the world are limited, and becoming increasingly so everyday. Mottainai means, in order to achieve high levels of sustainability globally, we need to use our scarce resources in the most efficient ways possible. The 3Rs (Reduce waste, Reuse finite resources, and Recycle) plus Respect for each other and the Mottainai movement are critical steps we can take to improve the world around us. So next time you use wooden chopsticks, for example, think about reusing them again for another meal or consider purchasing a stylish pair that can be washed and reused indefinitely!

Hello everyone! Unlike April - hopefully May will be warmer with more predictable weather forecasts!

When browsing for happenings in the Midwest to add to our events calendar and this newsletter, I found a multitude of interesting museum exhibits related to Japanese culture that are starting or ending this month. Be sure to visit our Kimono Lecture and Demonstration and the Shōsho Exhibition at the beginning of the month along with some of these attractions, as many of them are free and only around for a limited time!

We are also currently working on our Twitter page to enhance the potential of this social media resource. Stop by our page and please direct any suggestions you may have to our JIC email address.

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