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Vol. 10 No. 9 - September 2015
The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves to be a useful, interesting, and exciting window for you into 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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In This Issue
This Month in Japan
Special Announcements
JIC Library
Fun Features
Editor's Note  
   
Highlighted
Cultural Events		 Please click through to our Events Calendar for a full list of events, as well as information about events in the coming months!
Economic News
 
Political News
Tomodachi Abenomics

Government Northern

Takeshima JapanChina

Abduction Highlighting

 
This Month in Japan
Koyomi Nagatsuki is the shortened form of Yonagazuki, meaning "long-night month” for what is today the month of September. Tsukimi or "Moon-viewing" parties are popular today but originally began in the Heian Era (794-1185 CE) to honor harvests and the beauty of the moon. At tsukimi celebrations, many feast on dumplings and celebrate the coming of autumn.

This month, two national holidays including Keiro no hi, or Respect for the Aged Day, and Autumnal Equinox Day are observed.

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Special Announcements
September 1-9: 2015 St. Louis Ishinomaki Friendship Program
2014 Americans who visited Ishinomaki
Image courtesy of
JASL
Ishinomaki
In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, the US-Japan Council and the US Embassy in Tokyo partnered to create the TOMODACHI Initiative to support Japan’s recovery. Among their efforts, TOMODACHI and the National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS) established the NAJAS/TOMODACHI Grassroots Exchange Program in order to invest in the next generation of Japanese and American people and deepen relations between the two countries through grassroots level, people-to-people exchanges. This exchange program in St. Louis is conducted by the Japan America Society of St. Louis (JASL) with support from the aforementioned organizations.

From September 1-9, the Japan-America Society of St. Louis will welcome eight Japanese visitors. The Japanese group includes six students ages 13-18 and two adults who helped with recovery efforts in Ishinomaki as volunteers after the March 11 disaster. During their one week visit to St. Louis, the Japanese guests will stay with American host families and participate in the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) over the Labor Day weekend holiday. This annual festival attracts 35,000-45,000 visitors and is one of the oldest and largest Japanese festivals in the U.S. The Japanese Garden opened to the public in 1976 and it is the largest Japanese garden in North America.

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September 5-7: St. Louis Japanese Festival
2014 Kendo martial arts demonstration
Image courtesy of
Missouri Botanical Garden
Clone
Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States.

Since 1977, the Missouri Botanical Garden has produced the annual Japanese Festival in conjunction with the Japanese Activities Committee, a coalition of several Japanese-American organizations that provide art, dance, food and entertainment for thousands of visitors each year. The celebration kicks off Saturday morning with a lively performance by taiko drummers at the Japanese Garden entrance and concludes Monday evening at 5 PM. Festival highlights include guided walking tours of the Japanese gardens, craft displays and demonstrations like bonsai, origami, martial arts, musical performances, anime, karaoke, night candlelight walks, and more! Delicious Japanese foods will also be available for purchase.

Dates and Times Location Information
September 5-7
(Sat-Mon)
Sat & Sun: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Mon: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM		 Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63110		 Event Website
Admission: $15 (ages 13+)
$5 (ages 3-12)
$5 Garden members (free for member children 3-12)

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September 10: Japanese Picture Book Reading Group
A group of parents and children gather monthly in the JIC to promote reading Japanese books together! The focus is mostly on elementary picture books and it is requested that all who wish to participate bring one of their favorite (or their child's favorite!) books with them to the meeting. You may also bring in light snacks and drinks for children to enjoy. More information regarding details like parking is outlined when accessing the link below.

Date and Time Location Information
September 10 (Thurs)
10:30 AM-1:00 PM		 Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611		 Reading Group Flyer


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September 11-12: Open House at the Japanese Culture Center in Chicago, IL
JCC Event Banner
Image courtesy of
JCC
JCCOpen
The Aikido International Foundation (AIF) is proud to present the Japanese Culture Center (JCC) Open House featuring special guest Ms. Seiran Chiba! Ms. Chiba is a shodo (way of the brush) artist that specializes in large-scale calligraphies. She has become the Fukushima Tourism Ambassador and continues to hold workshops at temporary housing where some of the disaster victims still live.

Visitors can look forward to a Taiko (Japanese drumming) performance by Tsukasa Taiko, and demonstrations in the following:
  • Aikido by the Aikido Association of America and the DePaul Aikido Club
  • Bujinkan Taijitsu
  • Capoeira by Grupo Capoeira Brasil
  • Shotokan Karate by JKA Chicago
  • Shuri Ryu Karate
  • Shuriken Jutsu (shrunken throwing) by an affiliate of Meifu Shinkage Ryu
  • Stretching, Zen Meditation, and Breathwork
  • Swordsmanship via Iaido by Mugai Ryu Chicago
  • and more!
There will also be cultural activities on the second floor of the JCC including:
  • Authentic Japanese sword table
  • Anime artist, Marianne Streeter
  • Origami table
  • Representatives of Anime Chicago, DAVIDsTEA, MyFit Foods
  • and more!
Following the open house, from 4 - 6 PM, there will be a private party and raffle with all contributions awarded to the AIF (501c-3 non-for-profit).

The raffle drawing will include items generously presented by the following donors:
  • Bittersweet
  • Chicago Comics
  • Crosell & Co (Home Goods)
  • Dark Matter Coffee
  • Davids Tea
  • Japanese Culture Center
  • JKA Chicago
  • Mugai Ryu Chicago
  • Pastorelli Foods
  • Ukai's
  • Roto Fugi
  • Yolanda Lorente, Ltd.
  • and more!
Each raffle ticket is a $10.00 donation, 3 tickets are $25.00. Tickets can be acquired via the JCC Office or the AIF webpage. You do not have to be present at the time of the raffle to purchase tickets or to win!

Date and Time Location Information
September 12 (Sat)
12:00-4:00 PM		 Japanese Culture Center
1016 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657		 Event Website
Admission: FREE

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September 14-18: "Walk in U.S., Talk in Japan" by Ambassador Sakaba with the Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM), the Japan America Society of Wisconsin (JASW), Japan House at the Univ. of IL-Urbana-Champaign, and the Japan America Society of Chicago (JASC)
Mr. Sakaba
Image courtesy of
JASC
Sakaba
"Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan" is a program which has sent groups of Japanese to different parts of the U.S. to discuss the strengths and appeal of Japan since 2014. The group members always come from diverse backgrounds and the group visiting St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Chicago this time includes a former ambassador, a former trading company employee, a city official, an entrepreneur and a student. The group will meet with local communities and Japan-related organizations to exchange opinions and relations with Japan. Questions and open dialogue are encouraged.

About the Presenters: Mr. Sakaba formerly served as the Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam and the Kingdom of Belgium, and has also served as the Consul-General of Japan in Chicago. He is currently a Professor of International Politics at the Yokohama City University.

Mr. Shigeoka is the former president of Itochu Petroleum Co., USA., with extensive fuel distributing business experience in North America.

Dates and Times Locations Information
September 14-15 (Mon-Fri) Please visit the JASM Event Website for the three locations for talks in St. Paul and Minneapolis
Please stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages for information on the JASW Event and Japan House Event
Chicago: Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000 Chicago, IL 60626		 JASC Event Website


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September 18 [deadline]: 2016 Japanese American Leadership Delegation to Japan
2014 JALD participants
Image courtesy of
U.S.-Japan Council
2015JALD
The Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) program run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan and the U.S.-Japan Council provides the opportunity for a select group of Japanese American leaders from across the United States to travel to Japan to engage with Japanese leaders in the business, government, academic, non-profit and cultural sectors. The trip also allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding of multi-cultural America, by having the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of Japanese Americans. Individuals selected must be able to travel from March 7-15, 2014 and attend a mandatory orientation in Los Angeles on January 24-25, 2014.

Upon completion of the program, delegates will:

Improve understanding and strengthen long-term relations between Japanese Americans and Japan. Develop and implement ongoing strategies to expand the role of Japanese Americans in advancing U.S.-Japan relations. Develop a network of Japanese American leaders that will continue to advance long term U.S.-Japan relations, at the regional, national and international levels. Apply today! The deadline is September 18, 2015.

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September 25- October 3: Asian American Leadership Delegation trip to Japan
2014 AALD participants
Image courtesy of
U.S.-Japan Council
LanternLighting
Today, there is a growing number of Asian American elected officials who are influential representatives of their state districts and also active in their respective communities. The U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) works with these leaders to broaden the understanding of the U.S.-Japan relationship in United States legislative bodies and to foster connections among diverse Asian American leaders and Japanese government, business and civil society leaders.

After taking part in The Asian American Leadership Delegation (AALD) program, participants will have opportunities to continue pursuing an active role in U.S.-Japan relations by connecting with USJC’s extensive international, national and regional networks. The Council will also continue its collaboration with the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators and the National Conference of State Legislatures. There is a network already in place for the delegates to further their interests in U.S.-Japan relations, and USJC encourages them to remain connected.

In 2015, six Asian American state legislators will travel to Kyoto and Tokyo for one week from September 25 to October 3. During this time, the legislators will meet with Japanese national and local political leaders, business executives and community organizers.

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September 25: Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Registration Closes
JLPT The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) takes place annually in December and this year, registration opens at the end of August. The JLPT measures comprehensive Japanese-language understanding within the following categories: "Language Knowledge," "Reading," and "Listening." There are five levels offered, with N5 being the least difficult and N1 being the most challenging. The test is often used as a benchmark to indicate a level of language proficiency.

The American Association of Teachers of Japanese website has more information on the signing up for the test and provides useful advice on what steps you can take to prepare for the exam.

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September 25: Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session @ JIC
JET The Japan Information Center will be hosting a Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Information Session that is open to anyone interested in learning more about the government-sponsored JET Program. At the session, two representatives from the Consulate will be there to answer any and all questions you may have and give a brief overview of the program. For those not familiar, participants in the JET Program teach English at middle or high schools in Japan as assistant language teachers, or work at local government offices on international exchange activities. If this sounds like an employment opportunity you are interested in, mark your calendars for the Information Session!

Date Location Information
September 26 (Sat)
1:00 - 5:00 PM		 Japan Information Center
737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611		 JET Program Website


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Japan Foundation Grants
JFGrants

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Other Scholarships and Programs

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JIC Library
JICLIB


Highlighted Resources
This month's Highlighted Resources was written by JIC Librarian Ella McCann and features a notable library item we are recommending this month.
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JLibrary
The school year is just around the corner, and whether it’s studying for the Japanese Proficiency Exam (JLPT) or studying Japanese in school, the JIC library has something for everyone! We have five* sections dedicated to studying Japanese ranging from textbooks to phrasebooks, all guaranteed to help study the Japanese language. This month I will introduce three different series that will address a different aspect of studying Japanese.

The first book is Genki 2 (call number 534092) from The Japan Times Genki Series. This textbook serves as a guide as it takes the reader through romaji, hiragana, katakana and kanji. Genki covers three important components of language learning: reading, writing & listening. The fourth component, speaking, can also be achieved if you read the text aloud with the CD. The book is divided into sections that will help you address not only grammatical points, but also cultural points, such as going on vacation and giving omiyage (gifts) when you return. Personally, I used this book in my Japanese classes and remember how easy it was to use in class and at home. It will surely help readers have a Genki attitude towards studying Japanese!

JLibrary
Next is the series “Remembering the Kanji” (call numbers 536010-12). This series contains three books, each aiming to help the reader conquer a new level of learning Kanji. It is separated into writing reading and writing/reading for upper level kanji. One of the strong points that I like about this series is the way it shows patterns in Kanji. Learning the patterns makes it easier to remember and figure out new kanji. JLibrary


The third series, JLPT (N1-N5) Japanese Language Proficiency Test: Trial Examination Questions (call number 537019) is geared towards individuals studying for the Japanese Proficiency Exam (JLPT). This series was designed with the Japan Foundation and JEES to help people who will be taking the test. As the test is coming up in December (more information on how to register here) it is a good time to start studying for any level. This series features one practice exam per book, along with an explanation of the answers in the back. This is a good series to test what level to take or to figure out scores prior to the actual test.

*Sections:
  1. Business Japanese
  2. Textbooks
  3. Vocabulary & Grammar
  4. Kanji
  5. Tests

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New Additions
New Additions, compiled by Ella McCann, showcases the latest materials we have received in the JIC collection.
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Title Author Language Call Number
Japanese Color Prints The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints English 135055
Genki 2 Second Edition The Japan Times Japanese, English 534092
Genki 2 Second Edition [Answer Key] The Japan Times Japanese, English 534093
Ouka no kioku Kawano Yuko Japanese 554030
Mosugu geshi da Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554031
Meibusu no chihei Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554032
Gendai tanka bunko 9 Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554033
Gendai tanka bunko 10 Kawano Yuko Japanese 554034
Gendai tanka bunko 58 Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554035
Gendai tanka bunko 70 Kawano Yuko Japanese 554036
Gendai tanka bunko 113 Kawano Yuko Japanese 554037
Gendai tanka bunko 113 Kawano Yuko Japanese 554037
Shin hyakunin issei Okai Takashi

Baba Akiko

Nagata Kazuhiro

Homura Hiroshi		 Japanese 554038
Tanpakushitsu no isshou Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 142015
Hyogen no kissui Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554039
Kaiseki tankaron Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554040
Uta no saijiki Kawano Yuko Japanese 554041
Showa no kajintachi Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554042
Shinju tekiteki Nagata Kazuhiro Japanese 554043
Tatoeba kimi Kawano Yuko

Nagata Kazuhiro		 Japanese 554044
Kazoku no uta "Kawano Yuko no shi wo mitsumeta 344 hi" Kawano Yuko

Nagata Kazuhiro

Nagata Jun

Nagata Ko

Ueda Yuko		 Japanese 554045
Kazoku no uta Kawano Yuko

Nagata Kazuhiro

Nagata Jun

Nagata Ko

Ueda Yuko		 Japanese 554046
Chinoree Ben Enta The Japan House, UIUC English 310091
Monthly Origami Magazine 2015.8 #480 NOA Japanese 134158

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Fun Features
Last Month in Japan
Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers to Amy Klouse at amy.klouse@cg.mofa.go.jp for a chance to win a small prize!
  1. What is Kounotori 5?
  2. Which Japanese clothing company is starting to offer employees 4-day work weeks?
  3. What type of Japanese traditional theatre debuted at Las Vegas’ Bellagio this month?
--------------------------

Congratulations to Elena Osinskaya, the winner from our August issue! Here are the answers:

• What was the name of the Nintendo CEO who passed away this month from cancer?
Satoru Iwata

• What is the title of Miyazaki’s first completely computer generated movie that will be about 10 minutes long?
Boro, the caterpillar

• Tokyo is opening a bookshop/hostel in September 2015. What will the name be?
Book and Bed Tokyo

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Website Highlight
WebHighProject 120 Chicago

Jackson Park, the home of the Garden of the Phoenix in Chicago, is being remodeled to turn the space into what the great urban landscaper Frederick Law Olmsted envisioned in the late 1800s. With collaboration between such organizations and individuals as the Project 120 board, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Yoko Ono, and the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, 4 projects (Olmsted natural areas, SKY LANDING, Phoenix Pavilion & Music Court, The Great Lawn) and the reconstruction of Washington Park have been combined into one framework known as Project 120 Chicago. Visit the website to learn more about this initiative!

On the afternoon of August 26, it was announced that original Japanese sliding door (fusuma) paintings from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition were discovered in a Chicago Park District storage facility. In the words of Mayor Rahm Emanuel: “At a time when we are working to honor Jackson Park’s historic past by revitalizing the park to restore Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision, it is a thrilling development to have found original artwork from the 1893 Exposition."

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Editor's Note
September marks the start of the school year for many of our readers, with students kicking off the fall season enrolling in fresh and challenging courses. For those not taking classes (or even for those who are!), why not try something new this month?

The Japanese Culture Center offers an array of Japanese culture classes including martial arts, Zen meditation, ikebana, and language. As mentioned under the Featured Events section, the Japanese Culture Center will be hosting an Open House…the perfect opportunity to learn more about a topic you may not be familiar with. There also will be educational talks this month featuring Japanese speakers and even a JET Information Session right here at the JIC. So for those curious minds eager to learn more about Japanese culture or the job seekers interested in possible future employment through the JET Program, be sure to attend one or all of these events!

Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
Image courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Autumn

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