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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 Shimotsuki, the old name for November, means “frost month.” It is approaching the time of year for everyone to prepare for the cold, long winter where frost appears in the mornings.
Culture Day (11/3) and Labor Thanksgiving Day (11/23) are the two national holidays in Japan this month. The current version of Japan's Constitution was announced in 1946 and was first observed in 1948. Culture Day (Bunka no hi) was founded to foster the ideals of this Constitution - peace and freedom - through cultural activities. On this day, the Emperor of Japan presents the Order of Culture to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of science, art, or culture.
Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro kansha no hi) originated from a centuries-old harvest festival called Niinamesai. On this day, American customs during Thanksgiving like gathering with family and feasting on turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie are not practiced. Instead, Labor festivals are often held in cities and drawings are presented to local civil servants to thank them for their hard work throughout the year. It is a time to be thankful for employment and prosperity.
Shichi-go-san (11/15) is not an observed national holiday but it is a popular celebration throughout Japan. 7(shichi)-year-old girls, 5(go)-year-old boys, and 3(san)-year-old boys and girls dress up in traditional clothing for the purpose of visiting shrines. At the shrines, the children and their families pray for health, longevity of life, and happiness.
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| Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) Spotlight |
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Ms. Molly Jeon (left) and
Ms. Hiroko Maekawa (right)
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Hello, I am Hiroko Maekawa. I came to the United States through J-LEAP which is one of the Japan Foundation programs. This is my first time in the United States. I am so excited to teach Japanese to high school students here and experience American life. The school where I am currently working is Bloomington High School North. It is located in Bloomington, Indiana, near Indiana University. This is the only high school in the area with a Japanese course. There are 62 students learning Japanese as a foreign language dispersed across four levels; 1st, 2nd, 3rd year, and AP.
Ms. Molly Jeon is my supervising teacher and has been teaching Japanese for 11 years. She is a really talented person and can sing Japanese traditional folk songs! I am so happy to be here teaching with her. I strongly believe that we are going to teach great Japanese lessons.
I am involved in all of the Japanese language levels, and have many roles in and out of class. One my most important duties as a teaching assistant in class is to model Japanese language. This helps students become better listeners and speakers. Ms. Jeon and I also focus a lot on enhancing writing skills through a listen-and-write exercise. Outside of class, I help students understand Japanese history and culture in greater depth by participating in various club activities. I came here at the beginning of August and will stay until 2015 June. Please contact Ms. Jeon or me if you have any questions about Japan.
Ms. Hiroko Maekawa
Email: hirorin424_mango@yahoo.co.jp
Ms. Molly Jeon
Email: mjeon@mccsc.edu
I recently wrote an article in the Japan Foundations' October 2013 issue of Breeze. Please read more about my position as an assistant language instructor!
Bloomington High School North will also be welcoming a group of KAKEHASHI Project Participants from Japan for a homestay from November 7-10. For more information, please see the KAKEHASHI Project Participants to Visit the Midwest section of this newsletter. Some of Bloomington's students traveled to Japan through the KAKEHASHI Program in July 2013, and you can read all about their experiences here.
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| JET Program Applications Now Available! (deadline 11/26) |
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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 three ways: as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), who team-up with Japanese colleagues to teach English in primary or secondary schools; as Coordinators of International Relations (CIRs), who perform various international and inter-cultural related functions in local government offices; or as Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs), who engage in internationalization activities through the instruction of specific sports.
Please visit the JET Program website to take the first steps toward becoming a JET! The deadline is 5:30PM EST November 26, 2013. Please note that this application should be sent to the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. The Consulate will not accept applications.
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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 this fall!
- Support Program for Translation and Publication on Japan (deadline 11/19)
This program provides support for foreign publishers in conducting projects of translating and/or publishing Japanese works to promote Japanese Studies and a better understanding of Japan.
- 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 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" courses 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, teaching methodology, and 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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| November 2: Mondale Dinner by the Japan America Society of Minnesota |
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Mr. Walter Mondale
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This year, the Japan America Society of Minnesota will celebrate its 16th Annual Mondale Award and Scholarship Dinner Gala. The event celebrates and strengthens the ties between Minnesota and Japan, as embodied by Walter Mondale, the former Minnesota Senator, United States Vice-President, and Ambassador to Japan. This year's event is expected to draw over 175 corporate and individual members and community leaders.
The gala is held to honor an individual who has made "outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota" with the Mondale Award. Additionally, two or three Mondale Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students who attend Minnesota universities and demonstrate a commitment to studying Japan. This year's keynote speaker is Marc Knapper, Director of the U.S. Department of State Office of Japanese Affairs and the Mondale Award nominee is Ms. Yoshie Suzuki Babcock, a teacher at the Sogetsu School of Ikebana who has taught flower arranging for over 30 years.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
November 2, 2013 (Sat)
5:30 - 9 PM |
Oak Ridge Country Club
700 Oak Ridge Road
Hopkins, MN 55305
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Japan America Society of Minnesota
● $100 for members / $125 for non-members
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| November 3-7:KAKEHASHI Project Participants to Visit the Midwest |
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Between May and July 2013, six student groups from across the Midwest went to Japan as part of the KAKEHASHI Project. In exchange, this November 3-7, Chicago will welcome seven groups from Japan as one part of their tour of the US. During the students' stay, they will visit various local schools and organizations as well as notable attractions.
After departing Chicago, the students will travel to various cities throughout the US for a weekend homestay experience. Bloomington High School North in Bloomington, IN will be one of the hosts.
Additionally, on November 5, 2013 the Japan America Society of Chicago will host a KAKEHASHI Project Participant Presentation that will feature students from (Hokkaido) Obihiro Hakuyo High School, (Fukushima) Iwaki Sogoo High School & (Fukushima) Iwaki Middle Schools.
KAKEHASHI Project students will give presentations to help promote Japanese culture and to showcase their hometowns and prefectures. The objective of the program is to promote deeper mutual understanding among the people of Japan and the United States, enable future leaders of Japan-US exchanges to form networks, and help young people develop wider perspectives to encourage active roles at the global level in the future.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
November 5, 2013 (Tues)
6 - 7:30 PM |
Embassy Suites Schaumburg
1939 N Meacham Road,
Valencia/Cordoba Room
Schaumburg, IL 60173 |
Japan America Society of Chicago
● Free admission
● Advanced registration required |
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| November 6-19: Japan Garden Tour by Japan America Society of Minnesota |
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 Gardens have long been viewed as treasured arts of Japan. Greatly admired for their simple beauty and graceful landscaping, the gardens of Japan have fascinated people around the world for centuries. This tour will take travelers to some of the famous gardens and landscaped parks of Japan, as well as some lesser-known spots. This tour is for people who like to travel and carry with them a spirit of exploration and adventure.
The tour will be led by J. Bernard (Ben) van Lierop, executive director of the Japan America Society of Minnesota, and Mary Hockenberry Meyer, professor and horticulturist of the University of Minnesota. Please visit the event website to view details such as eligibility, cost, and the trip itinerary. Although the time has now passed for registration, be sure to check for similar events in the future!
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| November 9: JETAA Chicago Career Forum @ JIC |
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The JET Alumni Association in Chicago is hosting a special Career Forum for JET alumni who have recently returned or are looking for employment opportunities. Several speakers will present on topics like networking, resume-writing, and interviewing. While focused mainly on the career prospects of former JETs, the workshop is FREE and open to anyone who is interested in attending. There will be wine and cheese too...need I say more? Please RSVP on the JETAA Chicago website.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
November 9, 2013 (Sat)
2:00 PM |
Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611 |
JETAA Chicago
● Free admission
● Advanced registration required
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| November 9-16: 2013 Osaka Social Service Exchange Program by Osaka Sister Cities |
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 The Osaka-Chicago Social Services Exchange was an initiative that began in 2008 with a focus on understanding the needs and supports for youth and families, persons with disabilities and older adults. It's main goal is to improve systems and service delivery to these vulnerable populations. The exchange convenes interdisciplinary professionals from both cities to build relationships, deepen cultural understanding and share best practices related to their varied work in human services. Chicago and Osaka have alternated hosting the exchange.
The fourth exchange will take place from November 9 to 16, 2013. Ten interdisciplinary social service professionals have been selected from the metropolitan Chicago area to visit sites and dialogue with Japanese professionals about their culture and best practices in social services. The exchange will conclude with a one-day conference where delegates will have an opportunity to discuss and compare best practices between cultures. Chicago delegates will develop Individual Action Plans to result in concrete outcomes. We hope all of the participants will have a fruitful and exciting trip!
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| November 14: Annual Dinner by the Japan America Society of St. Louis |
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 Now that it is the end of fall and beginning of winter, it is the time of year for various Japan America Societies to hold their annual dinners. One of the first to hold theirs is the Japan America Society of St. Louis. They will be gathering at the Wasabi Five Japanese Restaurant in Warson Woods, Missouri. Be sure to reserve your seat soon!
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| November 21 & 23: Film Screening: “Always Sunset on Third Street - 3” @ JIC |
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Film cover image courtesy
of © 2012 "Always3" Film Partners
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Join us at the JIC for a special movie screening! We will be showing the film on two separate days, so be sure to come!
SYNOPSIS:
The year is 1964. With Tokyo preparing to host the Olympics,
the people of Third Street continue to carry on with their lives,
as colorful and vibrant as ever. The novelist Ryunosuke
Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) has married Hiromi (Koyuki),
and the two now share a happy life with Junnosuke (Kenta
Suga). Meanwhile, Norifumi Suzuki (Shinichi Tsutsumi), his
wife Tomoe (Hiroko Yakushimaru), their only son Ippei (Kazuki
Koshimizu) and their live-in employee Mutsuko Hoshino (Maki
Horikita) have gradually expanded their auto repair business,
which has gotten an impressive makeover. Every morning,
Mutsuko puts on makeup and steps out of her home - all so
she can "happen to" run into and say hello to the young doctor,
Kotaro Kikuchi (Mirai Moriyama). One day, Hiromi discovers a telegram that Chagawa had
hidden. Who sent this telegram? Will Mutsuko's affections be returned? And what future
awaits the people of Third Street?
The film will be in Japanese language with English subtitles. (2012, 142 minutes)
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
November 21, 2013 (Thurs)
6:30 PM
November 23, 2013 (Sat)
2:00 PM |
Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611 |
Event flier
● Free admission
● No reservation required
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| Critical Language Scholarship Application (deadline 11/15) |
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 A program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program offers intensive summer language institutes in thirteen critical foreign languages (including Japanese). The selection process is administered by American Councils for International Education with awards approved by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The CLS Program is administered by American Councils and The Ohio State University.
Program costs – airfare, tuition, room and board, cultural program expenses, overseas health benefits, and applicable visa fees – are fully covered for all participants. Participants receive a small stipend to cover incidental expenses and meals not provided by the program. The CLS Program provides undergraduate academic credit through Bryn Mawr College. Upon completion of the program, participants also receive a certified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score.
Visit the CLS website to get started on your application!
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| PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) Application Stage 1 (deadline 12/9) |
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 The University of Tokyo is proud to announce its new PEAK programs, the first undergraduate degree programs at the University to be taught entirely in English. Two courses have been available since October 2012:
The International Program on Japan in East Asia
The International Program on Environmental Sciences
Both of these programs are interdisciplinary degree programs consisting of two years of liberal arts study in the Junior Division and two years of specialization in the Senior Division. All of the courses available as part of these programs are delivered entirely in English. There is no Japanese language requirement to join either of the programs, but studying Japanese is an important part of the program and Japanese language classes are mandatory during the Junior Division for both programs.
Stop by the PEAK website for program details!
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| 2013 BioKyowa Visiting Japanese Scholar Selected |
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The Center for Faulkner Studies at Southeast Missouri State University has announced the selection of Dr. Satoshi Kanazawa, professor of letters at Kyoto Prefectural University, where he has taught since 2007.
The BioKyowa Visiting Japanese Scholar Program is designed to honor the special relationship that author William Faulkner developed with citizens of Japan during an official visit to the country on behalf of the U.S. Department of State in 1955. Since then, almost all of Faulkner's works have been published in Japanese translations, and today there is a thriving interest in Faulkner’s works among Japanese readers and scholars.
Kanazawa holds bachelor of arts, master of arts and doctoral degrees in literature from Kyoto University. He is author of one book-length study of Faulkner, “Faulkner’s A Fable: Legacy of an Unknown Soldier,” as well as more than a dozen journal articles on the Nobel Prize-winning author.
Kanazawa’s most recent publication is a chapter on Eudora Welty in the book, “Aging Politics in American Literature,” published in 2012. He is an active participant in a number of professional organizations, including the William Faulkner Society of Japan, the American Literature Society of Japan and the Kyoto University English Society. This information is courtesy of Southeast Missouri State University
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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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Everyone likes to receive and to give a gift because it makes both the recipient and the giver happy. A gift is special. There are many kinds of gifts. Some gifts are small but sentimental. Others are extravagant and sometimes very costly. Some gifts are given spontaneously, and others are given with a lot of thought and care. This story is about a most precious gift that was given with love, thought, and courage. The giver of this gift was an obscure Japanese diplomat whose name was Chiune Sugihara...
And so begins The Gift of Life, a biographical account of Consul General Sugihara and the newest addition to the JIC Library. In 1940, while Vice Consul at the Japanese Consulate in Kaunas, Lithuania, Chiune (Sempo) Sugihara would make a life-changing decision – he would defy government regulations and write thousands of Japanese transit visas for Jewish refugees who had escaped Poland while fleeing from Nazi Germany. The official number of visas Sugihara-san issued was 2139 however because children did not need separate visas, the number of known lives that he saved exceeds 6000.
The Gift of Life (Call Number 335030) was written by Anne Akabori at the request of Sugihara’s oldest son, Hiroki and published ten years after the English edition of his mother’s memoirs Visas for Life (Call 335020). While much of the information is redundant in both books, they should be read together because each provides a different perspective and additional facts. Whereas Visas for Life is a first-person narrative focusing primarily on the events surrounding the “Incident in Lithuania,” The Gift of Life chronicles Sugihara’s early life and the numerous factors that shaped both his character and career. Additionally, it highlights some of the remarkable stories of escape and survival of those on “Sugihara’s List.” One point of note: in The Gift of Life Anne Akabori states that “Chiune” can be translated as “an infinite number of new lives” – a claim that kanji learners may find to be too much of a stretch in the translation.
Chiune Sugihara’s story is truly remarkable. It is about an individual who stands up for what he believes in no matter the repercussions (the Sugihara family would become POWs in a Russian internment camp and later Chiune, himself, would have to leave his job at the Ministry). It is the story of self-sacrifice and love for one’s country and fellow man and it shows how the actions of one can impact thousands. In fact, today it is estimated that there are over 100,000 individuals who can trace their ancestry to the holders of a visa written by an obscure Japanese diplomat whose name was Chiune Sugihara.
Author’s note:
A third text about Chiune Sugihara is also available in the JIC library. “The Souvenir Booklet from the 21st Century Anniversary Exhibit : The Legacy of Chiune Sugihara” is available in the library’s resource section. This booklet can viewed only during library hours and is not available for loan.
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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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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!
- What item is a prospective listing to become an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage item in Japan?
- From what grade will English start being taught in Japanese schools?
- Which popular Japanese television program announced it will end next March, after 3 decades on air?
October Poem:
Congratulations to Nick Bond who composed a beautiful haiku for us! |
散る落ち葉 Falling leaves
至る所に Scattered everywhere
紅葉狩り Collecting and viewing them
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 World x Friends: The Japan Foundation’s Blog & Lang-8
All right JLPT challengers, are you ready for the test next month? For this issue, I have selected two final sources to push your potential to the fullest. First, the Japan Foundation's Blog is conveniently written in both Japanese and English. That way, you can compare and contrast sentence patterns in both written languages. It is updated frequently and utilizes vocabulary words that are useful to know when understanding current events.
The second website I chose is Lang-8. On the website, you can compose your own writings in Japanese and have native speakers check your work and make corrections for you. That way, you can target trouble areas and become more comfortable in using the language yourself to articulate complex ideas. You can also look up other items composed by other participants in Japanese to practice reading and see where they made mistakes. In exchange, you should make corrections to other members’ entries who write in your native language to accumulate more points and credibility. Sign up and get to writing!
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There are so many great events happening this November that I urge you to brave the cold, throw on your winter boots, don your heavy duty winter gear, and join in! This is the Midwest after all...and we are no strangers to winter!
It is a busy month, and the JIC is excited to be having a career forum for JET alum and a film screening. KAKEHASHI Project students from Japan will give presentations throughout the Midwest and we are pleased to have the opportunity to host a reception for them on November 6th. Gatherings like the Mondale Award Dinner and Reception by the Japan America Society of Minnesota and the Annual Dinner by the Japan America Society of St. Louis will bring everyone together for a chance to celebrate. And we have the American traditions of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving to look forward to, too. Good luck to those of you taking the JLPT on December 1st! Until the next issue...
Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
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Children's Day 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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Shimotsuki, the old name for November, means “frost month.” It is approaching the time of year for everyone to prepare for the cold, long winter where frost appears in the mornings.
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!
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 this fall!
Between May and July 2013, six student groups from across the Midwest went to Japan as part of the KAKEHASHI Project. In exchange, this November 3-7, Chicago will welcome seven groups from Japan as one part of their tour of the US. During the students' stay, they will visit various local schools and organizations as well as notable attractions.
Gardens have long been viewed as treasured arts of Japan. Greatly admired for their simple beauty and graceful landscaping, the gardens of Japan have fascinated people around the world for centuries. This tour will take travelers to some of the famous gardens and landscaped parks of Japan, as well as some lesser-known spots. This tour is for people who like to travel and carry with them a spirit of exploration and adventure.
The JET Alumni Association in Chicago is hosting a special Career Forum for JET alumni who have recently returned or are looking for employment opportunities. Several speakers will present on topics like networking, resume-writing, and interviewing. While focused mainly on the career prospects of former JETs, the workshop is FREE and open to anyone who is interested in attending. There will be wine and cheese too...need I say more? Please RSVP on the JETAA Chicago website.
The Osaka-Chicago Social Services Exchange was an initiative that began in 2008 with a focus on understanding the needs and supports for youth and families, persons with disabilities and older adults. It's main goal is to improve systems and service delivery to these vulnerable populations. The exchange convenes interdisciplinary professionals from both cities to build relationships, deepen cultural understanding and share best practices related to their varied work in human services. Chicago and Osaka have alternated hosting the exchange.
Now that it is the end of fall and beginning of winter, it is the time of year for various Japan America Societies to hold their annual dinners. One of the first to hold theirs is the Japan America Society of St. Louis. They will be gathering at the Wasabi Five Japanese Restaurant in Warson Woods, Missouri. Be sure to reserve your seat soon!
A program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program offers intensive summer language institutes in thirteen critical foreign languages (including Japanese). The selection process is administered by American Councils for International Education with awards approved by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The CLS Program is administered by American Councils and The Ohio State University.
The University of Tokyo is proud to announce its new PEAK programs, the first undergraduate degree programs at the University to be taught entirely in English. Two courses have been available since October 2012:
