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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Minazuki, the ancient Japanese name for June, means "water month." From June until early July, heavy rainfall during monsoon season (tsuyu) strikes Japan for a period of about 6 weeks. The rainy season flower, shown in the image accompanying this post, is ajisai or hydrangeas.
In Japan, there are no official holidays in June. Interestingly enough, Cavity Prevention Day (Mushiba no hi) is the start of Dental Hygiene Week at the beginning of the month, although this is not a widely celebrated day. More recently, the third Sunday in June is a time where families honor their fathers for Father's Day.
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| June 4: Former US Ambassador Fujisaki delegation panel in IN COME JOIN US! |
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Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki
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Join the Consulate and the Japan America Society of IN for an exciting and unique opportunity to meet Ambassador Fujisaki and his team of panelists! Engage with the Ambassador and his team members in a stimulating dialogue on Japan-U.S. relations as well as regional and global Japan-related issues. This project is organized by Japan’s Office of the Prime Minister and open to everyone.
The recent visit to Asia by President Barack Obama in April proved to be a historic pivoting or rebalancing of U.S. policies toward Asia. It reflected the rapid and significant political and economic changes in the region.
Prime Minister Abe’s office decided to send special teams to major cities in the United States to discuss various issues against this backdrop. The teams will be comprised of members from a variety of backgrounds, including business executives, professionals and students. They will be selected through an open application process. These teams will be headed by former Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki who represented Japan to the United States until November 2012.
The members are ready to discuss the situation in Asia in general. They are also happy to discuss Japanese policies including Abenomics and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. This is designed to be a two-way dialogue. Your questions and views are most welcome. Please do come, participate, and enjoy!
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
June 4, 2014 (Wed)
4:30 - 6:00 PM
A Networking Reception to follow,
hosted by the Consulate |
Barnes & Thornburg
11 South Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
Event Flyer
● Admission free,
RSVP required |
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| June 7-8: Japan Festival 2014 in Arlington Heights, IL |
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As the largest Japan showcase in the Midwest, the annual Japan Fest is sure to please both newbies and experts on Japanese culture. Such groups as the Aikido Association of America-Japanese Culture Center, the Fuko Kyudojo, and Shidokan Karate will exhibit their martial arts talents while performing arts groups like the Chicago Koto Group, Kokyo Taiko at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, and Na Kupuna Ukulele Club will provide additional entertainment. Moreover, when browsing the exhibits and items in the marketplace, try on the samurai armor we have at the Consulate's booth, learn how to make a violin, and purchase some Japanese collectables like KAWAII Goods. This year, delicious ramen from Slurping Turtle, Ramen Misoya Chicago, Yamachan Ramen, MYOJO Ramen, in addition to meals from Teppan Gourmet and snacks from various Japanese vendors will be available to munch on.
On Saturday night from 5:30 - 7 PM, you can attend a special performances by Daichi (Human Beatbox) and Ayane (Anime/Game Singer)! Daichi's claim to fame has been through the use of technology; reaching over 22 million views from a single video he released on Youtube. To continue this rise in popularity, Daichi competed at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night and was awarded third place. As for Ayane, well-known songs of hers include: "KIZUNA～絆" (theme song to anime "W Wish"), "Nageki no Mori" (theme song to PlayStation 2 game Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Matsuri), "cloudier sky" (theme song to anime AYAKASHI), "Arrival of Tears" (theme song to anime "11 eyes") and several songs of hers are featured in the popular Sci-Fi series "STEINS;GATE." She was also awarded the 2008 Golden Award for her Theme Song in a Bishoujo Game (for the song "Lunatic Tears" from PC game "11 eyes"). Buy your ticket today!
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
June 7-8, 2014 (Sat & Sun)
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sat)
5:30 - 7:00PM (Sat-Special Concert)
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sun) |
Forest View
Educational Center
2121 South Goebbert Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
Event Website
● Admission per day $5,
Concert: $10 adults, free age 18 and under |
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| June 10 (Deadline): 2014-2015 Walter Mondale Scholarship Applications for MN students |
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Mr. Walter Mondale
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The Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM) will award the Mondale Scholarship to Minnesota undergraduate students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel. JASM will offer up to $3,000 in scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year. The selection committee has the discretion to award up to three $1,000 scholarships or two $1,500 scholarships. The awards are specifically to be used for travel to or within Japan before, during, or after the student’s specified term(s) of study.
The selection committee will review all applications and select finalists for interviews. These interviews will be held in the JASM office during June and July. Applicants unable to participate in the interview process may be disqualified by the selection committee.
Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Please click here to begin the Japan America Society of MN's online application form.
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| June 12: 84th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner with the Japan America Society of Chicago |
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Dr. Yusuke Nakamura
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At this year's Anniversary Dinner, the Japan America Society of Chicago welcomes Dr. Yusuke Nakamura, Professor of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology; Professor of Surgery & Deputy Director, Center for Personalized Therapeutics, The University of Chicago to present on “Hope to Fight Against Cancer: Why I Moved to Chicago From Japan?”
For more information about Dr. Yusuke Nakamura, please click here.
*Self Parking available at the garage on the northwest corner of Federal and Van Buren. Special rates are available for guests with tickets that are validated at the Front Desk.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
June 12, 2014 (Thurs)
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Cocktail Reception
7:00 - 9:00 PM: Dinner and Presentations |
Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Blvd.
(Main Lounge, 2nd Floor)
Chicago, IL 60604 |
Event Website
● $150 per person
Tables of 10 for $1,500 |
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| June 16-26: Tomodachi Inouye Scholars from DePaul University as a part of Kakehashi Project |
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The TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars Program is a unique 10-day youth exchange that provides a total of 200 American and Japanese university students (100 American and 100 Japanese) an opportunity to learn about each other’s countries and cultures. Four selected universities in the United States will be paired with a partner Japanese university to facilitate the exchanges.
Twenty-three students and two faculty members from Chicago's DePaul University are planning to visit Tokyo and Kyoto, and exchange with Ritsumeikan University, from June 16-26. These students will give presentations about America on the Ritsumeikan campus as well as in the local community. They will also visit attractions that relate to U.S.-Japan affairs. You can see the participants' introductions at this website and, while they are in Japan, the students activities and photo journals will be regularly updated!
The Japanese students will be visiting the United States during the 2014-2015 academic year. They will visit Los Angeles, CA and Washington D.C. and the local city of their partner university. They will also give presentations and learn about historic and cultural U.S. sites, particularly those related to Japanese Americans.
For more information, please click here.
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| June 23-July 7: Kakehashi Project with University of KS |
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KAKEHASHI - Bridge for Tomorrow is a two-year initiative by the Japanese government within the Youth Exchange Bureau. The purpose of the program is to encourage greater understanding between the youth of Japan and the United States and to foster long-term and ongoing interest in one another by providing firsthand experiences with each other's culture.
The Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Kansas was chosen to organize a KAKEHASHI Project group led by Univ. of KS professor of Japanese literature Maggie Childs and Kansas Consortium for Teaching about Japan Associate Director Nancy Hope. Twenty-three undergraduates from selected Kansas universities will go to Japan through this initiative from June 23 to July 3. Students will visit Tokyo and Shizuoka, and exchange with Shizuoka University. In Tokyo, they will be going to areas like Asakusa, Akihabara, and the national diet building.
Please click on this link for more details on the KAKEHASHI Project.
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| June 26 – July 5: Invitational Group Tour Program for US Educators |
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Since 2008, the Japan Foundation has carried out the “Invitational Group Tour Program for U.S. Educators,” which is targeted at educational leaders such as superintendents and principals of elementary and secondary education institutions and government officials in the U.S. This program aims to invite these educators to Japan and provide them opportunities to learn about Japanese education, culture, and society and to share their opinions with Japanese teachers and local administrators, as well as to deepen their understanding of Japanese-language education.
Among this year’s 15 participants, two principals were chosen from the Midwest to travel to Japan from June 26 until July 5. Congratulations to Miss Katie Crites at Northwood Elementary School in Indiana and Mr. Douglas Revsbeck at Harding High School in Minnesota! This will be their first trip to Japan and we are sure that they will enjoy visiting schools and meeting with teachers and administrators there.
You can read more about the program in this participant's essay here.
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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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Recently at the JIC there have been quite a few requests about introducing Chicago to Japanese people. Inquiries have ranged from “How can I explain the John Hancock to my homestay students?” to “What is the best Chicago omiyage to buy for my upcoming business trip?” to “What local attractions have Japan-America connections?” I am pleased to announce that the latest library addition, 地球の歩き方 シカゴ 2014-15 (Globe –Trotter Travel Guidebook: Chicago 2014-2015) can answer these and many other questions!
Simply put 地球の歩き方 シカゴ (Call Number 700001) is a travel guide of Chicago in Japanese. General features include the history of Chicago, maps, attraction information, survival phrases, and accommodation lists. However, what makes this book exceptional is that it also takes into consideration the Japanese mindset and culture. For example, locally-produced gifts can be much harder to find in the United States than in Japan. In おすすめシカゴみやげ (Recommended Chicago Souvenirs), food, beauty products, and handbags which are truly “Chicago” are featured along with their brief histories, current prices, and purchasing information. シカゴ３大名物料理を食べ尽くそう！ (Chicago’s three most famous foods you must eat) provides tantalizing pictures and details of Chicago’s most well-known dishes for those interested in regional delicacies. Other great additions include synopses of internationally-known movies filmed in the city, Chicago-based Japanese entertainers’ venues, bilingual floor plans for most main attractions and step-by-step photo instructions for renting a Divvy bike and boarding a CTA bus.
While 地球の歩き方 シカゴ is most useful for the Japanese visitor, it can also be utilized as a communication aid for the Chicago guide. Even though the majority of the text is in Japanese, the maps, headings, and index are bilingual thus making it an invaluable resource for both host and guest!
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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!
- Who is the first Japanese International Space Stations astronaut that returned to earth after a six-month mission to space this month?
- What is the name of the campaign in Japan that encourages workers to dress down and substitute their suits and ties for open-necked, short-sleeved shirts?
- By what year will the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Group be offering free Wi-Fi across Japan to foreign visitors?
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Congratulations to Richard Stump, our winner from the May issue! Here are last month's answers: |
• Who recently became the youngest winner in golf ever on the Japan LPGA tour?
Minami Katsu
• Japanese authorities believe they have discovered the original, 1890 text for what historical document?
Imperial Rescript on Education
• The Google Cultural Institute has recently added works by which manga artist for free access?
Osamu Tezuka
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 News in Slow Japanese
Listening to news in any language can be a challenge but, with the right resources, you can learn how to listen to key words and phrases. This month, I selected the News in Slow Japanese website because they discuss important and interesting news topics in simple ways. You can adjust the listening speed to slow or fast/normal level and there is text accompanying the listening to assist with understanding. In the text, a useful pop-up translation feature displays the text in English for more difficult words and phrases while supplementing kana above kanji writing. When selecting news articles, there are a range of beginner to intermediate level sources to choose from. Start enhancing your listening skills today!
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It’s hard to believe that June has arrived already! What plans do you have for the summer?
If traveling to Japan is not within your budget this year, try exploring local options that bring Japan to you in the Midwest. Summer, after all, is full of festivals. You can attend the Japan Fest in Arlington Heights, IL on June 7 & 8, Tanabata in Des Moines, IA in July, while in August, you can be a part of the Lantern Lighting Festival in St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN and the Japan Fest in St. Louis, MO. Additionally, special talks, such as “Summer in Japan, Seasonal Events and Customs” with the Heart of America Japan America Society, provide educational enrichment and fun!
There is always food and drink that help connect cultures. Japanese food is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., so much so that the RedEye has termed the latest food trend a Ramen Revolution! What’s your favorite ramen spot? Here are some suggestions in Chicago. Enjoy your summer and explore what bits of Japan you can find in your neighborhood.
Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
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Fireworks 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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Minazuki, the ancient Japanese name for June, means "water month." From June until early July, heavy rainfall during monsoon season (tsuyu) strikes Japan for a period of about 6 weeks. The rainy season flower, shown in the image accompanying this post, is ajisai or hydrangeas.
As the largest Japan showcase in the Midwest, the annual Japan Fest is sure to please both newbies and experts on Japanese culture. Such groups as the Aikido Association of America-Japanese Culture Center, the Fuko Kyudojo, and Shidokan Karate will exhibit their martial arts talents while performing arts groups like the Chicago Koto Group, Kokyo Taiko at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, and Na Kupuna Ukulele Club will provide additional entertainment. Moreover, when browsing the exhibits and items in the marketplace, try on the samurai armor we have at the Consulate's booth, learn how to make a violin, and purchase some Japanese collectables like KAWAII Goods. This year, delicious ramen from Slurping Turtle, Ramen Misoya Chicago, Yamachan Ramen, MYOJO Ramen, in addition to meals from Teppan Gourmet and snacks from various Japanese vendors will be available to munch on.
The TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars Program is a unique 10-day youth exchange that provides a total of 200 American and Japanese university students (100 American and 100 Japanese) an opportunity to learn about each other’s countries and cultures. Four selected universities in the United States will be paired with a partner Japanese university to facilitate the exchanges.
KAKEHASHI - Bridge for Tomorrow is a two-year initiative by the Japanese government within the Youth Exchange Bureau. The purpose of the program is to encourage greater understanding between the youth of Japan and the United States and to foster long-term and ongoing interest in one another by providing firsthand experiences with each other's culture.
Since 2008, the Japan Foundation has carried out the “Invitational Group Tour Program for U.S. Educators,” which is targeted at educational leaders such as superintendents and principals of elementary and secondary education institutions and government officials in the U.S. This program aims to invite these educators to Japan and provide them opportunities to learn about Japanese education, culture, and society and to share their opinions with Japanese teachers and local administrators, as well as to deepen their understanding of Japanese-language education.
Recently at the JIC there have been quite a few requests about introducing Chicago to Japanese people. Inquiries have ranged from “How can I explain the John Hancock to my homestay students?” to “What is the best Chicago omiyage to buy for my upcoming business trip?” to “What local attractions have Japan-America connections?” I am pleased to announce that the latest library addition, 
